Thomas May, captain of the schooner "Florence" lived at May house with his wife and grandparents. Returning from the Mediterranean to Falmouth in March 1891, the vessel was caught by a storm in the Bay of Biscay and lost her masts. She was sighted by another vessel and reported as sunk with all hands. The bad news was sent to Port Isaac where Mrs May was seriously ill. Meanwhile, Captain May had had his men sew shirts together, fixed a 'jury-rig' and arrived back in Falmouth two weeks late. When he heard about his wife's illness he rode on horseback through the night back to Port Isaac, clattering up Dolphin Street in the early hours. His grandfather appeared at an upstairs window and, believing Thomas was dead, thought he was a ghost, and at first he shouted, "Go away and leave us in peace"
This picture was taken from a postcard dated 1907. At some point May House had the left external wall rebuilt and the chimney removed which can still be seen in this photograph.