Summary
The Rashleigh fish cellar is situated at Port Gaverne it is the second of two that such structures used by fishermen to store pots, nets and sails. It is here that they processed fish caught packing them in layers of salt. The site includes Penny & Slaters Cottages.
Identification Images (0)
Monument Types
- FISH CELLAR (Late 18th C to Mid 19th C - 1800 AD to 1850 AD)
Description
The archaeological features (Fish Cellars 90324*0 & 90325*0, Slate Wharf 90326*0) present on the property are connected with the industry of the port.
Two fish cellars (90324*0 & 90325*0) are owned in Port Gaverne - "cellar" is a cornish term for a building used by fishermen to make and store their pots, nets, sails and gear. Previously, the cellars were also used to process the catch. The fish were packed in layers with salt and then pressed down with weights to extract the oil. This process took two or three weeks. The two cellars are the Union Cellars (90324*0), so called as they were built after the Act of Union was passed in 1800, and the Rashleigh Cellars (90325*0), named after a family of local landowners. The Rashleighs also started the pilchard industry at Polkerris, Menabily, in the 1870's. On the north side of the cove, the Trust owns the Old Slate Wharf (90358*0) and Harbour wall (National Trust 1986).
The site is a courtyard or 'Palace' of stone and cob former fish cellars with a smoking house, converted to part accommodation and part storage. On the northwest side a wide entrance with roofed double gateway leads into cobbled yard. The northeast (left-hand) range is single storied and open fronted to the yard side. the two storied southeast range is largely converted into 2 holiday lets named Penny and Salters Cottages. The front wall of the tall single stories southwest (right) range is weather-boarded with a row of double doors and a taller smoking house in the west corner which is now used for storage.
(VBS, Lundy Bay, 1989).
References
- SZC10850 - Monograph: Monica Winstanley. 1978. High Tide at Port Isaac.
- SZC10853 - Monograph: Monica Winstanley. 1984. The Story of Port Isaac, Port Quin and Port Gaverne.
- SZC10879 - Unpublished document: National Trust Vernacular Buildings Surveyor. 1988-1989. Lundy Bay, Cornwall.
- SZC10888 - Map: Anon. 1842. St. Endellion Tithe Map.
Other Statuses and References
- Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Associated Events
None Recorded
Associated Finds
None Recorded