| Lyme Regis Harbour from the Cobb (picture by Malcolm Etherington) |  |
Lyme Regis Harbour from the Cobb
Photographer Description of Lyme Regis Harbour from the Cobb
This photo, taken in August 2006, shows the main harbour, with the Jurassic Coastline in the distance, and the old fishermen's cottages on Victoria Pier.The viewpoint is the start of the famous Cobb or harbour wall, which featured in the film The French Lieutenant's Woman and also in the television production of Jane Austen's 'Persuasion'
For more 360° panoramas of Lyme Regis please visit Lyme Regis Panoramas
Lyme Regis Harbour from the Cobb - Further Information
Lyme Regis has a long history with the sea. The sucess of the port depended on The Cobb, a small artificial harbour that has existed here from the time of King Edward I in the late 13C. This was first made of oak piles driven into the seabed between which stones were placed to make a wall. This version of the Cobb was washed away by a storm in 1377, which also destroyed 80 houses and 50 boats. The subsequent versions of the Cobb were made primarily of large boulders dropped onto the sea floor to build a new defensive wall. In 1820 the Cobb was totally rebuilt using a type of Portland Stone known as Portland Admiralty Roach, rich in fossil remains and very resistant to seawater weathering, quarried from Portland by Albion Stone. Captain Sir Richard Spencer RN carried out his pioneering lifeboat design work in the Cobb after the great storm of 1824.The port was very important economically for the area. Lyme Regis was a major port up till the size of vessels grew too large for the small port to handle. The most prosperous period for Lyme Regis port was between 1500's and 1700's. During this time merchants and sea captains traded across the world, particularly with the Mediterranean, West Indies and Americas. In the 18C the port began to decline as ships moved to larger ports such as Liverpool.
The town and port have seen a revitalization of fortunes with the advent of modern tourism. As can be seen in this panoramic photograph, which was taken at low tide, the port is still very busy, being used by both local fishermen and holiday makers alike. The port offers numerous moorings for sailing and other pleasure boats. The best way to see the Cobb is from the air, you can select the satellite view and zoom in on the Google map.
The port of Lyme Regis has played a part in other historically important events. In 1558 the first engagement of the British Fleet with the Spanish Armada took place off the coast of Lyme Regis. In June 1685, James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth landed in Lyme Regis from Holland with three small ships, four light field guns, 1500 muskets and 82 men in a bid to take the crown. This became the Monmouth Rebellion, also called the Pitchfork Rebellion due to the weapons used by the local farmers who joined Monmouth. After unsuccessful attempts to capture Birstol and Bath, the rebellion was crushed at the Battle of Sedgemoor on the 6th July.