CHARLESTOWN, a sea-port in the parish of ST-AUSTELL,
eastern division of the hundred of POWDER,
county of CORNWALL, 1 mile (E. S. E.) from St. Austell,
with which the population is returned. There is a place
of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. This place is
situated on the western side of St. Austell bay, and in
1790, when known by the name of Porthmear, contained
only nine inhabitants; but since that period, owing to the
spirited exertions of Charles Rashleigh, Esq., to whom it
owes its modern name, it has become a thriving port,
and is still increasing in extent and importance. The
harbour is secured by a commodious pier, and defended
by a battery of heavy ordnance on Crinnis Cliff; it contains
an outer and an inner basin, the latter being capacious
enough to admit vessels of five hundred tons' burden.
Here are yards and dry docks for building and
repairing large ships, and a rope and twine manufactory:
a great quantity of lime is burnt; but the chief
trade of the place consists in its extensive pilchard
fishery, for which several scans have been put on, and
receiving - houses erected. Most of the china clay
brought from St. Stephen's is shipped at this port.