Page 42 - recollections of a life in Porthleven

Time meant nothing to us we would stop every so often and peer into rabbit
holes, hoping to see a rabbit.

At the end of the second downs we would get back onto the beach, known
as Loe Bar. We would walk down to the edge of the beach were the sea
would be breaking onto the shore. There we would look not for more money
but this time for doubloons from the sailing ship called the Anson.

t was great being out with Father. Dad was full of fun with a great smile on
his face at all times. Looking back on our walks I wonder what was going
through his mind. Losing his wife at such an early age, bringing up his three
children, and working five or six days a week. He was doing everything he
could for his young family.

Anyway, after looking for quite a time we never found any doubloons. But,
strangely enough we would always find a penny each, so we were never
disappointed (Dad made sure of that!).

While we were looking for the doubloons we were not allowed anywhere
near the sea. As local people knew, there is quite a large decline into the sea
and there is no way Margaret and I could outrun the breakers when they
broke.

On one occasion I remember we sat on the beach at Loe Bar and Dad told
us about the (so called) pirate ship, The Anson, how it was wrecked on the
bar in a south westerly gale. And, how the local people from Porthleven,
Gunwalloe and Cury rushed to the Loe Bar, not to save the lives of the pirates
but to plunder the ship for the treasure on board. Can you imagine how this
story intrigued Margaret and I, also the questions we must have asked our
father.

I was quite disappointed years later when someone told me the true story of
The Anson, I can’t remember who it was, maybe it was The Spirit of
Porthleven!!! (Please read one of my previous stories to learn about this
‘interesting’ character.)

The Anson was a naval ship which was wrecked on the Bar on 29 December