Cornhill Wharf

Cadw's description

Location

The quay immediately SE of Cornhill, extending in front of Madoc Yacht Club.

History

Porthmadog Harbour was developed from the 3rd decade of the C19, at first by landowner and improver William Madocks (1773-1828). Madocks had reclaimed a large tract of land known as Traeth Mawr, that formed the estuary of the Afon Glaslyn, by building a Great Embankment (now known as The Cob) 1808-11. One of the fortuitous consequences of diverting the river was that it swept away sandbanks to leave a deep natural harbour ideal for serving the region's growing slate industry. The Act of Parliament for Porthmadog Harbour was passed in 1821. By 1824 the new port was already ready to receive vessels of up to 70 tons (71.12 tonnes) laden. The engineer was John Williams, and the contractor Griffith Griffith.

In 1833 Samuel Lewis said it was accessible to vessels of 300 tons burden, and noted that 'many good houses have been built, and a considerable trade is now carried on'. Imports were mainly timber, coal and lime. Exports were chiefly slate and copper ore. In 1825 11,396 tons of slate were exported, rising to 31,200 tons in 1840, 51,109 tons in 1854 and 168,947 tons in 1884, although the growth in volume disguised the decreasing profitability of slate exports. Shipbuilding also became a major local industry from the 1850s to the 1870s, with a further revival between 1891 and 1913, when Porthmadog was noted for building 3-masted schooners.

Cornhill Wharf was the original wharf, and was built to comply with the provisions of the Act of Parliament. The slate companies who purchased wharfage at Porthmadog were responsible for building their own quays.

Exterior

Cornhill Wharf is an L-shaped quay with battered sides, built of large dressed stone blocks laid in regular courses, and has 3 weathered stone mooring posts on the NW side facing Cornhill. At the end of the NE-SW arm is a return wall to the slipway known as 'The Beach'. The NW-SE arm continues in front of the present Madoc Yacht Club and terminates with stone steps. The Beach wall has a later stone parapet.

Reason for designation

Listed for its special interest as the well-preserved C19 quay forming the nucleus of Porthmadog harbour, and for its important contribution to the overall historical integrity of the harbour.