Torpoint
| Torpoint | |
| Cornwall | |
|---|---|
 Torpoint War Memorial | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SX438552 |
| Location: | 50°22’34"N, 4°12’18"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 8,457 (2001) |
| Post town: | Torpoint |
| Postcode: | PL11 |
| Dialling code: | 01752 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Cornwall |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
South East Cornwall |
| Website: | Torpoint Town Council |
Torpoint is a small town on the Rame Peninsula in south-eastern Cornwall. It stands opposite the City of Plymouth, which lies across the Hamoaze, the tidal estuary of the River Tamar.
Torpoint had a population of 8,457 at the 2001 census.
The town is linked to Plymouth and Devonport by the Torpoint Ferry. The three vessels that operate the service are chain ferries – that is, they are propelled across the river by pulling themselves on fixed chains which lie across the bed of the river. The journey takes about seven minutes.
Origin of name
It is said that Torpoint's name is derived from Tar Point, a name given because of the initial industry on the west bank of the Hamoaze. However this is actually a nickname given by workers, Torpoint meaning "rocky headland".[1]
History
Torpoint is an eighteenth-century planned town. The grid-based design for the town was commissioned by Reginald Pole Carew in the Parish of Antony in 1774. His family continued to have a strong influence in the area, having become the Carew Poles, and still reside at their family seat, Antony House.
Due to the presence of HMNB Devonport, the Devonport Dockyard, the town grew as Dockyard workers settled there. The establishment of the Royal Navy's main training facility, HMS Raleigh also increased the population of Torpoint.[2]
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Torpoint) |
Sport
- Football: Torpoint Athletic FC
References
- ↑ MIlls, A. D. (1996). The Popular Dictionary of English Place-names. Parragon Book Service Ltd and Magpie Books. pp. 332. ISBN 0-7525-1851-8.
- ↑ "History of Torpoint". Torpoint Town council. http://www.torpointtowncouncil.gov.uk/history.htm. Retrieved 16 December 2011.