Porthleven harbour was built around 1814
And a working harbour is what it has been,
This was built as a safe haven in mind
Boats could shelter when the weather declined.
A sandbar was removed which was a great fete
Then a 465` long pier was built and an inner gate,
Built to protect the boats and fishermen from harm
When the weather was bad and the seas weren`t calm.
But the storms came and were so very fierce,
That all their defences they did pierce,
The gates were torn off and the defences crumbled
The wrath of this storm could not be bridled.
Seven boats were sunk but people rallied round
Camaraderie in this harbour is what was found,
They salvaged what they could at all cost
Before people`s livelihoods were totally lost.
The harbour has now been repaired and all is well
But what will happen next storm no one can tell,
The elements are a law unto themselves
All that we can do is try to protect ourselves.
