Porthcurno at War

Image: The tunnels were camouflaged and guarded and were designed to prevent invasion, with an escape route for the operators should the defences fail.

As a major cable station and the hub of the Eastern Telegraph Company's international network, Porthcurno was an obvious enemy target in times of war. In 1914, a detachment of 43 soldiers arrived and were billeted in the theatre. Windows were sandbagged, barbed wire was erected and trenches were dug on the beach. A censor was installed and the wireless hut on the cricket field was commandeered by the Senior Inspector of Telegraphs. During the Second World War, more drastic protection was considered necessary so tunnels were cut into the cliffs by local tin miners and a complete telegraph office built inside them. The tunnels now house the Porthcurno Museum of Submarine Telegraphy which is open to the public.