Teignmouth Photo Walk 2
- Gethin Thomas
- 13 minutes ago
- 19 min read
In Part One of my Teignmouth walk I stopped here at the New Quay. This post features some shots of maritime details around the quayside, which is an interesting location for photos. It is a working quay but on my visit in January 2024 I was the only person in sight. I have added some archive articles about the granite trade, and some history around the site. Other activity included the export of local clay and fish.
Part of the history of the quay involves what is called today, the Templer Way. This is a modern trail from the quay all of the way to Hay Tor on top of Dartmoor. The granite was quarried at Hay Tor, and then shipped first by small waggons on a granite tramway, then by boat on the Stover canal, and finally by barges from the canal down the river Teign to the quayside here. From here it was shipped around the world. I have already photographed these, so this post also serves to complete that series.
There are two pubs next to the quay, The Ship and The New Quay. Both have a lot of history. This part of town was also the spot for shipbuilding and the selling and launching of boats.
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette - Saturday 26 January 1828
FOR SALE by Auction, at the New Quay Inn, Teignmouth, on the 20th February next, at 5 in the evening, the good BRIG
LOCHIEL
of Teignmouth, burthen 154 20 94 tons, with all her stores and materials as she lays on the beach of Teignmouth.
The above vessel was built at Elliott River, Prince Edward's Island, in 1826, is a strong firm vessel of large scantling, copper fastened, well found, carries a large cargo, sails remarkably fast, may be sent to sea at a moderate expense, and is well calculated for the Brazil, Mediterranean, Newfoundland, or any other trade her burthen may suit.
For Inventories and further particulars, apply at the office of Mr. JACOB BARTLETT, Attorney at-law, Teignmouth. 26th January, 1828.
Western Times - Saturday 31 December 1836
FOR SALE by Public Auction, at the New Quay Inn, Teignmouth, on Tuesday, the 3rd day January next, (unless previously disposed of, of which due notice will be given),
THE BRIG HOPE,
Register 96 Tons O. M., exceedingly well found, can be sent to sea at a very trifling expense, sails fast, stands and shifts without ballast. Now lying near the Quay, Teignmouth.
Sale to commence precisely at Two o'Clock in the Afternoon.
For particulars prior to Sale, apply to MUDGE and CO., Torquay; or Mr. Wm. MORTIMER, Shaldon.
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette - Saturday 17 March 1838
TEIGNMOUTH.
On Wednesday morning about 7 o'clock, a discharge of musketry was heard, which awoke many of our drowsy friends, and called them from their downy pillows to ascertain what was the cause, and being attracted to the beach, they soon learnt that a fine new Vessel was about to be launched from the well-known yard of Mr. Wm. Rendle. In a very short time there were upwards of two thousand of the inhabitants assembled on the new Quay, along the Beach and in all the Vessels alongshore, while the harbour also presented a lively appearance with the multitude of small boats; and the Vessels being decked out with their colours gave a very interesting appearance to the spectacle. About 8 o'clock the Brig glided from the stocks in a most beautiful style, amidst the hearty cheers of the assembled multitude. She belongs to Mr. J. Blake of Shaldon, Teignmouth, and is intended for the Foreign Trade, and called the "John Blake," 220 Tons new register, of Teignmouth, Wm Churchward, master.
Torbay Express and South Devon Echo - Friday 14 August 1953
Cannon Fire Starts The Teign Regatta
A SALVO of miniature cannon, marked the opening of the Teignmouth three-days Coronation and Port Centenary Regatta yesterday.
The day’s programme included ten sailing matches, a similar number of rowing events and to conclude an evening’s pleasure boat race round the bay.
At high water hundreds crowded into the resort’s many pleasure boats for the race over a seven-miles course. First boat home in the Local 12 class was Perseverance owned by Mr W Boyne while Messrs Hook Brothers’ boat Restless gained the honours with the BoT class.”
In Restless were four generations of the Hook family and at the helm was 93-years-old Mr W Hook.
On the quayside today is this boat winch, below, which was used by local boat builders "Hook Brothers" to pull boats up the Back Beach to their workshops on the New Quay. The "Restless" mentioned above, is one of a number of their boats still moored along Back Beach.
Unsurprisingly the quayside is made of granite. Here are the tell-tale signs of Dartmoor granite. Those light bars of colour are called megacrysts. I explain more about these characteristic features of the stone in my Ancient Stones post here.
Megacrysts are quite simply what they would imply, mega or large crystals. It is sometimes referred to as "Giant Granite" or "Big-Feldspar Granite". In geology, a megacryst is a crystal or grain that is considerably larger than the encircling matrix. They are found in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser - Thursday 22 April 1819
HEYTOR GRANITE
Architects, engineers, builders, &.C. are hereby informed, that they may now be supplied with a very fine and durable GRANITE, from the HEYTOR QUARRIES, in Devonshire; and this Stone has been pronounced by some eminent Geologists, Architects, and Builders, (to whom reference can be given) to be equal in colour and quality to the very best Aberdeen, and superior to other Granites that have been much used in London. If proof were required of the durability and imperishable quality of this species of rock, it may be found in some of the oldest Churches, Castles, &.C in that part of Devonshire near the Heytor Quarries: Specimens of which, with Sculptured Ornaments, clean and sharp, may be seen at the place referred to below.
This Stone may be advantageously and economically used in such Public Edifices as Churches, Gaols, Bridges, Docks, &.C. The Granite may be procured in blocks, either finely worked or rough, of any size, from one to ten tons each, either for fronts, foundations, bases, paving, &c.; or polished for columns. Steps may be had from 6 to 16 feet in length. From 100 to 500 tons can be shipped weekly from Teignmouth, Devonshire, which is the nearest Port to London whence Granite is obtained. From this circumstance, and from certain local advantages, the Proprietor is enabled to supply this Granite much cheaper than any of equal quality and beauty, from any other part of the kingdom.—Specimens to be seen, and terms and other particulars known at Mr. Turner’s, SS, Strand, opposite Southampton Street, London.
New Quay in Teignmouth was built in 1820 for George Templar to export Dartmoor granite, specifically Hay Tor granite, to London for the construction of the new London Bridge. The quay is itself built from Hay Tor granite and Plymouth limestone. It is approximately 40m wide and projects approximately 50m into the sea.
Morning Post - Friday 19 October 1827
BATH, Oct. 15
The Duke of Somerset has recently made an addition to his valuable estates in Devonshire, by the purchase of the Stover property, lately belonging to George Templar, Esq. His Grace's domain now extends from the borough of Totnes to the eastern extremity of Dartmoor Forest. This extensive purchase includes the canal made by an individual, many years ago, for the purpose of exporting the valuable potter's clay found in the neighbourhood to Teignmouth, and from thence to the Staffordshire Potteries; and also the celebrated quarries at Hay- tor Down, which now afford the most magnificent scantlings of granite ever produced.
Scantlings is a great new word for me. -
a: the dimensions of timber and stone used in building. b: the dimensions of a structural element used in shipbuilding —often used in plural
2: a small quantity, amount, or proportion : modicum
3: a small piece of lumber (such as an upright piece in house framing)
Morning Post - Tuesday 12 July 1825
DEVON HAYTOR GRANITE COMPANY.
(from a correspondent.)
The objections which are justly urged against most of the new Companies are founded on the speculative nature of their origin and the uncertainty of their prospects. These objections, however, cannot apply to the new Granite Company, which is one of the few public associations which stand on their own merits as bona fide working Companies.
The beauty and excellence of the granite obtained from the Haytor quarries are but little known, and consequently but imperfectly appreciated. The produce from these quarries has been submitted to the Royal Society, and pronounced the finest in texture and the most durable in quality that can be obtained. The quarries comprehend 3000 acres of granite, and are therefore inexhaustible, whilst the great perpendicular depth enables the workmen to obtain shafts of the largest and longest size that can by possibility be cut in any part of the world ! The contiguity of the Haytor Quarries to the metropolis, will enable the Company to afford a constant and quick supply of this valuable and superior granite. Hitherto the Quarries have been worked by an individual Proprietor, and although 480 men have been constantly employed, the supply has been quite insufficient to answer the demand.
Under these encouraging circumstances the Company has been formed with a capital of £200,000. in £50. shares, to develope the resources of these quarries ; and by the purchase or hire of shipping to convey the granite from Teignmouth to London and the chief towns, the employment of treble the number of workmen, and the increase of contracts to supply every public building. The quarries are situated at the village of Haytor, about five miles from the harbour of Teignmouth, and are now actually supplying granite for the erection of the New London Bridge, Christ's Hospital, and the British Museum.
Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser - Monday 05 April 1830
CORPORATION OF THE HAYTOR GRANITE COMPANY
GEORGE TEMPLAR, Esq. in the Chair.
Mr. John Bigg, the Secretary read the Charter to the Court, the principal features of which are eventual and restricted liability of the Proprietors ; the assets being first subject to the debts of the Company, and in the event of there not being a sufficiency to meet the demands, individual shareholders then are only liable to the amount of their respective shares.......
......A Proprietor inquired the amount of dues upon tonnage paid by the Company to the Duke of Somerset.
Mr. Bigg said that the amount of dues paid to the Duke of Somerset was about £1500 per year (£100,000 today); and that the larger the amount paid to his Grace, the greater the advantage to the Company, as the dues were regulated by the amount of business done......
The Chairman stated, that he had every reason to anticipate an increase of business; he had recently visited the works, and found 300 workmen employed ; and the improvements in the Blue Quarry would afford therefrom a supply of the best granite for ten years, and that every department of the Company’s affairs was in full activity, and properly conducted.....
....Mr. Field inquired what were the amounts of the debts due by the Company?
...Mr. Bigg said positively and officially that the debts of the Company did not amount to £500 (cheers.) He further stated that the Company had contracts for the finishing of the New London Bridge, for erecting a Lock and Dock for the Duke of Somerset, a contract for erecting a Pedestal in Windsor Park to the memory of the late King, an unlimited order for paving stones, and a great number of other orders. Thanks were voted to Sir Thomas Ackland and Mr. Bustard, the Members for the county of Devon, for the interest they evinced in the prosperity of the Company. Sir Thomas Ackland returned thanks.
I believe this to be the statue mentioned. The statue was announced in January 1821 by George IV, to commemorate his late father George III, who had died one year before. The statue depicts George III on horseback, in the style of a Roman emperor, wearing a laurel wreath and toga, riding without stirrups. It is mounted atop a large stone base which is a further 8.2 m high and measures 11.0 m × 8.5 m at its base. The stone base, designed by Jeffry Wyatville, is composed of flat stones with irregular rustication. George IV laid a foundation stone on his birthday in August 1829, but the statue was not finally installed until 31 October 1831, over a year after his own death. Wikipedia
Morning Post - Thursday 30 June 1831
TEIGNMOUTH
One of the Steam Navigation boats, of-100 horsepower, has been sent down here to tow 14 large barges from this place to London, loaded with blocks of granite for the new London- bridge. This steam-vessel is the largest that has ever visited this place, and has consequently attracted much attention.
This was the same bridge famously sold to an American businessman. The stones that started life on Dartmoor and which travelled by tramway and barge via New Quay Teignmouth were eventually brought back to Devon, to Merrivale a hundred and thirty years later, where they had part of their depth cut away so that they could be used as facing stones. They then travelled across the Atlantic by ship and through the Panama Canal to the port of Longbeach California.
In 1968, the bridge was purchased from the City of London by Robert P. McCulloch for the equivalent of £18 million today. However, McCulloch only had the exterior granite blocks from the original bridge cut and transported to the United States for use in the construction of a new bridge in Lake Havasu City, a planned community he established in 1964 on the shore of Lake Havasu. The Arizona bridge is a reinforced concrete structure clad in the original masonry of the 1830s bridge. The bridge was completed in 1971, and links mainland Lake Havasu City with Pittsburgh Point. The "rededication" of London Bridge took place on October 10, 1971.
Western Times - Saturday 06 October 1849
TEIGNMOUTH.
The Drainage Outlet.—We have received the following on this subject:—" Seeing that it is the intention of the Improvement Commissioners to carry out the parish drain to low water mark in the river, I would beg to remark that such a proceeding would be all but useless, unless the other drains coming from the higher parts of the town, and emptying their contents into the river in the same locality, be also carried out the same distance.
These various drains deposit their contents on the flats of the river, where, in consequence of the great quantity of building stone usually lodged there, the sediment from the drains forms an accumulation, at times, very offensive when left uncovered by the tide. This might be easily avoided, by carrying out the covered drains across these flats to the deep water. By what would be a greater improvement, building a seawall along the edge of the flats from the old to the new quay, a most valuable piece of land would be redeemed from the river ; a Splendid quay formed; a large extent of desirable building ground obtained ; and a great nuisance removed. As more quay-room is likely to be required at this harbour in consequence of the Haytor granite works having commenced, I feel assured that a good return for the cost of such an undertaking would not be doubtful."
In these two old maps seen below you can see the new area that was created.
Teignmouth Post and Gazette - Friday 20 June 1890
TEIGNMOUTH QUAY EXTENSION. Tenders have been opened for the extension of the Old Quay by the construction of a wall, extending from the red sandstone wall just completed, to end of the Gale's Hill sewer. The tenders were as follows......
Alongside the extension of the quay, the railway has now arrived. I will cover the railway in a later post in this series, but just note for now that the new siding to the quay is included in the top left of the map above.
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette - Thursday 15 October 1891
TEIGNMOUTH QUAY EXTENSION.
We hear that extensive works are to be carried out in connexion with the Quay at Teignmouth. Preparations are being made for the connexion of the Old Quay with Polly Steps. From this junction the railway authorities intend connecting their siding with the rails on the Quay. The plans are prepared ; the work will be commenced forthwith, and a great portion completed by May. This improvement will be a great boon, and add greatly to the commercial prosperity of Teignmouth.
Totnes Weekly Times - Saturday 20 March 1897
TEIGNMOUTH.
Teignmouth quay extension will be connected with the main line at Polly Steps of the Great Western Railway on the 1st prox.
Western Times - Tuesday 11 July 1899
It is rumoured that a big development of the China clay trade is anticipated to be done over the Teignmouth Quay extension in the near future. Applications for sites for stores have been made, and the metals will be laid at once so that trucks can be run direct from the pits instead of barging the clay. One merchant alone shipped over 20,000 tons of clay last year.
Western Times - Friday 10 April 1908
Teignmouth Post and Gazette - Friday 02 October 1914
A PLUCKY RESCUE AT TEIGNMOUTH.
A correspondent writes us to the effect that on the 24th September, Mr. Whitlock, of 3, Alexandra Terrace, was responsible for a plucky rescue, a child having fallen into the river Teign from the Quay. Our correspondent says that Whitlock dived between a ship which was lying there, and the Quay. His first attempt does not appear to have been successful, and he dived again. This time, on coming to the surface, he held the little child in his arms. At first sight the little one was more dead than alive, but was ultimately brought, round. To an eye-witness Mr. Whitlock, afterwards related how the accident, happened, but ,the facts do not appear to have leaked out until this week. According to our informant this makes the tenth life that Mr. Whitlock has been instrumental in saving, and the recognition of his brave deeds does not appear to have been very extensive. If this is the case it is unfortunate, for all plucky behaviour is deserving of reward. Our correspondent adds that Whitlock's work upon this occasion was one of the most gallant deeds one could wish to witness, and he is now suffering from a bad strain, and has to lay up.
Teignmouth Post and Gazette - Friday 12 March 1915
The s.s. Thordis, the captain of which believes that he succeeded in ramming and probably sinking a German submarine off Beachy Head last week, arrived in Teignmonth harbour on Wednesday from Plymouth to load clay for Manchester. She is lying at the Old Quay, and has already proved a source of interest to many people. Last evening the captain and chief engineer were " billed " to appear, at a Picture Palace; the latter relating the story of the ship's experiences.
Western Daily Mercury - Wednesday 07 October 1863
NEWFOUNDLAND COD FISH,
OF THE BEST QUALITY,
Per "King of Tyre,”
NOW SELLING NEW QUAY, TEIGNMOUTH.
APPLY TO
BURNETT AND ALLIS
Executors of the
LATE HENRY WARREN.
Western Times - Wednesday 28 November 1883
TEIGNMOUTH
CATCH OF SPRATS AND HERRINGS —Large as have been the catches of sprats during the season an exceptionally heavy haul was made on Monday evening, when the fishermen brought in 3,500 bushels (128,000 Litres). The heaviest take for the day broke the net. On the Quay the fish sold for 3s a bushel, but yesterday morning the price was reduced to 1s 9d. The fish were consigned by rail to different parts of the country, with the exception of those kept back for sale locally. At the same time the seine boats came in with 100,000 herrings, which fetched from 3s 3d to 3s 9d per 100. All Monday night the scene on the Quay and neighbourhood resembled a fair. Owing to the rapidity with which the fish were packed for conveyance there is a very small proportion of the huge cargo but will find its way into the markets. At the railway station extra efforts were made to meet the sudden demand of the fish buyers, whose consignments were all got away in good time,
North Devon Journal - Thursday 10 September 1874
TEIGNMOUTH.
NEARLY DROWNED WHILST BATHING
Another all but fatal accident occurred here on Monday. It seems that although there is always a very strong tide either running in or out of the river, comparative babies are in the habit of bathing, either from the shores or boats.
Monday two children, one called Boyn, and the other Wills, aged respectively about ten and seven years, took a boat and put off to the sand-bar in the middle of the river, called " Salty," and then proceeded to bathe. The first named, viz., Boyn, must have got out his depth, for, although he uttered no cries of distress, a gentleman of the town (Mr. P. B. Gibbs), who was fishing in his boat a few hundred yards from the spot, noticed he was throwing up his arms in a strange manner. Some few minutes afterwards he seemed turn on his back as if floating, and then he was lost sight of for a minute or two; again he appeared, but floating so low that Mr. Gibbs thought he must be drowning. Getting up his fishing lines and anchor he pulled with all speed to the spot, at the same time raising an alarm. He succeeded in grasping the lad's hair, and got him into his boat in an insensible condition.
Another boat then coming, Mr. Gibbs's boat was taken in tow, and during the passage to the shore Mr. Gibbs succeeded in partially restoring animation. The lad was removed at once to Mrs. Carrol's inn on the quay, where by careful attention on the part of Mr. Edwards, surgeon, he was brought round within the course of a few hours.
Western Times - Tuesday 19 December 1876
TEIGNMOUTH.
GREAT CATCH OF PILCHARDS.
The fishermen of this place had a rare time of it yesterday, bringing in boatloads of pilchards which they had caught very early in the morning, about two miles out beyond the Bar. The news of the catch occasioned a great deal of excitement — the beach being thronged by spectators, who were much interested in watching the operations. There were at least twenty boatloads of fish of fine size and quality; there was a brisk sale, purchasers coming up from Penzance, Plymouth, and other places, the news of the great catch having been "wired" to them. There was a demand for conveyances of all descriptions to take the fish to the station and elsewhere, men and horses being busily engaged in the work. The fish fetched from 14s to 16s a thousand—the total value reaching a very high figure indeed. The fishermen report the "catch" to be greater than has been known at Teignmouth for the last fifty years.
During World War II, Teignmouth's New Quay was involved in the war effort and suffered significant impact from bombing raids. The New Quay area, which was home to the Morgan Giles shipyard, was a key target for bombing due to its role in building and repairing war vessels. The town experienced "tip and run" raids, leading to numerous deaths, injuries, and widespread destruction of homes. Teignmouth was heavily bombed, with 79 people killed and 151 injured between July 1940 and May 1944.
With strict meat rationing instituted during the war there was much at steak.
Western Morning News - Saturday 15 May 1943
Forfeited Steak
HALF a pound of the best steak, representing a portion of a cut that had been unlawfully obtained, reposed upon a plate in Teignmouth Police Court this week. It looked good and when the case was over one could sense the question in the minds of many of those present as they gazed covetously upon it: "What is to become of it now the case is over?" The question was put to a Ministry Food official, who stated that in most cases food of this character was usually handed over to a hospital. Well nobody will quarrel about that - but that steak did look good and the vision lingers!
While Teignmouth has been protected from the open sea for more than a hundred years with its many sea walls that have been damaged and restored or replaced on a regular basis, latterly fears have been raised about flooding from the river side of the town, which was always at risk from high tides and river flooding combined.
Torbay Express and South Devon Echo - Thursday 28 October 1999
Flood fear in spotlight
Prince Charles voices concern
“For example in Teignmouth while the seafront has good defences, the town could be vulnerable to a swell from the River Teign which could flood the back of town. I shall be watching this conference closely and if there is cause for concern I shall be contacting the Environment Agency again to see what is being done”
The Teignmouth tidal defence scheme is a flood protection project designed to protect properties in the town centre, dockyard, and fish quay from tidal flooding, with works including new flood walls, flood gates, and revetments. The scheme was funded by the Environment Agency, Teignbridge District Council, and Teignmouth Town Council and was designed to protect over 600 properties.
Cumberland Pacquet and Ware's Whitehaven Advertiser - Tuesday 03 November 1874
FLOOD AT TEIGNMOUTH. The town of Teignmouth was inundated Sunday by an overflow the rivers Dart and Teign. The church was flooded, and the bridge washed away.
Western Times - Tuesday 03 February 1885
The lower levels of the town at Teignmouth were flooded yesterday morning by the high tide, and precautions had to be taken by householders in the several streets to prevent the basements of their houses from being submerged. A good deal of minor damage resulted from the flooding;
Runcorn Guardian - Saturday 25 January 1890
THE GALE.
Heavy and continued westerly gales caused the flooding of the quay at Ilfracombe at Thursday morning's high tide, and the sea entered many houses. The full force of the gale was felt at Teignmouth, and the town was partially flooded for some hours.
Teignmouth Post and Gazette - Friday 16 November 1894
TEIGNMOUTH FLOODED.
For just on three weeks there has been almost continuous rain falling. Notwithstanding the large quantity absorbed the freshets increased in volume day by day. The men employed by the Local Board have been kept busy clearing the traps and gullies and on Sunday there was a heavy downpour in the afternoon. During Sunday and Sunday night there was one-and-half inches of water fell. The water-shed of Little Haldon extending to Capt. Mitchell's house and the land below it measures just on three square miles, and an inch-and-bait of water draining from that area is said to be equivalent to 60,000,000 gallons and all this has to find its way to Gales Hill, with the exception of a relief water-course taking its way down Coombe and Broadmeadow, but the bulk of water comes towards the westward side and flows to towards the hills leading to Brimley Vale....
The damage done would scarcely be credited. The channelling was torn up and the roads were washed in deep trenches and ruts as if a steam plough had been at work. Bricks supporting the sidewalk were thrown about like corks, and cast iron gulley traps were lifted from one spot to another as if they were of wood, instead of metal. The destruction can only be estimated by the rushing water which eyewitnesses say came down like a small Niagara....
Gardens and houses suffered considerably and much damage was done; in fact, the oldest resident in the neighbourhood has no recollection of such destruction being wrought in so short a time. At the railway station there was a foot of water between the up and down platforms and the permanent way bore the resemblance of a canal rather than the main line to London....
It was fortunate there was little or no wind or sea, inasmuch as when the tide fell, the water flowed into the river. The water found an outlet at the Old Quay running in a big stream from the railway station through the cutting to the signal box. Here it was diverted and ran over the Quay into the dock by the weighbridge.
Totnes Weekly Times - Saturday 29 July 1899
TEIGNMOUTH.
At Teignmouth rain fell in torrents for two hours, accompanied by loud peals of thunder and vivid flashes of lightning. The lower parts of the town were flooded, especially in Station-road, Brunswick street, and Teign Street, where the water entered the front doors and went out the back.
Interestingly, not one of these regular flooding reports mentioned climate change over a hundred years ago. How many floods like these, reported today, would get published without warnings about climate change. I leave you to consider that. This walk will continue into the town, the station and then along the sea wall to the north.
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