I remember this picture of the chippy that burnt out at the top of Causewayhead, best chips in the town at the time (before the fire, that is). You took the picture for the Cornishman, didn't you?
One of the many chip shops in the town – proof of the rumour that on his return from the New World Sir Walter Raleigh stopped off in Penzance for drink in the Dolphin. His lunch of a pint of mild and a serving of his potatoes, followed by a smoke was watched with interest by the townspeople who soon set up chains of tobacconists and chip shops locally in an effort to help with the sale of fish and attract tourists
I have no doubt that the gentleman came in to Penzance; in my mind it would be a foolhardy master not to have called first and last at this haven and port, unless it was under a command of secrecy or as part of military expediency. There are some maritime historians who feel that many masters would not allow this as it may result in a crew of drunks or even the loss of men and the ship may have had to continue with a reduced crew, placing the ship and contents at risk. But a small vessel (they were around 60 feet in length) only has so much space available for rations, and I feel that they would have taken advantage of any method of stocking up before a journey and to replenish after a long voyage.
The “loss of men” on visiting Tudor Penzance is understandable – after a long voyage the sight of all those pubs and the Sirens song coming from Ye Olde Wintergardens across the Prom must have tempted everyone on board to jump ship.
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