James Abernethy, the man responsible for initially designing and overseeing the construction of Falmouth Docks submitted a report in 1861 outlining progress work which makes interesting reading.

He said: “Number 1 graving dock is complete but I am not yet satisfied with the state of the caisson, which is now in the hands of the contractor. The excavation for number 2 dock is proceeding rapidly, the material from it being deposited as hearting for the breakwater (Eastern).”

The Pendennis Shipyard is currently building a new dock for super yachts in the location of where the first gridiron was built in 1861.

Abernethy said in his report: “The whole of the masonry and excavation for the gridiron is complete, the laying down of the timbers has been delayed, in consequence of the tides not receding enough, a short time will now suffice to complete this work.”

Meeting at the Polytechnic Hall the docks directors also presented their report and the need to build another dry-dock to accommodate ships.

“Your directors have to report that since the last half-yearly meeting the graving dock has been completed and is now occupied by two large vessels, and others would have availed themselves of similar accommodation had it existed, but had to go elsewhere. The immediate construction of a second dock to meet the requirements of the existing traffic of the port is imperatively demanded.”