THE SILTING UP OF THE CREEKS OF FALMOUTH HAVEN, 



17 



42 feet at low water, ord springs, the silt has so accumulated that 

 in 1855 the spot was dry at the same period, and at the lower 

 end, where in 1698 there was 30 feet, there was in 1855 only 

 18, showing lessened depths of 42 and 12 feet respectively, whilst 

 the bank between the main channel of the Haven and Ees- 

 tronguet ; has shoaled during the same period from 12 to 3 feet 

 at low water. 



Turning now to the main body of the Harbour itself, great 

 changes will be seen to have taken place. The map of Baptista 

 Boazio, in 1597, shows a long, narrow tongue running out from 

 Mylor Point, called " The Barre of Pencra." In 1681, this bank 

 is not shown, and the deep water between Turnaware and Mylor 

 lay on each side of the Haven, with " the Middle Bank" between. 

 At present this bank no longer exists, as the channel from 

 Turnaware curves through the centre of the harbour to St. Just 

 Pool. It is evident also that the finer matter in suspension has 

 been deposited in the more quiet portions, forming shoals, but in 

 other places the bed has scoured deeper, and on the whole it does 

 not seem that the harbour itself has shoaled at such a rapid rate as 

 its creeks, although it has been calculated by Mr. Thomas that the 

 silt brought down into the Harbour would form a layer 1 foot thick 

 in about 43 years, supposing it uniformly distributed throughout 

 the Havjn and its branches. But the condition of the various 

 creeks described plainly shows what serious mischief has taken 

 place and is still progressing, and as the more tidal water is 

 excluded the less ndll the scouring power become, the subject is 

 one deserving the serious attention of those entrusted with the 

 care of the Haven. 



