Eales Dock is a historical small tidal dock located near Dawlish Warren in Devon, England, originally built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel's South Devon Railway. [1]
History and Location
- Origins: It was constructed by the South Devon Railway under the direction of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. [1]
- The Landowner: It was built to satisfy local landowner Charles Eales, who wanted to maintain his private access to the sea across the railway line. Local folklore also suggests Eales used the secluded dock for smuggling. [1]
- Current Status: Located near Shutterton Creek on the Exe Estuary, the dock area remains permitted for continued boat access by agreement, despite local wildlife conservation restrictions and voluntary exclusion zones protecting wintering birds (read more via the South East Devon Wildlife). Today, the site is also a well-known spot for railway photographers capturing trains running along the sea wall. [1
The Smuggling ConnectionWhile the dock was ostensibly built for legitimate sea access and trade, historical local lore strongly indicates that much of Charles Eales' immense wealth actually came from using his highly secluded new dock for smuggling. [1]During the 18th and 19th centuries, Devon's rugged shoreline and hidden coves made it a hotspot for "free-traders". High taxes on European imports meant that smuggling goods like brandy, gin (Geneva), tea, and tobacco was incredibly lucrative. Having a private, secluded dock with access hidden beneath or alongside the railway line provided the perfect, inconspicuous landing point to move contraband inland without alerting revenue cutters. [1]
Here's a photo from flickr
https://flic.kr/p/2rNVp9n
If you have some information, please contact the Starcross History Society and
Alan Humphries
