{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/celt/prwe/prwe060.htm","path":"neu/celt/prwe/prwe060.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/prwe/prwe060.htm","text":"THE MERMAID OF PADSTOW.\nTHE port of Padstow has a good natural harbour, so far as rocky area goes, but it is so choked up with drifting sands as to be nearly useless. A peasant recently thus explained the cause. He told how \"it was once deep water for the largest vessel, and under the care of a merry-maid--as he called her; but one day, as she was sporting on the surface, a fellow with a gun shot at her. \"She dived for a moment; but re-appearing, raised her right arm, and vowed that henceforth the harbour should be desolate.\" \"And,\" added the old man, \"it always will be so. We have had commissions, and I know not what, about converting this place into a harbour of refuge. A harbour of refuge would be a great blessing, but not all the Goyernment commissions in the world could keep the sand out, or make the harbour deep enough to swim a frigate, unless the parsons can find out the way to take up the merry-maid's curse.\"\nAnother tale refers the choking up of this harbour to the bad spirit Tregeagle.--","title":"Romances of the Mermaids: The Mermaid of Padstow","type":"page"}