Ballast Pond, Torpoint | Grade II Listed (UK)

 pond, Grade II Listed (UK)

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Ballast pond (sometimes referred to as ballast pound). 1783, built by the Admiralty.
Slatestone rubble with Devon limestone copings. Square plan with entrance to east
side. The walls are about 2 metres high to the landward side and deeper to the
seaward side. The overall dimension is about 80 metres square, and the walls are
about 2 metres wide. The walls are battered with dressed stone copings, and on the
inner side the walls are stepped, giving the effect of a string course. The top is
paved with stone setts with cast iron moorings rings at intervals. To the east, the
entrance is about 10 metres wide, and the wall ends are round-headed. The masonry is
of high quality.
When repairs were done to the bottom of a ship, much of the ballast (stone and sand
in the C18) would have to be removed. It was discharged into lighters, which would
often be heavily laden. It is presumed that the ballast pond was built as a shelter
for the lighters, which would not then need to be unload, but could remain in dock
until the ballast was needed again.
(Sources: Harris, G. and F.L. (ed.): The Making of a Cornish Town. Torpoint and
Neighbourhood through two hundred years. 1976)