Coverack facts for kids
Coverack (in Cornish, Porthkovrek, which means cove of the stream) is a lovely coastal village and fishing port in Cornwall, UK. It is located in the parish of St Keverne, on the eastern side of the Lizard peninsula. Coverack is about 9 miles (14 km) south of Falmouth.
This village is a popular spot for watersports. You can enjoy wind surfing, sailing, and diving here. Nearby are some rocks called the Manacles. Many ships have been wrecked on these rocks over the years. Because of this, the Manacles are now a favourite place for divers to explore underwater.
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Exploring Coverack's Surroundings
Near the South West Coast Path is Poldowrian Garden. This area has a very old settlement that was found in 1965. Archaeologists believe it dates back to 5500 BC! You can see some of the things found at the site.
The roads leading to Coverack cross Goonhilly Downs. This area is famous for the BT satellite earth station, which has huge dishes that communicate with satellites in space.
Coverack is also known for its special natural areas. "Coverack Cove and Dolor Point" is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a very important geological spot in Cornwall. It shows a nearly complete section where the Earth's mantle and crust meet. Other nearby SSSIs include Coverack to Porthoustock and Kennack to Coverack.
The village of Coverack is part of the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This means its beautiful landscapes are protected for everyone to enjoy.
A Look Back in Time: Coverack's History
St Peter's Church: A Village Landmark
St Peter's Church was officially opened on August 20, 1885. The Bishop of Truro led the ceremony. The church overlooks the cove and was built on land given by Mr Trevennen. It cost £500 to build. The church was made in an old English style, using local granite for the base and red bricks from Bridgewater for the walls. The village hall was also built in 1885.
The Brave Coverack Lifeboat Crew
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is an organization that saves lives at sea. They placed a lifeboat at Coverack in 1901. This happened after a terrible shipwreck in 1898. The ship, the SS Mohegan, sank on The Manacles, and more than 100 people lost their lives.
A special boathouse with a slipway was built in the harbour for the lifeboat. The large, all-weather lifeboat was removed in May 1972. It was replaced by a smaller, inflatable D-class lifeboat. The station closed completely in October 1978. This was because a faster lifeboat was given to the Falmouth Lifeboat Station nearby.
One of the lifeboat leaders from Coverack, Archie Rowe, was featured on a TV show called This Is Your Life in 1958.
Here are some of the lifeboats that served at Coverack:
- 1901–1934: The Constance Melanie was a 35-foot boat that could be pulled by oars or use sails.
- 1934–1954: The Three Sisters was a 35-foot, 6-inch boat with a single engine.
- 1954–1972: The William Taylor of Oldham was a 42-foot boat.
- 1972–1978: An unnamed D-class inflatable boat served as an inshore lifeboat.
Christmas Day Swim
Every year on Christmas Day, something special happens in Coverack. Villagers and visitors gather to watch volunteers swim in the harbour. They do this to raise money for charity, usually for Cancer Research. This fun tradition has been going on for nearly 50 years and has raised thousands of pounds!
The 2017 Flash Flood
On July 18, 2017, the village experienced a sudden flash flood. Heavy rain started around 3:00 PM BST. The roads became blocked, and large hailstones, about the size of 50 pence pieces (30 mm), broke windows. The coastguard had to use a helicopter to rescue two people who were stuck on the roof of a house.
