Wrecks & Rescue

In the past, the beach was a vital shipping link as there was no harbour at Perranporth

Boats would ground on the soft sand at low tide to discharge their cargo before loading up with merchandise to be transported elsewhere ready to leave on the high tide. This is how coal was brought to the area from Wales.

The sea and weather claimed many vessels. Hanover Close was named after a local wreck. The remains of the clipper ship La Seine, which ran aground in December 1900, can still be seen at very low tides near Droskyn cliffs.

When ships like the Voorspoed were wrecked, the villagers would risk their lives to rescue the passengers and crew, but saw cargo as a valuable source of free goods.