In Cornwall we have a special kind of geological feature that throughout history has given the Cornish folks bucket loads of joy. It is the natural phenomena known as the Logan Rock.
The word logan comes from the Cornish ‘logging’, (pronounced log as in dog) meaning rocking and refers to a number of rocks which through some a happy accident are on a pivot and can be rocked despite their mighty tonnage.
You can watch a video of me doing just that at a different logan rock here.
A Famous Landmark
The most famous of Cornwall’s logan rocks is at Treen. It is on a stunning stretch of coastline close to the famous Minack Theatre. The stone is reputed to weigh around 60 tons but because of its perfect pivot could be rocked by a small child. Of course there is a kill-joy in this tale. His name was Lieutenant Hugh Goldsmith, R.N. (nephew of the famous poet Oliver Goldsmith).
In April 1824 Goldsmith was on a jolly with the navy just off the Cornish coast and apparently they heard tell of the legend that no mortal man could dislodge the rock from its axis. Goldsmith and 14 crew decided to test the theory. After several hours of struggling with iron bars they succeeded in tumbling the stone from its position.
Local Uproar
The crew had however seriously underestimated the importance of what they had done.
The people of the area were understandably furious at this act of vandalism. Goldsmith wrote to his mother on 24th April 1824 saying :
“The Rock was so idolized in this neighbourhood. I found all Penzance in an uproar. I was to be transported at least. The newspapers have traduced me, and made me worse than a murderer, and the base falsehoods in them are more than wicked”.
He was soon reported to the Admiralty and told to replace the stone immediately.
This was not an easy undertaking and it took several months to organise the necessary equipment. But the Royal Cornwall Gazette reported on 6th November 1824 that crowds of people had watching the Logan Rock being hoisted back into position. A great cheer went up when it was seen to rock.
Although the stone was replaced apparently it never rocked the same again.
This is a stretch of coastline that is well worth a visit and if you have a head for heights climb up to the Logan Rock and try it for yourself!
Further Reading
Mysterious Sunken Treasure at Cudden Point, Cornwall
Logan Rock – Louden Hill, Bodmin Moor
Crantock’s hidden rock carvings & a name for a mystery lady
Thanks for this post…I had forgotten about Logan’s Rock until recently when I drove past the pub at Treen…I haven’t seen the rock for years I must pay it another visit next month when I am next down in Cornwall
We repeated one of our favourite walks last weekend and it included views of Logans Rock……we took a friend who’s not been before and she loved it down there. I shared your blog post about it with her and she enjoyed reading as much as I did. Thanks from both of us. Keep up the posts!!!!! 😊
Thank you that’s lovely, I am really happy that you are enjoying reading them! 🙂
Ooh, we were camping at Treen last week and had a lovely evening in the Logan Rock Inn, now I understand the name (though not sure if we knowingly saw the rock? The coastline is spectacular around there though so we will definitely be going back.)
Interesting to read this and I remember Logan Rock from Cornish holidays of yore. I saw some Logan Rock ‘cousins’ on the Penninis headland on St Mary’s. They are fascinating and I like the way they change their morphological aspect as you walk around them.