Interesting things found on the beach

In April 2021, R. J. commented: 'After the recent storm, the area between Blackpill and Norton, looks as if most of the mud has been washed away and a large area of stones has been revealed. The remains of the large rectanguar structures are more exposed. Opposite the West Cross hotel there appears to be a long curved training wall of stones, which would have been at the base of hazel stakes and various other items are showing as well.'

Also in April 2021, Alan Muxworthy sent photos from brothers Colin and Robert, of the beach between Norton and Southend. He says, 'I think one clearly shows a pattern of a stone fishing weir, as indicated by a map on your website.' View map: : Fishing Weirs in the Parish of Oystermouth >

We are grateful to these contributers, as we know the sand rises and falls according to the tides, every fortnight and will be uncovered and disappear again.

Note: Recently revealed Fossilised tree trunk details expected soon

'Robert examining the remains of what could have been a wall or a huge fishing weir.'

'This shows the area looking towards the shore to give an indication of scale.'

'The last photo clearly shows the remains of wooden supports for a system of fishing nets. I believe these were very adjacent to "The wall"', Alan

Can you help?

This mysterious object, revealed offshore, between Norton and Oystermouth, has been the cause of much discussion If you can help?

On 10 April 2020, Richard Franklin asked:

Can anyone tell me what this is?

In November 2012, colleagues studied the object and returned with these photos.

As well as more of a wreck in January 2021,

Other photos above, were taken from Mumbles Hill.

Suggestions have included:

  • The remains of a large ship.

  • The base of a Mulberry Harbour

It has been reported that several sections for the Mulberry Harbour were constructed at Swansea towards the end of the last war,

A suggestion also included:

  • The remains of the Oyster Perches. But that is not thought possible, as the Oyster Perches were built of stones and situated near the RLNI Inshore Lifeboat Station, near Mumbles Pier. Also, the object is not in a convenient situation for temporary storage of Oysters and it is doubtful that any construction would be made to store Oysters in a metal construction, when stone quarries were close by.

Remains of the Oyster Perches, near Inshore Lifeboat Station

Carol Powell wrote -'Each oysterman would then tip his day's catch into his 'perches' which were divisions, measuring some 16½ square feet, formed by stones, marked with a floating log, and which were his and his alone. There he would leave them to feed until they were required for sale either locally or to be transported on the Mumbles railway for sale elsewhere'. More: The Mumbles Oyster Trade

The Mumbles Train and the Oyster Perches are shown on a postcard, c1900
Oyster Perches shown on the 1844 Tithe Map

More Interesting things were found on the beach:

Please contact the editor, if you would like to add to the discussion