Where Am I? No. 235 - Coast Scene

[JenB]

Keep 'em coming!   We don't "do" breaks!

We've already done two more this morning 

[cazza59]

Sadly I can't post anymore until tomorrow Australia time as there is a two per day limit (not sure how it works with the time difference, but it's more like a day and half).  There is still No. 234 to ponder over though to keep you going in the meantime! 

Caz

[KGarrad]

Has anyone been able to view the FindMyPast document which refers to Strathallan Castle, or is it the same as the 2001 booklet?

I was looking at the modern pictures last night to see what the objects we noticed actually were, the 'telescope' does appear to be a rock, but I've not been able to find the structure on the far shore. No sign of a Morrison's truck either 

It was a fun exercise!

Nick

I have downloaded the 2001 booklet by J.K. Qualtrough, A Perambulation around Port St. Mary.

There's nothing much to add?!

But I did find, just a little further west, the Perwick Bay Hotel, which had it's own swimming pool.
This hotel would be towards the back right of the original photograph.

My 1935 edition of "In Praise of Manxland" (Maxwell Fraser) offers no insights.

And my 1970 reprint of "The Place-Names of the Isle of Man" (J.J. Kneen) likewise offers very little?

St Thomas' Isle doesn't get a mention.


EDIT:
I found a newspaper report of court proceedings, involving importation of coal without a license.
Approx. 16cwts of coal was removed to "Strathallan Castle", formerly known as "Point House", Port St Mary.

Another lead?

[KGarrad]

I have in very good authority, that Point House used the rock for swimmers!
Too many rocks around their piece of beach. So they needed a suitable way to get into deeper water.

My drinking buddy grew up at Port Erin, just  2 miles away, and remembers it well

[Mike in Cumbria]

I have in very good authority, that Point House used the rock for swimmers!
Too many rocks around their piece of beach. So they needed a suitable way to get into deeper water.

My drinking buddy grew up at Port Erin, just  2 miles away, and remembers it well

More importantly, though, did Point House have a regular delivery order with a certain well-known supermarket chain?

[Nick_Ips]

Thanks for the additional information, it is all interesting.

Does anybody have an idea what this structure is - you can see it on Google just to the East of the rock with the bridge. I wondered if it was the position from where Cazza's picture was taken, or if it might be something to do with the mast like objects visible in the bottom right of the picture which we thought might be boats.

I've tried to look 'over the fence' on streetview, but it appears to be out of sight.

[KGarrad]

First chance I get, I am going down there, and I can check!

I am curious to see what's on the other side of the "diving" rock?

If you look along the coast, to the west, I think there's zig-zag path down to the beach?
Pretty sure that was where the Perwick Bay Hotel was.

[Nick_Ips]

I've just been looking at some postcard pictures to get an idea where the Perwick Bay Hotel was... it looks like it was a little further round the bay away from the zig-zag path and our rock. In fact one of the postcard pictures appears to be taken from the zig-zag path looking towards the hotel. I won't put a link here as the site is a commercial one, but if you google "Rp 1956 Perwick Bay Hotel" the first result should take you to the right one.

There are also postcard views of the hotel looking back towards the rock and the bridge.

What I find interesting is there is quite a substantial swimming pool/lido near sea level in front of the hotel (some colour images on google), but on the google satellite image there is virtually no sign of this, just a possible outline of a slightly greener patch of ground compared to the surrounding. I can see why they'd want to fill the pool in for safety reasons, but there was a lot of structure to demolish if that is what they did.

I also wonder whether the hotel was completely demolished, or whether part of it is still standing as the largest building nearest the sea at the end of the road called 'Perwick Bay'. The rooflines look similar to part of the hotel building on the old postcards.

But it does look like you'll be having a very interesting walk! 

[cazza59]

First chance I get, I am going down there, and I can check!

I am curious to see what's on the other side of the "diving" rock?

If you look along the coast, to the west, I think there's zig-zag path down to the beach?
Pretty sure that was where the Perwick Bay Hotel was.

While you're at it, can you tell me where this?    Written on the back is "IOM" and the penny has dropped that this possibly means Isle of Mann  .  This a more contemporary photo than the bridge photo, probably 1930 onwards.

Caz