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 boulders which, through some a happy accident, are on a pivot and can be rocked with ease, 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 and Porthcurno beach. The stone is reputed to weigh around 60 tons but because of its perfect pivot could be rocked by a small child. Sadly, 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 and a whole team of men to haul the rock back up. Holes drilled into the granite and iron rivets from the pulleys can still be seen to this day. But eventually 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.
The whole episode cost Lieutenant Goldsmith the sum of £130.8s 6d and amusingly a bill still exists listing the various amounts paid and includes the entry “sixty men of St Just who did nothing but drink beer to the value of 13s/6d’’. It seems that Goldsmith had hired local men to assist him and, perhaps because of what he had done, they appear to have done little to help him.
And unfortunately although the stone was replaced it is said that it has never rocked with the same ease as it once did.
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
