Just past half way on the path to Zennor walkers, who haven't yet gone blind
from anoxia, will notice the legendary Seal Island. However, a swift glance at
the Ordnance Survey map will reveal ..... no Seal Island?
Are your eyes deceiving you? Are the Ordnance Survey deceiving you?
No and No.
Seal Island is the name given to the rocks by the locals, mainly because you
find loads of seals there. Obviously the Ordnance Survey thought such a title
far too prosaic and wanted to go for something with a bit more mystery and
romance. So, on the map, Seal Island is actually called 'The Carracks'.
Now, isn't that far better than the dull and literally-minded 'Seal Island'?
Except that the name 'The Carracks' is derived from the Cornish language and
means ..... 'The Rocks'. It must have taken an act of genius to think that one
up!
Anyone who has been to St. Ives (or has been paying attention to other parts
of this website) will know that there are regular boat trips out to Seal Island
from St. Ives Harbour. The opinion has now been voiced in some quarters that
this regular contact with human beings (and tourists) is starting to affect the
seals. In deed, some believe that this may explain the behaviour of Alfie The
Seal.
However, those who earn their living from this trade claim that the seals do
quite well out of the arrangement and that there is no direct evidence that
their natural behaviour is being affected by it. Certainly, the seals don't seem
all that bothered.
They just get their 25% cut of the day's takings, then slip on their human
suits (imagine the process of a human getting into a wetsuit but in reverse) and
head off down to the Tinners for a few pints of Sharp's Special and a game of
euchre.