Black Tar Point, Llangwm
There has been much speculation over the origin of the name “Black Tar”. Does it perhaps relate to the tar used to waterproof the hulls of the distinctive Llangwm fishing boat; or is it a corruption of the terms Bleak Tor or Black Tor describing the dark, seaweed covered promontory adjacent to the current slipway?
Upstream from the slipway, half hidden by Knapp Wood’s overhanging branches, is the Vit’lin Rock (from ‘victualling’). Local women secretly left food there for their menfolk in the early 19th century. When Royal Navy ships were in port at Milford Haven or Pembroke Dock, pressgangs would roam the countryside to kidnap able-bodied men to crew warships. Llangwm men hid in Knapp Wood’s caves until the fleet had left. Meanwhile women did their husbands’ work.
The grassy bank north of the slipway was the location of several limekilns. Lime was essential for maintaining soil fertility and limestone was transported by boat from quarries on the opposite shore of the river. The stone was burned with coal from Landshipping or Hook to form quicklime, which was carted to farms. Quicklime also waterproofed cottage walls throughout Llangwm.
Fishing was part of the village's lifeblood with a variety of shellfish and fish being gathered and caught. For example, when herring shoals made their way upriver to spawn in early spring, a flotilla of local boats would follow to shoot their nets in Gullydraft, the narrow part of the river at Castle Reach.
When the laden boats returned to Black Tar, other members of the family would “pick” the fish from the nets and box them for dispatch to Milford Haven fish market. The 1970s photo shows, left to right, Gareth Morgan, John Brock and Llewellyn John picking herrings from nets.
The area upstream from Black Tar was used as a practice bombing area during the Second World War for Walrus seaplanes stationed at nearby Lawrenny Ferry. Observation posts at Picton Point and Landshipping Quay registered the accuracy of each bombing run. The sketch by Arla George of the RAF Volunteer Reserve (who was killed in action during the war) depicts a Supermarine Walrus off Black Tar Point.
With thanks to Llangwm Local History Society
Postcode: SA62 4HN View Location Map
Llangwm LHS website – including details of Llangwm’s river place-names and fishing boats