Penzance Lecture – Porths and Gigs of the Isles of Scilly with Cathy Parkes
Archaeology of the Pilot Gig Boats
This project, by the Cornwall Archaeological Unit, was funded by Historic England, FiPL, and CAS, to help address the increasing risk to the archaeology of the pilot gig sheds. These sites, used for vital pilotage, salvage and rescue at sea, are now subject to accelerating coastal erosion, and gradual sea level rise.
The work presented includes local knowledge, kindly contributed on the islands, with plan drawings by Mark Bowden, and virtual 3D models by Tom Goskar. It captures the distinctive earthworks of gig sheds; their routes, running through inter-tidal rocks; hilltop lookouts; and parts of the historic gigs themselves.
Among the sheds recorded are the houses of gigs still known by name, some of which are still kept on the islands and compete with the many gigs now built on traditional lines in the thriving sport of gig racing.
Cathy Parkes
Cathy Parkes, from Falmouth, has worked for the Cornwall Archaeological Unit since 1987, specialising in the ways communities have contributed to the creation of the endlessly interesting landscape of Cornwall and Scilly. This includes the ways people have negotiated the wild shorelines, exemplified by her recent research on the history and archaeology of Scilly’s pilot gigs.
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