MOUNTS-BAY, a large bay in the S of Cornwall; indenting the coast between the Lizard on the E and Tol-Pedn-Penwith on the W. It measures 19 ¼ miles across the entrance; penetrates 8 ½ miles north-north-eastward, on the W side, to Marazion; makes a gentle semicircular sweep at the NW extremity round Penzance; and curves somewhat regularly, in crescental form, from Marazion to the Lizard. Its most noted feature is St. Michael’s Mount, at the head, in the vicinity of Marazion, and described in the article michael’s mount (St.); but its shores, in general, possess deep interest at once for highly picturesque scenery, for marked evidence of sea-encroachment, and for remarkable mildness of climate; while its waters are famous as a chief station of the pilchard fishery, frequented by a fleet of from 150 to 200 boats, nine-tenths of which average from 20 to 22 tons’ burden. Its shores include the towns of Penzance, Marazion, and Helston, and parts of the parishes of St. Buryan, Madron, Gulval, St. Hilary, Perranuthnoe, Germoe, Breage, Gunwalloe, and Mullion; and are noticed in the articles on these places, and in other articles. Many eminences on the shores command most delightful prospects over sea and land. The portion of the bay, within a line drawn from Cuddan Point to Mousehole, is traditionally said to have been dry land, covered with wood; is thought to have been submerged by a great oceanic inundation, recorded to have happened in 1099; and retains, in its bottom, beneath a layer of sand, a deposit of black vegetable mould abounding with roots and trunks of trees, and with the detritus of branches, nuts, and leaves. A tract on the shore, forming part of what is called the Western Green, and now a bare sandy beach, was described, in the time of Charles II., as rich pasturage; and the shore-tract, called the Eastern Green, between Penzance and Marazion, has been considerably diminished within the last 60 years.
Source: The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales [Wilson, John M]. A. Fullarton & Co. N. d. c. [1870-72].
