Kent's Cavern ([1841])

Cockrem, Edward, and Elliott, W. A guide to Torquay. Torquay: E. Cockrem & W. Elliott, 1841. pp. 13 - 15.5. KENT'S CAVERN: about a hundred yards beyond the toll bar on the Torwood road is a lane branching off to the right hand, which leads to Kent's Cavern; at the bottom of the first hill a few rude steps will be seen in the wall on the right, from whence a path winds through the wood di-directly [sic] to the cavern; the entrance is now closed in order to prevent persons from carrying off the bones for sale, or incautiously losing themselves in the cave; it is more than probable that the skeleton which was found there was that of some poor creature, who in remote ages, had taken refuge in the cave, and been unable to retrace her steps. When the fleet was stationed in Torbay during the late war, two midshipmen ventured to explore the cavern without a guide, and having extinguished their lights were so completely lost in its intricate windings, that it was not until they had been missed and search had been made for them, that they were discovered on the following day, by the tenant of Ilsam farm, seated far in its recesses, without a hope of ever making their escape; determined to shew his gratitude, and to terminate their adventure in the true spirit of romance, one of them resolved upon marrying the daughter of their deliverer, who was then quite a child, and actually maintained a correspondence with her family for nearly ten years, when all tidings of him suddenly ceased.The only guide who is now intrusted [sic] with the keys is George Pearce, of Tor, who will provide lights and everything necessary for visiting the interior; permission to dig for bones can only be obtained from Sir L. V. Palk, who is naturally averse to giving leave, excepting for scientific purposes.The extent of the cavern through all its windings is estimated at about three quarters of a mile, it is nowhere very spacious; neither do the stalactites suspended from the roof, or the rocks of which it is composed, possess the brilliancy of those in some other caves, but the effect when lighted up, especially with blue lights, is very striking, and independently of the interest arising from its fossil remains will amply repay the labour of exploring it; the lower entrance, which is given in the accompanying vignette, is now the only one that is open, there is another higher up in the wood, which appears to have been formerly much larger, but is now nearly filled with earth.[Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]

Lith oval

62x78mm