Sheltered by the Past
Mullion had been a fishing cove for several hundred years but in the early 1700s a small seine fishery was set up with fish being processed at Newlyn. In 1793 it expanded with the construction of a number of large Fish Cellars for processing the fish catch.
In 1867, after a series of bad storms and resulting shipwrecks and drownings around Mullion, a public meeting was held in Mullion village with calls for both a lifeboat to be sited at Mullion and a Harbour of Refuge in the Cove itself.
The RNLI responded and funds were raised. On 13 September 1867 Mullion acquired a self-righting lifeboat named Daniel J Draper which was put into a newly built lifeboat house. However, there were many occasions when the storms were too strong for even the Lifeboat to be put to sea, and in 1908, the crew and villagers were informed that the Lifeboat was to be removed.
Work on the harbour began in 1891 and was finally completed late in 1897, at a final cost of £15,000. Lord Robartes of Lanhydrock contributed generously. It was to provide coastal protection and to provide support and an economic base for fishermen.
In 1928 the harbour, island, and fish cellars were bought from Viscount Clifden by Montague Meyer. By 1944 the harbour required extensive maintenance and repair. In 1945, 12 acres, including the harbour and Mullion island were given by the Meyer family to the National Trust, which took on the necessary repairs. The Trust still has ownership, control and responsibility for maintenance.
In October 1984 three locations within the harbour area were granted Grade 11 listed status; the two harbour walls or piers; the net loft, listed as a “harbour cottage” and the nearby Winch House
At the beginning of 2003 the National Trust indicated that “Mullion Cove may not stand the ravages of the sea much longer” and a survey in 2006 threw doubt on the future of the harbour. However, when both piers were severely damaged during the fierce winter storms of 2013–14 they were repaired and more repairs have been effected since.
Sheltered by the Past
Mullion had been a fishing cove for several hundred years but in the early 1700s a small seine fishery was set up with fish being processed at Newlyn. In 1793 it expanded with the construction of a number of large Fish Cellars for processing the fish catch.
In 1867, after a series of bad storms and resulting shipwrecks and drownings around Mullion, a public meeting was held in Mullion village with calls for both a lifeboat to be sited at Mullion and a Harbour of Refuge in the Cove itself.
The RNLI responded and funds were raised. On 13 September 1867 Mullion acquired a self-righting lifeboat named Daniel J Draper which was put into a newly built lifeboat house. However, there were many occasions when the storms were too strong for even the Lifeboat to be put to sea, and in 1908, the crew and villagers were informed that the Lifeboat was to be removed.
Work on the harbour began in 1891 and was finally completed late in 1897, at a final cost of £15,000. Lord Robartes of Lanhydrock contributed generously. It was to provide coastal protection and to provide support and an economic base for fishermen.
In 1928 the harbour, island, and fish cellars were bought from Viscount Clifden by Montague Meyer. By 1944 the harbour required extensive maintenance and repair. In 1945, 12 acres, including the harbour and Mullion island were given by the Meyer family to the National Trust, which took on the necessary repairs. The Trust still has ownership, control and responsibility for maintenance.
In October 1984 three locations within the harbour area were granted Grade 11 listed status; the two harbour walls or piers; the net loft, listed as a “harbour cottage” and the nearby Winch House
At the beginning of 2003 the National Trust indicated that “Mullion Cove may not stand the ravages of the sea much longer” and a survey in 2006 threw doubt on the future of the harbour. However, when both piers were severely damaged during the fierce winter storms of 2013–14 they were repaired and more repairs have been effected since.