34 IMPROVED FISHERY HARBOUR ACCOMMODATION 



harbour, if judiciously placed, might effect this for two at 

 least, if not more, of these harbours, namely, Newlyn and 

 Penzance, and thus be of very great benefit, as well as to 

 shipping taking refuge only. 



It is to be hoped at some future time a serviceable 

 breakwater may be built, but the claims of St. Ives will 

 probably first be attended to, on account of its deplorable 

 condition. 



BRIXHAM, TORBAY. 



This is a very important fishing station, having about 140 

 trawling smacks belonging to it, and as many as 100 often 

 arrive in one day. It has a dry harbour, and an anchorage 

 outside, locally called the Sedge, where the trawlers have 

 heavy moorings laid down, and where, being sheltered from 

 the prevalent south-westerly winds, they ride safely enough 

 unless in a gale from the east and south-east. 



Torbay has always been a favourite anchorage for passing 

 vessels, when opposed by strong westerly winds. Being 

 about 4 miles wide at the entrance, of moderate depth, and 

 having good holding ground, it has always been much 

 frequented ; but being entirely exposed to gales blowing 

 between eastward of south and north, great vigilance is 

 required in watching the weather and wind. 



In the winter of 1866 a most fearful catastrophe occurred 

 in Torbay, through a furious gale suddenly springing up 

 from the most exposed quarters, which caught forty-two 

 vessels at anchor in the bay, awaiting a change of 

 wind from the western to the eastern quarter. The west 

 wind had fallen away to a calm, and the gale from the 

 opposite quarter caught these vessels before they had 

 opportunity to attempt to escape down channel. Two 

 schooners only succeeded in so doing, and of the forty, 



