Falmouth must have been an interesting and exciting port in the days of sail when vessels arrived from all points of the compass, each with a different and often harrowing story to tell.

In 1914 the Norwegian four-masted barque Alonso was towed into Falmouth by the steam tug Victor.

Inward bound from Elephant Bay, laden with 8,500 casks of whale oil, the Alonso had been 58 days at sea.

Her master, Captain Hansen, had died a week before when the sailing ship was 200 miles off Falmouth. Before he died he had asked not to be buried at sea but landed in port for burial.

The chief officer and seven of the crew were found to be suffering from beriberi.

Falmouth and Truro Port Health Sanitary Authority medical officer, Dr Lanyon, boarded the ship to examine the crew.

Dr Lanyon told the Falmouth Packet: “The seven men were not sufficiently ill to require removal to hospital on shore. I hope that they will be well again in a few days after partaking fresh food and medicine.”

* Beriberi is a disease brought on by a Vitamin B-1 (thiamine) deficiency.