Coddy Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 Can someone tell me which is "Old Harrys Rock"? I understand that it is supposed to be named after a Poole pirate but I don't have any more information. Coddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted April 14, 2006 Report Share Posted April 14, 2006 Dave, Dont know about the Pirate bit - but Old Harry's Rock is the Tall pinnicle rock which is the first headland you come to as you steam out of the Swash channel and head around to the west - the smaller rock next to Old Harry is known as Old Harry's Wife. Info here: http://www.virtual-swanage.co.uk/page.aspx?p=oldharry Or a photo here: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afishionado Posted April 14, 2006 Report Share Posted April 14, 2006 Dave, Dont know about the Pirate bit - but Old Harry's Rock is the Tall pinnicle rock which is the first headland you come to as you steam out of the Swash channel and head around to the west - the smaller rock next to Old Harry is known as Old Harry's Wife. Info here: http://www.virtual-swanage.co.uk/page.aspx?p=oldharry Or a photo here: There is an apocryphal tale that the rocks were named after the character Harry Payne (or Paine) who was a privateer in the 13/14th Century. Harry Payne was a notorious privateer said to have plundered more than 100 French and Spanish ships, capturing many of them and returning to Poole harbour with them in tow for their booty. The official name on many charts is Handfast Point and the conspicuous promintory was noted in Roman information and also Viking writings. The town of Wareham (Vararrs Home) was the most notable Viking town in the 7th and 8th Centuries. The town being laid out in typical Viking manner. North and South streets running across East and West streets. The future of Old Harry in the 22nd Cent is also quite interesting but naturaly I can't tell you Earthlings about that. Mad Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueboatdriver Posted April 14, 2006 Report Share Posted April 14, 2006 Mike, Not wanting to pick holes in your story but I think it's Harry Paye, without the 'n' and Harry is the small rock and his wife is the large. Sorry, Simon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afishionado Posted April 14, 2006 Report Share Posted April 14, 2006 Mike, Not wanting to pick holes in your story but I think it's Harry Paye, without the 'n' and Harry is the small rock and his wife is the large. Sorry, Simon. No it was definitely Payne, I knew him well Also check out http://www.history-tourist.com/sites/engla...sites/poole.htm It may well have been pronounced 'pay' in the Dorset dialect but Old Harry had a commission from the Crown to Privateer along the French coast and this hand written document shows the spelling Payne. In the 13th/14th century England had no navy as such and at times of war or national conflict the Crown could call upon merchant ships to sail under the Kings name. This became very profitable for the owners/captains of successful ships, as they could keep 50% of the value of ships and booty that they captured. So successful was privateering that many men who under other circumstances would be called pirates and thieves became famously rich and powerful men, as indeed did Harry Payne. Mad Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted April 14, 2006 Report Share Posted April 14, 2006 I always understood it was Harry Paye, I think you'll find Payne is a typo. If you do a Google search for Harry Paye you'll find loads of references to the pirate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newboy Posted April 14, 2006 Report Share Posted April 14, 2006 Mike, Not wanting to pick holes in your story but I think it's Harry Paye, without the 'n' and Harry is the small rock and his wife is the large. Sorry, Simon. So Good old Harry has a fat old missus..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueboatdriver Posted April 14, 2006 Report Share Posted April 14, 2006 I think once upon a time Harry probably was the larger of the two but errosion etc made him fall down. Or Mrs Old Harry just ground him down over the years; I know how he must have felt I think the Round Island boat is called Harry Paye as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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