To the casual observer Cornwall’s maritime history might be seen as only consisting of fishing, smuggling and wrecking. As the author clearly shows Cornwall was for hundreds of years a very active maritime community trading across the world. Of equal importance was the coastal trade; until the coming of the railways it was far easier to move goods by water than by road.

This maritime world has all but disappeared leaving the occasional yard, slipway, sailmaker’s loft or master mariner’s house as evidence of once vital and dynamic industry.

The industry may have all but disappeared but the impact of Cornwall’s maritime past has defined the location and shape of all the coastal communities.