Have you ever wondered what those fairly unprepossessing wooden building are on the harbour? The are the Fishermen’s Lodges.
There are two on Wharf Road - Shore Shelter and Rose Lodge, and Shamrock Lodge is the one by The Sloop.
There were originally 5, but 2 fell into complete disrepair and no longer exist.
Up until the early 20th century the fishermen of St Ives got on fine without any lodges. We don't know why but within the space of a few years in the early 20th century, five lodges were built and were filled with members. It is believed they are unique to St Ives.
What Were They Used For?
They were meeting places where members pay a small annual subscription to join. It is currently the grand total of £5 per year.
They were male only places and it is thought at pretty much all fishermen of St Ives belonged to a lodge once they were built. Membership I believe isn't so strict anymore - at the very least you don't need to be a fisherman!
The fishermen used the lodges to wait for tides and weather and keeping an eye on their boats. They were also used as social spaces, and there was many a complaint by wives that their husbands spent more time in the lodges than they did at home!
They are now still used by fishermen, including retired ones.
Cornish flags are flown on the lodges when local people marry and of significant days in the Cornish calendar such as St Ives Feast Day. The flags are flown at half mast when they die.
Inside The Lodges
Inside the lodges are simple rooms with a coal or wood stove in the centre. The walls are lined with photos of old St Ives which are fascinating to see.
The Swear Box
Interestingly, swearing in the lodges is strictly forbidden. But spitting and smoking is fine! There is a swear box to put money in if you transgress!
The 5 Lodges are:
Rose Lodge and Shore Shelter
Rose Lodge and Shore Shelter were built in 1901 and moved in 1918 to their present, conjoined site on Wharf Rd when Wharf Road was built.
I'll be honest I get confused which is Rose Lodge and which is Shore Shelter. Please do get in touch if I've got them the wrong way round!
Shamrock Lodge
Shamrock Lodge - built in 1901 and sits in front of the entrance to Fish St by The Sloop Inn.
One And All Lodge
One And All Lodge - built in 1904. This was built on the sand below Bethesda Hill and unsurprisingly it eventually collapsed in 1931. Sadly nothing remains of this lodge.
Bayview Lodge
Bayview Lodge. This was built at the top of the slipway by Smeaton's Pier. This was in a very exposed position and eventually was wrecked in a storm in 1978.
Fund Raising For The Fishermen's Lodges
The lodges are in a pretty poor state of repair at the moment. The roof on Rose Lodge and Shore Shelter got really battered in the storms this winter and it needs replacing. There are lots of fund raising efforts being made in the town to raise enough funds to bring the lodges back into a good state and back to being used regularly by the fishermen of St Ives.
