Centuries-Old Mystery: 18th Century Shipwrecked Sailor to Be Buried in Padstow Cemetery

Uncovered Remains Offer Glimpse into the Past

The remains of an 18th-century shipwrecked sailor, discovered in November 2022 on a cliff above Newtrain Bay, Trevone, are set to be laid to rest at Padstow Cemetery in spring 2025. The skeletal remains, believed to belong to a male aged between 25 and 40, were revealed by erosion along the north coast of Cornwall, a region known for its harsh winters and treacherous seas.

Radiocarbon dating of the bones indicates they most likely date back to the 18th century, with a potential range as early as 1580 but no later than 1800. The discovery has sparked interest not only due to its historical significance but also because it offers a rare glimpse into the life of a sailor from that period.

Signs of a Sailor’s Life

Analysis of the remains has revealed significant insights into the sailor’s life. His bones suggest he engaged in heavy manual labour, likely related to the strenuous tasks of pulling and hauling that were commonplace among sailors of the era. The well-developed upper body muscles further support this theory. Wear patterns on his teeth indicate he frequently held cord or rope in his mouth, a behaviour consistent with a maritime lifestyle.

The sailor also bore the scars of a life at sea. A healed soft tissue injury to his left shoulder and a possible healed injury to his nasal region, likely indicating a broken nose, were identified. These injuries paint a picture of a man who endured the physical hardships of life on the ocean.

Final Resting Place in Padstow

Following the discovery, the Coroner’s Office mandated that the remains either be reinterred in an appropriate cemetery or retained in a museum collection. Padstow Town Council has chosen to reinter the sailor in the town cemetery, a place already home to several unknown individuals, including sailors, from the early 1900s.

To honour this sailor and others who may follow, Cornwall Council is commissioning a special headstone for the grave. The grave plot will be reused for other storm-washed remains discovered in the parish in the future. The headstone project is being funded through local events and donations, with any surplus funds going to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

How to Get Involved

Cornwall Council is currently inviting expressions of interest from artists and masons to design and create the headstone. Interested parties should submit their proposals to Ann Reynolds at Cornwall Council by 12 noon on Wednesday, 18th September 2024. More details can be found on the Let’s Talk Cornwall website.

Martyn Alvey, the portfolio holder for Environment and Climate Change at Cornwall Council, expressed his satisfaction at being able to provide a proper burial for the sailor, while Patrick O’Keefe, Chairman of Padstow Town Council, emphasised the importance of paying respects to the unknown man who lost his life at sea.

The burial of this shipwrecked sailor not only serves as a respectful gesture but also as a reminder of Cornwall’s deep connection to the sea and the countless lives that have been lost to it over the centuries.