LOOE (WEST), a borough and chapelry (formerly
a market-town) in the parish of TALLAND-WEST-hundred,
county of
CORNWALL, 16 miles (w.)
from Plymouth, and 231
(W. S. W.) from London,
containing 539 inhabitants.
This place, also called Port
Pigham, a corruption of Port
Vichan, which signifies in
Cornish the " Little Port,"
is situated on the opposite bank of the river to that
of East Looe, with which it is connected by a bridge.
The town is of inconsiderable size; the harbour is
small but commodious, and is defended by a strong battery,-
the river is navigable for vessels of one hundred
tons' burden, and divides itself into two branches, just
above the bridge. There is no market; but a cattle
fair is held on the 6th of May. A charter of incorporation
was granted by Elizabeth, in 1573, whereby the rcmnicipal
body consists of a mayor and eleven burgesses,
who are empowered to choose a steward, with a town
clerk, and other officers; the mayor and steward are
justices of the peace. A court leet, with view of frankpledge,
is held. The charter authorises the mayor t6
hold a court for the recovery of debts under £ 5, every
week; but no proceedings have taken place in this court
for several years. There is a small prison, called the
Dark house. The borough first sent members to parliament
in the 6th of Edward VI., since which period it
has returned two representatives, who are elected by a
majority of the corporation; the mayor is the returning
officer, and the influence of the Buller family is predominant.
The chapel, formerly dedicated to St. Nicholas,
but now desecrated, has been converted into a guildhall.
There is a place of worship for Independents. A mathematical
free school was founded here, in 1716, by the
trustees under the will of John Specott, Esq., who in
1730 bequeathed the sum of £1000 for charitable uses-
£30 per annum was appropriated by them for the
instruction of poor children in the mathematics, particularly
in those branches which relate to naviga
tion; and the appointment of the master, after the
death of the original trustees, was vested in the heirs
of Charles Trelawney, Esq., and the proprietor of Trelawney
house. In the vicinity of West Looe are the
remains of a mound, supposed to have been on the
line of a Roman road, and some vestiges of military
works.