Open Roof and Eight Legs
Brown Stone and Dartmouth Slate Leave Their Mark
The entrance to the landlocked haven of Dartmouth estuary is flanked on either side by high cliffs and always has been difficult to detect from the sea. Since the middle ages many attempts have been made to aid mariners with their navigation which have included a succession of lighthouses, buoys, landmarks and beacons. It is no coincidence that one of the remaining and most prominent was built in 1864.
You may recall from a previous article of mine that on the 10th August 1864, the first passenger train arrived at Kingswear Station. Many more would follow as ships waited in the harbour to take the passengers as far as New York, the Middle East and South Africa. As well as passengers, the international transfer of mail became an important part of Dartmouth’s commercial activities with letters and parcels being transported by rail from London before being shipped to other continents.
Many local lessons were learned during the port’s early times as a mailing station; not only the correct positioning of the lighthouses and buoys at the harbour entrance but the need for a suitable daymark (a prominent navigational marker) on the heights above Kingswear to assist navigation. Two earlier applications for this important aid (in 1856 and 1860) had already failed. The first one involved plans for a daymark commemorating Sir Robert Newman and the second one in recognition of the contributions made to the area by Arthur Holdsworth, a resident of Kingswear for forty years. The potential loss of Dartmouth as a commercial mailing centre however, was the driving force behind the third successful application from the newly formed Dart Harbour Commissioners which was chaired by Charles Seale Hayne (who was also a Director of the Dartmouth and Torbay Railway Company).
The DHC were eager to implement the plans as soon as possible with three board members agreeing to loan the necessary funds in anticipation of subsequent Government funding. The land to be used was situated at Brownstone on Charles Seale Hayne’s estate and would be leased from him. According to the minutes of the DHC the building costs were surprisingly high at £523,11s 8d.
When initially completed, the octagonal 80 foot construction of Dartmouth slate was roofed and tiled, but as the position was so exposed the roof blew off three times, so it was thereafter left as it is today, open to the elements. The seaward elevation was also painted in alternate fifteen foot high bands of whitewash and black coal tar but this “zebra” effect was later abandoned.
Although in these days of satellite navigation, the daymark’s usefulness has diminished, this grade 2 listed building must have been a major benefit to earlier seafarers. Approaching skippers could now look out for the daymark (clearly visible on a good day at 20 miles) and putting that on their starboard bow and the church tower of Stoke Fleming on their port bow, the inconspicuous entrance to Dartmouth would gradually be revealed.
The daymark can be easily accessed today by walking a few hundred metres from a car park at Brownstone (which in turn is well signposted from the National Trust property Collaton Fishacre) Alternatively, for those with more energy, a small diversion can be made from the Southwest coast path which leads all the way from Kingswear to Brixham.
From my visit, two aspects surprised me. Firstly the tower is much bigger than I thought and secondly, despite its practical function and construction, its tapering lines and octagonal shape harmonise with the open skyline. The construction certainly made an impression on me and I would suggest that you also take time out for a visit so that it leaves a mark on you! u
First Published August 2009 By The Dart