Minehead's Maritime Heritage Plaques

In 2014, as part of the Minehead Maritime Heritage Project, seven plaques were created and mounted on the harbour wall. They were unveiled by the Les Smith, the Mayor of Minehead on 11th July 2014 at the Minehead Harbour Festival.  The plaques depict the seven eras of maritime heritage in Quay Town, Minehead and the vessels, which would have been in use at the time.

A series of workshops and projects, lead by Halsway Manor with sea shanty specialists Tom & Barbara Brown and storyteller Alex Simson, were held with local residents and schoolchildren to create the artistic brief.    The plaques were then designed and made by artist Sue Webber and author John Gilman.  Sue made 3-dimensional clay panels, which were then cast in resin and bronze powder by local company S&S Exmoor.  

The First Millennium and the Currach

The Celts sailed in light but durable currachs.  These were made of hide and wicker, could be up to 60 feet long and were capable of long voyages across oceans. This scene shows a saint looking for somewhere to live his life in prayer, solitude and learning.  He chose the spot where St Michael's Church now stands.

The 1100s - The Cog and the Carrack

The scene on this plaque is the raiding party of Welsh pirates led by William de Berkley, which arrived off the coast of Minehead on 1st August 1265.  They were defeated and William de Berkley and his crew were captured by Adam Le Gurdon, who was the master of Dunster Castle garrison.  They were executed by public drowning in Minehead Harbour. Cogs were oak planked boats with a single square sail.  They developed from the currachs.  Portuguese and Spanish boatbuilders later developed the carrack, which had 4 sails and fortified forecastles and aftercastles at the bow and stern. 

The 1500s - The Galleon

Galleons evolved from the carracks and were common by the 1500s.  They were fully rigged and had deeper keels that the carracks.  This meant they were capable of long sea voyages but couldn't be sailed in shallow inland waters.

The 1700s - Tops'l Schooner

Ships paid to shelter in Minehead harbour.  A new harbour was built in Minehead.  Fees were levied to pay for the new harbour and for the removal of silt and shingle from the harbour mouth.

 

The 1800s - Fully Rigged Ships

This plaque shows Minehead Harbour when it was busiest with lots of herring boats.  Supporting industries e.g. ropemaking, sail making and carpentry were located nearby.

First World War - Steamers

Minehead is decorated with bunting and fairy lights during a July Gala Week when Battlecruiser HMS Furious and Destroyer HMS Vega where anchored offshore. On the Saturday night 3,000 people watched a light show.

Second World War - Lifeboats and Convoys

John Slade and Tom Escott are shown in the lifeboat Mouette.  They sailed to Blue Anchor Bay to examine a partially submerged object, which had been spotted.  It turned out to be a mine, which exploded as they approached it and they were both killed.  A minesweeper can be seen in the distance and Spitfires are shown in the sky.  A gasometer stands next to the lifeboat house.