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Ordnance Datum |
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Thursday, 17 August 2006 |
Q. I have recently thoroughly enjoyed a week's holiday in Cornwall; my first visit.
However, I was disappointed to see that your town has not made any use of its historic position of being the location of the country's "Ordnance Datum"; the height datum for all the Ordnance Surveys mapping.
The tide gauge is of course situated in the Tidal Observatory on the south pier at Newlyn. The Datum was calculated from hourly readings of the sea level recorded on an automatic tide gauge from 1 May
1915 to 30 April 1921. The Observatory Bench Mark is
some 4.751m above the datum.
On inspecting the area, I found several buildings at the end of the pier, but no signs, no plaques only locked, grubby buildings. The Ordnance Survey probably has no connection with the present day site, but I would have expected either the Tourist Board or Newlyn's own web-site to have some information of it's existence.
Historically, the site has importance. Might I suggest that the site be investigated and information on its existence and history be part of your lovely town's tourist trail.
You are quite right we should make more of this and I will see if I can initiate something appropriate. There isn't much to see but maybe a plaque on the seawall would be suitable. There is a mention of the Ordnance Datum in the booklet 'The Newlyn Trail' (p.31) and in my own 'Brief History of Newlyn' (pp 44-45). I will write something appropriate for the history section of this website. Margaret Perry
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As children we used the stone as the "throne" for the crowning of the May Queen. One Queen I remember was Joan Tonkin who lived in Charles Street. I would also add there is very little information on the Devils Rock. My Uncle Richard Kylanack Cocks did wright a small piece but having spent many hours playing there I have more information to add.