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A brief history of Salcombe

Salcombe is a place really known for its waters. People in the area use the waters for a living. A lot of activities have something to do with water, too. Seafaring, shipbuilding, boats, fishing and some piracies are believed to be the major occupations until about a hundred years ago.

The oldest local settlements are also found to be placed near the water edge and not specifically on the edge to avoid direct danger from the sea. There are pirates who are in search of temporary homes, supplies and slaves during the ancient time, so these are some of the dangers local people were avoiding.

The name Salcombe was first identified or read in 1244. This is quite late compared to the neighbouring settlements’ appearance in writing. Nevertheless, the place has been inhabited for a long time. There is little record before 1244 and this can be attributed to the illiteracy of the inhabitants.

In 1403, Salcombe was raided by people from France which is the same group who burnt Plymouth. Before this, specifically in 1377, Salcombe was given a grant for its fortification. Sadly, nothing has been made or done during this time.

The relationship between Spain and England has been known to deteriorate in the 1550s, and this time, new records of harbour and town have been made available. Surveys were also done to identify the number of ships in Salcombe and Plymouth.

The Salcombe harbour is believed to be a coastal defence of Henry VIII which has decayed especially in the 1640s. Later on, specifically in 1644, the fortification was restored and garrisoned by Sir Edmund Fortescue. It was then renamed Fort Charles.

Smuggling and fishing are believed to still exist before the mid-18th century. The Moult was built in 1764 and was described as a “mere pleasure box.” This somewhat changed the life and living state of the people in the area.

In the 1790s, shipbuilding and ship owning became popular and more significant even though the town has been known for its boat making. Trading also became more prominent, and fruits were mostly delivered from Spain and the Azores. However, around 1875, the trading industry slowly diminished due to the iron and steel industry. There is also a lack of capital which contributed to this decrease in activities.

On a brighter side, the collapse of the ship owning and building was not the end for Salcombe. Many tourists have been visiting the place since the 1700s, so tourism is also booming in the area. Large houses were then built together with hotels to accommodate the growing number of visitors in the area. A railway was also built and shipyards were replaced by buildings.

In 1869, the lifeboat station of Salcombe was founded and the third lifeboat came in 1904. One of the most impactful disasters Salcombe experienced happened in October 1916. This was when the Great War of 1914-1918 was happening. Many townsmen were in the army and some have already died.

Salcombe was considered an exclusive holiday resort when the First and Second World Wars happened. The beautiful scenery, climate and spots in the area continuously attracted guests. There were clubs established in the area, too, to attract the groups of retirees who want to spend their remaining time doing relaxing activities.

Sadly, the Second World War also left the town in a devastating state. Bombing raids were done and casualties were more than what the authorities can count. New buildings were also destroyed but were rebuilt to aid the economy of Salcombe.

The people of Salcombe took some time to know peace once again. Tourism was put on hold because travel was difficult after the war. When the things came back to normal, several tourists once again flock to the city and the tourist areas flourished once again.