Merthen Quay Including Revetment Adjoining On South West

SW 72 NW CONSTANTINE

8/41 Merthen Quay, including revetment - adjoining on south west

II

Quay on the Helford River estuary. Circa early C19. Built of massive dressed granite blocks and with sides of pitched slate rubble with dressed granite coping and quoins. Rectangular on plan projecting into the Helford River estuary. The end wall is built of massive dressed granite blocks, almost ashlar. At the centre of the outer end there is a narrow recess with a circular opening at the top for access from the top. The circular opening is surrounded by massive pieces of dressed granite with intricately keyed joints. The blocks around the opening are cantilevered out at the end of the quay. Presumably this arrangement is for loading at low tide. The sides of the quay are built of pitched slate which has partly eroded away causing the massive granite coping to fall. The granite coping is secured by iron staples. Adjacent on the west side of the quay a revetment of dressed granite blocks set vertically into the foreshore. The quay may have been associated with the limekiln which is situated immediately to the north. Henderson mentions foundations of a small circular building near the quay which he suggests may have been a kiln for burning kelp. Source: Charles Henderson. A History of the Parish of Constantine. Page 117.

Listing NGR: SW7316226036