Cornwall was not well-defended at that time and was a long way from the seaborne navy at Plymouth and London. It was important to provide an early warning system and this attack led to the creation of a "Ring of Fire" along the north and south coasts and around Mount's Bay. A series of beacons were created at high vantage points around the Lizard and Mount's Bay. These were also to be manned at night and lit at the first sign of invasion. Mullion Cove, commanding a superb view of Mounts Bay was selected as one the beacon sites, close to what is now the current site of the Mullion Cove Hotel. In 1743, Captain Taylor of the "Daking" en route from Chester to London reported that he was chased by a Spanish privateer and managed to get under the defence of the cannon in Mount's Bay.