British Maritime Empire's Falmouth Connection

Explore the maritime nexus of Falmouth at the dawn of the nineteenth century in this illuminating thesis, unraveling the port's pivotal role within the expansive British empire from 1800 to 1850. Through a multifaceted lens, this research delves into four key areas that underscore Falmouth's significance in Britain's maritime empire. Firstly, it argues that Falmouth's Packet Service played a vital role in intelligence gathering during the Napoleonic Wars, a triumph that fueled the expansion of the British empire. Secondly, the thesis investigates how Falmouth became a hub for exporting Cornwall's mining expertise to new colonies, contributing to the spread of informal empire. Thirdly, it explores how the import of plant specimens from the colonies influenced class-based power dynamics in and around the town. Lastly, the study delves into the intricate negotiations of identity and race resulting from interactions between British and foreign individuals, shaping the colonial context of the port.