"The sea has played a greater part in the
life of the Cornish people than the land on which
they dwelt" (Unknown quote)
Taken from Pendennis Headland, just outside the town looking back at Falmouth.
Falmouth is a beautiful maritime town that lies at the mouth of an estuary, its large harbour is the third deepest natural harbour in the world and has seven rivers running into it. These rivers run inland to several important towns. The town lies within two headlands - Pendennis Point, which is watched over by Pendennis Castle, and the Roseland Peninsula, which houses St. Mawes Castle (the sister castle to Pendennis). Henry VIII recognised the strategic advantages of Falmouth and built the two castles to protect the estuary (known as the Carrick Roads) that runs from the sea up to Falmouth and beyond.
During the Civil War, Cornwall was staunchly Royalist and the Parliamentary forces burnt down Arwenack House. Pendennis Castle survived a five month seige before Oliver Cromwell's forces overcame the defences. So impressed were they though at the resilience of the towns folk, upon defeating them, the garrison inhabitants were allowed to go free.
In 1661, Charles II granted the town it's charter on the condition that a church was built and dedicated to his father. The church is called King Charles the Martyr and is one of only five churches in the country to have this name. In 1688, the Post Office decided that Falmouth was to be the base for its mail boats - known as the Packets. Because of the Packets Falmouth becae one of the most important ports of the world, and Falmouth's industries became ship repairs (for the boats) and hotels (for the crew and passengers that the Packets sometimes carried). The Greenbank Hotel was built for such passengers. Falmouth was also popular with smugglers with brandy, gin, rum, tobacco, tea and wool being smuggled ashore up and down both the Helford and Fal Rivers. Due to the trade from the sea, Greenbank Terrace was built by and for Georgian sea captains.
In 1842, the Packets moved to Southampton. However, in 1858 the Falmouth Docks Company was formed. In 1859 the Falmouth Docks Act was passed and a railway was built a few years later - these ensured the success of the shipping company.
Falmouth was secretly important during the Second World War, with the Carrick Roads having 100 or more vessels anchored there at any one time. The docks and the town were bombed in 12 raids, with 31 people losing their lives. In 1944, the docks were a major embarkation point for the D-Day landings.
Falmouth is a very popular place with both locals and holidaymakers with its beatiful scenery, interesting history and excellent seafront.
PS Actions:
Rotated to correct wonky horizon
Cropped, resized
Auto Levels
Unsharp Mask
Border Added
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Place: 97 out of 176 Avg (all users): 5.3110 Avg (commenters): 6.4286 Avg (participants): 5.1263 Avg (non-participants): 5.5652 Views since voting: 1116 Votes: 164 Comments: 7 Favorites: 0
Composition: Subject Placement, Cropping, Background 9
Technical: Focus, Exposure, Lighting, Processing 10
Appeal: Is it Interesting, Motivating, Etc.? 9
How well does it meet the challenge: 9
Total Averaged Rating 9 Autool
That has to be close to a record for the longest tittle. I think you did a very good job capturing the feel of the town. I would love to see what this same view looks like closer to dawn or duskâ€Â¦8
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