St. Catherine's Point, Fowey
There are two lighthouses marking the approach to the Fowey estuary. The estuary forms a natural harbour and the historic port of Fowey which handles exports of China Clay. However, Fowey was also home to local privateers with piracy and smuggling taking place. The Fowey Gallants as they were known, were allowed to seize enemy vessels during the Hundred Years’ War. A small castle was built around 1540 at St. Catherine’s Point on the western side of the harbour. With the increase in trade to Plymouth the harbour trade declined. The fishing industry then developed, but the privateers continued to carry out smuggling. A rail link and natural deep water anchorage at Fowey made the harbour ideal for exporting china clay.
A light to guide shipping into Fowey harbour was deemed necessary and work was eventually completed in January 1905. Trinity house refused to take over the light so the harbour commissioners completed the project and run it to this day. The short red lantern is only twenty feet high and sector lights mark the safe channel and is visible for ten miles.
Just off the headland marking the entrance to Fowey is Gribbin Head Daymark. The daymark was built to assist navigation to Fowey and around nearby Par bay.
Cornish Lighthouses Cornwall's Shipwrecks Fowey The Coastal Footpath