Porthleven Cornwall: The historic fishing village
The historic Cornish village of Porthleven is the UK mainland’s most southerly working port and is just waiting to be found and enjoyed by new visitors. After the wreck of HMS Anson on Loe Bar during a ferocious December 29th 1807 the harbour was constructed. A hero on that day, a man by the name of Tobias Roberts, swam through violent dangerous seas out to the Anson. They created a lifeline for those on board by Tobias tying a rope around his-self, enabling him to create a link between ship and shore. Over one hundred including the ship’s Captain Lydiard perished, even though he successfully reached the ship.
Appalled by the loss of live and to avoid such an incident in the future, along with locals alike, Tobias Roberts battled with the Admiralty to ensure there was a harbour of safe refuge. Being a determined man, Tobias got Porthleven Harbour constructed and then improved at a later date. Home to a much reduced number of fishermen, no commercial traffic of any size and a small number of pleasure craft, it took two acts of parliament before the harbour became what it is today.
However, the harbour still plays a major role attracting visitors from all over the world. Of course the village received the attention of the media when it was hit by a hurricane in December 1989. Television coverage was worldwide, showing the destructive storm with its monster waves spraying seaweed and shingle over 72 feet or 22 metres, the height of Porthleven’s clock tower, part of the Institute Buildings. Over the years village has attracted film and television programme makers helping to promote Porthleven’s natural unspoilt attraction.
