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Shipwrecks

South Devon Shipwrecks

Scattered along the entire length of the South Devon coast, are dozens of shipwrecks. Although most of the wreckage has been pulverised and disposed of by the sea, there are bits and pieces littered along the coast and in the shallow waters just beyond. Some of the better preserved wrecks become havens for seaborne wildlife and plants. Many more though, are mere shadows on the seabed, the sole testament to tragedies buried in history.

In a time before lighthouses, towns all along the coast used to survive by being 'shipwreckers'. This meant by acting as land-based pirates, lighting fires along cliffs, luring in unsuspecting ships. They would then wade out to the ships and haul in cargo and other treasures.

There have always been, and still are today, rumours of treasure in these wrecks. Occasionally the rumours turn out to be true, as with the find of over 400 gold coins off Salcombe, or the massive ingots of tin from a Bronze Age boat just beyond the Erme Estuary. There is also the well known story of a Barbary Coast treasure ship sunk near Gara Rock, but it has yet to be found.

Although fraught with danger, the rugged coast has been a haven for generations of "free traders" (smugglers to you and me) who made good use of their detailed knowledge of the myriad cove creeks and inlets (many were local fishermen) to land and hide their goods. The Pilchard Inn on Burgh Island and The Mount Pleasant Inn at Dawlish were notorious smugglers haunts. There are doubtless places along the coast where booty was landed and stored, then forgotten, so keep an eye out. There is still buried treasure here!