Smugglers Cove - Beware the Lure of the Wreckers Light

Smugglers Cove

Coastal Lights have been used for centuries by sailors to mark paths of safe passage through treacherous waters. But beware the lure of the wreckers light.

Smuggling and piracy ran rampant in the 18th century (particularly in Cornwall where I’m from originally.) Commonly pirates would set false lights to lure ships to be wrecked on the rocky coasts. Here they could wait for the bounty to be washed ashore and smuggled inland through series of caves and tunnels.

Smugglers Cove depicts a false beacon successfully luring a ship on to the rocks. Two pirates collect the loot while one keeps a look out and stocks the fire.