words by Trevor Smitheram
Where to begin with the story of our great town? Hayle, situated on the North Coast, derives it’s name from the Celtic word for Estuary. There is historical evidence of ships sailing as far as Porth Columb - further up the St Erth River - with travellers disembarking overland close to St Michaels Mount and on to Europe.
A recognised trade route dating back many years. Certainly an important discovery was made around 1843 at The Plantation, known as Carnsew Fort (opposite Jewson’s) when workmen digging a road for local businessman Henry Harvey discovered a granite slab, engraved with an inscription believed to indicate that this was the grave of Cunadie who “fell asleep” and was buried here during the 5th century.
Our main focus is the huge part Hayle played in the industrial revolution.
Formerly Hayle was two towns - Foundry and Copperhouse. The Cornish Copper Company came to Copperhouse in 1756 from Camborne, smelting copper from local mines, using twenty six furnaces for the process. Local black blocks, common particularly on the King George V Memorial Walk were produced here from about 1765. Even in those times recycling was to the fore, as many houses in Copperhouse were built using these “scoria” blocks. Those working for the firm were given the blocks free of charge to build their homes - but the church had to pay for them!
The channel now adjacent to Home Bargains, was fabricated from scoria blocks in 1769, enabling ships to dock and unload. The Copper Company closed in 1819, continuing the name and smelting iron until closing altogether in 1867, with most of the works purchased by Harveys of Hayle, based at Foundry.
Harveys came to Foundry in 1779 from Carnhell, ceasing trading in 1904. The most famous connection for the Cornish Copper Company was the fabrication of the chain links for the Clifton Suspension Bridge, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
They famously built a total of 79 ships at South Quay (now home to ASDA) and cast all the parts for the first high pressure road carriage - our very first car! This was designed by Richard Trevithick, making its maiden run December 4th 1801.
The largest cylinder ever to be made in the world at 144 inches in diameter and weighing a mighty 25 tonnes was successfully cast by Harveys of Hayle. There is more of this to come in future issues of Curnow’s Hayle!
Hayle has been home to many other industries. J & F Pool based at Copperhouse from 1848 until 1998 The Electric Works on North Quay, built in 1910, producing electricity in 1911 and closing in 1976. It’s famous twin chimneys were demolished in 1981.
The Associated Ethyl Company, later Associated Octel, was also situated on North Quay from 1938 to 1973. Originally producing an element from warm sea water used by British Second World War planes as an anti knock device. The Esso Petroleum Company was also homed on North Quay from the 1920’s until late 1970.
Elsewhere in Hayle was the Ellis Brewery, delivering beer to over 50 establishments and building The Cornubia Hotel in 1866.
The Dynamite Works, situated at Upton Towans, operated from 1888 to 1920,producing cordite for use in World War One, together with other explosives.
The first Hayle railway was situated on what is now the Isis Gardens at Foundry (under the viaduct) built in 1837 and travelling all the way to Tresavean, near Lanner.
The first railway bridge in Hayle was designed by I K Brunel with the present bridge constructed in 1888.
So, Hayle - a world powerhouse in its time. A truly historic town!
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