In days gone by when smugglers and fishermen landed at night on Chesil Beach, they had their own trusted method to know where they were. They simply picked up a piece of shingle under their feet and felt its size. At the Portland end of the beach, the pebbles are large but moving westwards the pebbles become smaller. These locals were able to use this feature to determine at night their exact landing location.
The beach runs for around 18 miles from the Isle of Portland to the village of Burton Bradstock. Chesil Beach is also described as a tombolo which is a narrow piece of land by which an island such as Portland is attached to the mainland. Known as a lerret, local fishermen developed a purpose-built boat suitable for their work off Chesil Beach. This was a double-ended open fishing vessel rowed by four men with a fifth acting as a steersman who also managed the nets. Many of these boats were built in Weymouth.
It has been estimated as many as 200 vessels have been shipwrecked along Chesil Beach. Rescue is difficult because the steep bank runs straight into deep waters. In January 1748 the Hope of Amsterdam carrying £50,000 in gold, silver and other goods was lost. A crowd gathered on the shoreline fought in the dark over the valuable cargo. Looting continued for over a week and the army had to be called in to disperse the mob. Arrested individuals who were tried in Dorchester were acquitted. This was because it was difficult to find jurors without connections to the looters.
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