Slate from the local
Delabole Quarry was shipped out
from Port Gaverne horses and carts carried the slate onto the beach and then it
was all loaded onto the ships by hand and packed with straw, many women helped
carry out this arduous task.
The railway was built in 1893 in Delabole which then saw the obvious decline in
shipping the slate.
There are also lots of old "salty sea tales" which have been passed down over the years. An especially interesting one relates to a section of the cliff as you come down the hill from Port Isaac into Port Gaverne which is known as "Moons Grave". This allegedly gets its name from a man called Mr Moon who was running from the Customs officers whilst carrying heavy kegs of brandy which he had acquired! Legend has it that it was late at night, dark and the pathway was uneven and narrow and Mr Moon fell to his death over the cliff!
The headland at Port Gaverne is known as "The Main" and can be accessed from the beach at low tide along the Quay or from the steps going up the hill out of Port Gaverne towards Delabole at high tide. There is nothing nicer on a summers' afternoon to sit on the Main and watch the dolphins playing in the bay (if you're lucky enough to see them!). You can continue walking all the way to Trebarwith or Tintagel if you're feeling energetic and fit (very steep in places).
Some lovely 1927 adverts - how times as changed!!
