More information : (SX454696 Newquay [NAT] (1)
The deserted village and port of Newquay was built in 1755 by John Edwards as a small quay beside the R.Tamar to handle agricultural products. It expanded during the mining boom of the 1840's only to fall into decline by 1900. By 1950, it was totally deserted and its buildings are now ruinous. The remaining structure include a limekiln, built in 1774, with an incline plane [SX46 NE 23], a water-wheel pit and leat system [SX 46 NE 24], a sawpit [SX 46 NE 25, tiled or paved quay with ore chutes above, a row of cottages [SX 46 NE 26], smithy [SX 46 NE 27] and inn [SX 46 NE 28]. The quay, Northwards from the inclined plane was paved with slabs. The central quay area opposite the limekiln originally contained the dock built in 1755, but this had silted up by 1884. A warehouse, built by Edwards in 1755 at the dockhead had been removed by 1858. The area just North of the dock contained coal stores, an office and yard from 1832 until after 1884, but no trace ofthese now remains. The tiled Southern ore quay, extending from the blacksmith's house to the powder magazine [SX 46 NE 29], was almost certainly constructed in 1856, the quay structure, made of horizontal bundles of stakes to provide a firm base, was faced with squared vertical timbers held in position by iron straps.
It appears that the original quay was repaired and extended between 1774 and 1786, a second dock being excavated to the South of the original dock, but this additional dock was filled in between 1817 and 1832. (2-4)
A rapid examination of air photography (5a) shows the remains of Newquay, from the sawpit (SX 46 NE 25) south to the blacksmith's house (SX 46 NE 26). (5) |