This picture demonstrates how the buildings are literally perched on ' The Rock' and look right down onto the harbour.
Shipbuilding started in the 1750s in Barmouth and by 1795 a hundred ships had been registered in the port. By 1865 the figure had jumped significantly since boats built at the ship builders yard in Penmaenpool were towed to Barmouth for sails and rigging. ( The shipbuilders yard is now the George III - a delightful place to stop and take a glass of ale and enjoy the view at Penmaenpool bridge)
Between 1750 and 1865 - 318 vessels were launched from the yard for fitting out and registering at Barmouth . Barmouth harbour was made deeper in 1802 and a new quay built.
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Opening of the railway in 1867 stimulated a major campaign of house building to capitalise on the holiday and tourism business. But it brought with it a reduction in Barmouth's maritime importance. It is hard to imagine that Barmouth Junction station (now Morfa Mawddach) was the third largest railway station in Wales up until the "Dr Beeching"cuts.
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