A boat registered in Pool (Dorset) and a French named vessel both some way from home at Glasson Dock, Lancashire. Glasson Dock is a man made harbour off the River Lune estuary on the south east edge of Morecambe Bay. On the opposite shore is a very different port at Sunderland Point.
The Old Customs House and Quay now stand largely silent and very different from the time when this was the major port on the Lune. In those days (and I am talking 1700’s) sail boats were drawn up onto the shingle and unloaded and loaded at low tide directly into horse drawn carts……
Sunderland Point lies to the very west of a peninsula surrounded by salt marsh and even to-day visitors approaching from Lancaster need to heed the tides to avoid being cut off. So a peaceful place but also one that has a darker and humbling secret. The port was truly international and many boats came to and from the West Indies. Within the dunes overlooking the bay in a lonely location is the Grave of Samboo a cabin boy who died on reaching Sunderland Point around 1736.
The grave is old, and whilst not in any church yard, is still cared for with love by the locals and obviously not forgotten…..
It is also a reflection of times gone bye and a reminder that attitudes do change for the better.
So Samboo still rest’s in peace
And when the sun does go down there are few places as peaceful nor as beautiful as Morecambe Bay…………..
Lune Light, River Lune Estuary, Morecambe Bay
(For those who have eagle eyes this is the same location as the sunset posted on the 3rd March but taken some 15 minutes later)
10th March
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 