Evidence of storm activity in the 1800s was recorded in archived newspapers and the area around Cornwall bore the brunt of those violent meteorological events. Shipwrecks were unfortunately frequent along the west coast of the Lizard Peninsula and in the Mounts Bay. Sailing ships were wrecked having become embayed and some were involved in collisions with other vessels in rough weather. Many lives were lost.
Both Penzance and Falmouth were often the first Ports of call for the long distance cargo ships sailing to and from from all quarters of the world. They would often return damaged and put in for repair, or call at the local Consular Offices for Orders as to which Port to make for with their cargo. They left Ports in Great Britain, Europe, the Baltic Countries, the Americas and Russia to travel half way around the world before returning, often up to two years later with their cargo holds full. Some were also full of soldiers and their families with their Military cargoes having been involved in battle while travellers and migrants packed ships bound for countries around the world.
In 1854 the Meteorological Office was established and run by Admiral Fitzroy. In 1861 he began to publish weather reports giving early warning of approaching storms. These reports were made available in newspapers but also to shipping at Ports around the UK.
In the 1800s there could often be over 200 sailing ships reported at anchor in the Mullion Roads and in some cases there were over 300 reported. At one time the number recorded was no less than 500. As well as ships from around the world there was a high percentage of coastal traffic with cargoes of coal, mineral ores such as copper, timber, stone, sand, clay and cement. There were even cargoes of Ice.!
In 1892 the constructor of the west pier, Mr. T Lang had commented that "...his firm had carried out many contracts but in no place had they had such difficulties to contend against as they had encountered at Mullion. Old Father Neptune seemed to have concentrated all his fury into that cove. However the work was now completed and he believed that it would stand the fury of the sea for many generations."
Little did he know what was still to come .
It was 1895 before the second phase of harbour construction began. Permission was sought to build a South Pier (or breakwater) in July 1895 and this construction was eventually completed by 1897. Although this construction was designed to provide further protection for boats and improve trade facilities there were still occasions when storms resulted in damage to boats within the Victorian stone harbour.
The early damage.
Violent storms have taken place around Cornwall for centuries proven by records of shipwrecks as well as in newspaper articles. The available meteorological records show how there were periods both in the 1800s and early 1900s of storm activity similar to that of 2013-2014. The weather of the 1860s for example produced widespread storms hitting the south west of England with many ships and lives lost.
Throughout the 1800s there were many calls for Harbours of Refuge to be constructed around the Cornish Coast.
During the early 1900s storm activity was strong and frequent in Cornwall. In 1905 for example storms in May and August hit the Cove and fishing boats were lost along with their gear. It had an adverse effect on the livelihood of the fishermen there. In October 1920 a thunderstorm, the like of which had not been seen for over 50 years, flooded the area including Mullion village and the river rising rapidly and running into the harbour. The volume of water coming into the culvert caused much damage to the north causeway of the harbour approach forcing a rebuild of that part of the protective harbour wall. Houses in the harbour were flooded out and possessions were washed out to sea.
Did such storms contribute to the demise of Mullion Harbour in the 1930s, a mere 35 years after it was built.?
A look at the Meteorological Records for the Summer of 1929 showed it to have been one of those glorious summers which are dreamt of by tourists, visitors and hotel owners alike. Good weather lasted into late September which was described in weather reports as being "unusually warm and dry", but later in 1929 conditions changed dramatically.
From late November until mid-December 1929 the South West of England experienced a series of violent storms and gales from the South West, and in the first 25 days of November 1929, a total of 10 inches of rain fell over Cornwall. On the 5th November a storm produced gales over Cornwall and over an inch of rain fell in Falmouth.
There was a further storm from the 9th and 10th of November with gale force winds on the coast, and on the 11th November there was a storm which lasted for 14 hours at Falmouth and 16 hours on Scilly, accompanied by 80 mph winds.
There were similar gales on the 15th and 16th November 1929. A deep depression settled over the Atlantic on the 18th November producing intense gales and heavy rain. The month of November 1929 was the wettest month for 60 years at Falmouth and St. Austell.
The weather in December 1929 followed the same course, being described as "... mild and abnormally wet and stormy" and " with excessive rain and persistent violent gales... which were... the most severe in coastal districts in the south and west of England and Wales."
On the night of the 5th December 1929 winds reached 94mph at Pendennis and on the 6th /7th winds at Scilly touched 111mph and in Falmouth 103mph.
The bad weather did not end there. It continued into January 1930. On the 12th there were winds recorded of 102mph at Pendennis and 97mph at Scilly.
It is no wonder that on 6th December 1929 the newspaper headlines were of "Hurricane Havoc in the West", "Ninety Mile Hurricane", "Damage on land and sea" and "Prospects of storm returning". The newspapers also described widespread damage to Harbours, sea defences, coastal structures and buildings as well as high value shipping losses. During this storm for example, Newlyn sea wall was breached, houses were flooded at Mousehole and elsewhere. The waves were riding high up the sides of St. Michaels Mount, the King Harry Ferry was sunk and the Saltash Ferry was set adrift. Ships including steamers were cast ashore.
The French built and owned Steamer Ornais II was in danger of being wrecked in the Mounts Bay and the Penzance Lifeboat was unable to reach her. Caught in the gale, she was unable to anchor and was blown ashore at Trebarvah Beach near to St. Michaels Mount. The Prussia Cove rocket apparatus brigade had to be summoned to assist.
On the 12th December 1929, at Porthleven, there was severe damage to houses and Public Buildings and part of the Institute roof was stripped. The wind went on to totally remove roofs from some houses and farm buildings there.
Was it any wonder that the harbour at Mullion Cove was damaged?.
Further storms and gales were recorded in the early 1930s, but not on the same scale.
In December 1932 a storm left 84 ships of all sizes sheltering in the Mullion Roads until winds ameliorated sufficiently for them to make headway. Food stocks on board became low for many of them and had to be replaced at shops in Mullion village- conditions not seen before in the 20th century but reminiscent of conditions in the 1800s which led in part to the building of the harbour.
Damage to the south pier at Mullion was to develop gradually during the course of the 1930s with an increase in damage around 1936 coming to a head in 1937. Without repair the south pier continued to suffer from repeated attacks from the waves.
It should be noted that this damage was almost identical to that which occurred after 2003.
Photographs of the Harbour during the 1930s do exist so it is possible to see the progression of the damage.
Frith Postcard Published 1931- Note damage to the seaward end of the south pier.
