A CLIFF fall blocking a crevice near Tintagel has triggered memories of a fatal sailing vessel incident more than 100 years' ago.

Hundreds of tonnes of rock fell into the crevice between Lye Rock and the Bossiney cliff edge, last week.

Lye Beach was the scene of devastation on December 20, 1893, when a sailing vessel, Iota was driven against the cliff. All of the crew, apart from 14-year-old cabin boy Domenico Catanese, managed to scramble on to Lye Rock where they were later rescued by four men.

Domenico perished and he was buried in the Tintagel's St Materiana Churchyard where a buoy marks his grave.

Three of the rescuers were from Tintagel. One of them, Charles Hambly received a Vellum testimonial and awarded three bravery medals.