Charlestown Harbour: A Tale of Storms, History, and Hope

Written By Neil Parker

NEWS from Cornwall - Charlestown Harbour Lock Damage

2nd November 2025

Charlestown Harbour is a beautiful historic harbour on the south coast of Cornwall that we’ve visited many times over the years.

Following the coast path down to the harbour on a sunny day is a wonderful experience. You can see the crystal-clear, azure Cornish water, listen to the seagulls, and make your way down to the ancient harbour where you can see the tall ships, and enjoy a well-earned pint of ice-cold Korev in the sun on the dockside.

So, it was a real shock to see this idyllic place thrown into turmoil when the harbour temporarily lost its battle against the elements in the Autumn of 2024.

Charlestown Harbour, Cornwall. Illustration by Neil Parker.

Charlestown Harbour, Cornwall by Neil Parker.

A Glimpse into the Past

Before I go into the recent drama, let's take a quick trip back in time. Charlestown harbour wasn't always there. The first mention of it was in 1354, when it was a tiny fishing cove, known as Portmoer. By the late 18th century, Portmoer was known as Porthmuer or Polmear, and Charles Rashleigh, a local entrepreneur, saw its potential. He envisioned a purpose-built port to export copper and china clay from the booming local mines and clay pits.

Charles, with plans provided by Civil Engineer John Smeaton, began the construction of its harbour in 1790. In 1799, Porthmuer was renamed Charlestown, and by 1804, the iconic outer and inner harbours, quay, and lock gate were complete. Sadly, John Smeaton did not live to see it, passing away in 1792.

The vital lock gate was designed to maintain a constant water level, allowing ships to load and unload regardless of the tide. This innovation was cutting-edge for its time and crucial for the harbour's success in handling china clay, copper, and other Cornish exports. It's this very lock gate that became the focus of recent events.

Charlestown harbour lock gate with tall ships in the basin

Charlestown Lock Gate before the storm of 2024

The Storm Breaks: September 2024

Fast forward to the night of the 29th of September, 2024. Cornwall, like much of the UK, was battered by severe storms, bringing high winds and powerful waves. Winds of 60 mph were recorded that night as huge waves hammered the already weakened lock gates. The existing lock gate, installed in 1971, was damaged in 2021 by Storm Darcy. This lock bore the brunt of the sea’s onslaught and sustained significant damage.

The consequences were immediate and dramatic. The damaged gate could no longer hold back the sea, and the inner harbour basin, usually a serene pool of deep water, became tidal. At low tide, the water receded, exposing the muddy bottom and leaving moored vessels stranded, sitting precariously or listing heavily on the silt. It was a heart-wrenching sight for locals and anyone who knows and loves the harbour.

 

An Urgent Evacuation and a Fond Farewell

With the harbour’s integrity compromised, immediate action was required. The primary concern was the safety of the vessels. A swift and coordinated evacuation began, with many of the resident boats being carefully moved to the nearby Port of Fowey. The Charlestown Harbour team worked tirelessly to facilitate this complex operation, supported by Fowey Harbour, which also provided temporary moorings. Teignmouth Maritime Services (TMS) provided a rapid engineering response, enabling the vessels to be moved.

Among the vessels affected was the beloved two-masted 1939 ketch, the Kajsamoor. Tragically, she took on water after a pump failure during the storm. She was built in Norway of soft pine, which is suited to northerly cold waters, but not at all suited to Cornwall’s warm water. Over the years, the warm water degraded her hull, and while she was refloated, the stress and her advanced age meant she was no longer seaworthy. It was a sad moment when the decision was made for the Kajsamoor to be dismantled, marking the end of her long life at sea.

The sunken Kajsamoor two-masted ketch in Charlestown harbour

The Kajsamoor after the storm

 

The Repair Mission: A Multi-Million Pound Endeavour

Even before the storms hit, the old lock gate was nearing the end of its life, with a major regeneration project already in the pipeline. The storm damage simply accelerated the urgency. The task ahead was immense: to replace the old, damaged gate with a brand-new, state-of-the-art solution designed to protect the harbour for decades to come, especially in the face of rising sea levels.

Teignmouth Maritime Services (TMS) arrived on the scene to help tackle the emergency. They safely lowered the damaged gate, allowing for the evacuation. Then, installing a temporary wave attenuation solution (a system that reduces the impact of waves) to protect the harbour’s basin entrance from further storm damage while the more permanent works were planned.

The full Lock Gate Regeneration Project is a colossal undertaking, costing over £2 million. This is being funded through a combination of private investment by Charlestown Harbour Ltd and a significant grant from Cornwall Council via the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

In May 2025, the old, damaged gate was painstakingly lifted out by marine engineering company Constructex, a complex operation requiring careful planning. The old lock gate weighed almost 50 tonnes and included around 20 tonnes of mud and other debris.

Now, in Autumn 2025, the focus is on installing the new, bespoke-designed lock gate. This modern gate has been crafted by Beckett Rankine Marine to be sympathetic to Charlestown's Georgian heritage while providing enhanced defence against storms.

The installation itself is a tide-dependent ballet of precision engineering, with further works on the winch systems and other mechanisms continuing through the winter of 2025. The full reopening of the inner harbour to boats is expected in early 2026, culminating in a major celebration for the project's completion around April 2026.

 

The story of Charlestown Harbour is one of resilience, a testament to the enduring spirit of this historic port and the dedication of those working to preserve it. The new lock gate isn't just a repair; it's an investment in the future, ensuring that this Cornish gem continues to charm visitors and serve as a working port for generations to come. We can’t wait to revisit this beautiful place and see the completed project, and we’re looking forward to again joining the summer visitors for a pint on the bustling quayside.

Neil Parker drawing Charlestown harbour

Neil Parker drawing Charlestown harbour.

 

The Old-English version of this article will appear in issue 2 of The Boat Cove Chronicle.

 
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Bibliography

If you wondered what Korev is, check out the St Austell Brewery!

Neil Parker
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