One of our saddest stories last year involved Falmouth’s iconic Marlborough House, now in a state of decay and disrepair after long reflecting the affluence of the Packet ship captains, writes Mike Truscott.

One of Cornwall’s most important Grade II listed buildings, it was built in the early 19th Century for Captain John Bull, one of the bravest and most inspiring of those captains.

Rarely were his qualities more vividly displayed than in Falmouth Bay in October, 1810, as recorded by historian Bob Dunstan in “Falmouth’s Famous Past,” published in 1967.

Bull’s Duke of Marlborough was homeward bound when it encountered a mysterious vessel. It disappeared in fog and then, when back in view, refused to reveal her identity by any colours.

Bob wrote: “Through irritation, Captain Bull discharged a musket, whereupon the ship ran up the French flag, with a ‘bloody’ (red) flag for ‘no quarter.’ “Incensed by the Frenchman’s audacity in venturing so near his home port, Captain Bull rallied his men with a reminder of their position so close to home.

“Pointing to the shore, now visible under the lifting mist, he said, ‘Now, my lads, there is Pendennis and there are your homes,’ knowing that each man would comport himself bravely under the eyes of his friends and in sight of his own cottage door.

“The two ships engaged, and after an exchange of fire at short range and some manoeuvring, a French boarding party was effectively discouraged by a charge of canister shot fired in their midst.

“In the confusion that followed, the Frenchman sheered off. Ashore, Lieutenant James Cock, RN, gallantly put out with two boatloads of armed men, but was too late to do more than congratulate the victorious Captain Bull.”