Another fabulous Bude maritime history article by Julie Satchell: Barnabas Stanlake Shazell & the Joseph and Thomas During a weekend wander round the graveyard of St Michaels and All Angels Church, looking for gravestones of shipwrecked sailors, an unusual name caught my eye. ‘Barnabas Stanlake Shazell’ drowned at Saunton in […]

Thanks very much to Karina Price for these photos from her grandparents in response to our request for good news/happy things. Can anyone date any of them?             c

At the Breakwater on an afternoon an hour or two before high tide, so picture the scene: AS we get nearer to it, the deep harmonious roar of the waves becomes ever more impressive. The tide has reached only half way up its sloping side, so in crossing to Chapel […]

Thanks to one of our invaluable sponsors, musician Aidan B, for sharing a pamphlet originally written by Capt John E. Acland in 1914, which has provided some lovely insights into Bude. As you know, from my books Secret Bude, Bude Postcards and Bude Through Time, I have a thing about […]

We’ve all read about the wreckage of the Bencoolen in 1862. Indeed, there are many reminders around Bude, such as the Bencoolen Bridge, the Bencoolen Inn, and even the Bencoolen Wreckers. The Bencoolen is the most famous of all the Bude shipwrecks. It would have been a  dramatic sight in […]

The harbour in 1908 – the smack Mary of Bideford, 36 tons, Capt Mitchell, waits for the tide.

Chapel Rock and the harbour in the 1880’s; a smack waits for the tide to enter the canal. In the background there is no development yet at Crooklets.

The harbour in the 1900s, with 3 ketches & a schooner awaiting entry to the port.

The harbour in the 1900’s, showing Ceres waiting for the tide to enter the canal.

The harbour in the 1900s; the schooner Annie Davey and the ketch Stucley waiting for the tide. In the background the Grenville Hotel has not yet replaced Marine Terrace.