The Gear is a standing rock in Mount's Bay, near half a mile offshore. It has been known as a shipping hazard for centuries. Since the inundation of the 11th century, it has, at normal tides, been a submerged rock, which is exposed at normal low tides to a height of 6 feet above water. Below water, there is another 26 feet of rock to the sea bed. In the interests of lives and commerce, the rock was daymarked in 1826 at the direction and expense of Henry Penneck, Mayor. There is now a replacement beacon, set by the old stump.
