European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 8, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The Wes  preserving pirate past to lure tourists by Dave Didio staff photographer Penzance As in the pirates  hoping to capitalize on its notorious past. Associated in folklore and fact with smugglers and brigands and profiting by the Sale of their contraband it grew into a. Thriving Market and seafaring Community in the Jatter half of the 17th Century. But swashbuckling eventually gave Way to shop keeping and the ravages of Quot modernization Quot throughout the next two centuries Cost Penzance much of its old world rustic Charm. Market jew Street the primary shopping thoroughfare in the town Center evolved into a Hodgepodge of modern and antique construction making it look today much like any other moderate sized Village in England functional but nondescript. Down on the waterfront the historical flavor of this old rum runners Bay dissipated when a wide promenade and a Gigantic outdoor swimming Pool were constructed along the seawall. Remnants of the old world Charm Are still there but you have to Hunt for them. As a Center of Commerce and a Magnet for Sun seekers the town has survived reasonably Well. But in a world of intense economic Competition Penzance is learning that being a Market town just in t Good enough anymore. Where outlaws bringing shipload of illegal Continental goods to the British v Mainland once waged a deadly War with the Revenue agents who pursued them Penzance now fights a different kind of Battle a a fierce tug of War with other Cornish villages Over the tourist s Money. To ensure survival in the future Penzance is delving into its past shedding some of its Market town image in favor of with a Little More Pizazz. An intense a e port is being made to promote the Quot look arid feel Quot of bygone eras. Chapel Street which runs from the marketplace Down to the sea is now a Well preserved mixture of Regency and georgian style conjuring up images of pirates and smugglers from yesteryear. The 14th-Century Turk s head pub and the Admiral Benbow pub with a gun wielding figure of a pirate sprawled on its roof looking out to sea help keep the old spirit alive. At one time there was actually a Tunnel from the Beach into the basement of the Turk s head which smugglers used to transport their illegal French spirits into this part of England. The maritime museum across from the Turk s head is no Ordinary museum. The Interior of the building was constructed fully to scale in the appearance of a Section of an 1 filth Century four Decker 95-Cannon British warship. Visitors get an excellent feel for the Sailor s cramped life aboard one of these vessels As they Duck their Heads to avoid the Low beams which separate the life size displays. Some of the ambiance of Penzance s seafaring tradition has been recaptured by the presence of the Brig Quot Maria Asumpta Quot the oldest sailing ship in the world still actively voyaging under sail. Built in 1 858, this fully functioning piece of maritime heritage opens its hatches to the Public daily at the South pier docks. To highlight its celtic roots the townsfolk created the Quot Mazey Days a it festival Quot a weekend festival late in june that features a mishmash of wandering musicians and costumed crowds singing and dancing among Street kiosks that sell virtually everything the town s merchants have to offer. Distinctively attired town criers from surrounding communities shout their proclamations from the marketplace each hoping to be declared the Best crier on the pen with Peninsula. Even without the festival Penzance is an enjoyable starting Point from which to explore the rest of the Cornish Peninsula. Bed and breakfast Homes Are plentiful traffic is Light and the dress is casual. Several shops in the Community lease bicycles and there Are Miles of Good beaches just East of town. But bring your imagination along with you. On just the right Street in Penzance when the Moon is full you might just catch a glimpse of some character wearing a three cornered hat and an Eye Patch lugging his ill gotten goods up the Back stairs of a nearby pub. A maritime museum adults 1.50 pounds about $2.25 children under 11 admitted free. A Maria Asumpta adults 1.50 pounds children under 14 admitted free. A tourist information station Road Cornwall tr18i2nf. Telephone 073662207. The Brig Maria Asumpta claims to be the oldest sailing vessel in the world still actively voyaging under sail above. Girls perform medieval dances for the Public a a during Quot Mazey Days Quot right. 8 stripes Magazine september 8f 1994