Editing Dartmouth, Devon (section)

===20th century===
The area to the north of Ridge Hill was a shallow and muddy bay ("Coombe Mud") with a narrow road running along the shore linking with the Higher Ferry. The mud was a dumping ground for vessels, including a submarine. The reclamation was completed in 1937 by the extension of the Embankment and the reclamation of the mud behind it, which became Coronation Park. [[File:smithstreet.jpg|thumb|right|Smith Street circa 1930]]

In the 1920s, aided by government grants, the council made a start on clearing the slums. This was aided by the decline in the use of coal as a fuel for ships. The slums were demolished, and the inhabitants were rehoused in new houses in the Britannia Avenue area, to the west of the old village or hamlet of Townstal. The process was interrupted by the second world war, but was resumed with the construction of many [[Prefabricated home|prefab]]s, and later more houses. Community facilities were minimal at first, but a central area was reserved for a church, which was used by the [[Baptists]] and opened in 1954,<ref>{{cite web|title=Dartmouth Baptist Church|url=http://www.dartmouthbaptistchurch.co.uk/about-us/|access-date=24 January 2018|archive-date=8 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408010344/http://www.dartmouthbaptistchurch.co.uk/about-us/|url-status=dead}}</ref> together with a speedway track. The latter was later used for housing, but a new community centre was opened nearby,<ref>{{cite web|title=Townstal Community Hall|url=https://www.bythedart.co.uk/living-in-dartmouth/local-services/townstal-community-hall/|website=By the Dart|access-date=24 January 2018|archive-date=18 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118113248/https://www.bythedart.co.uk/living-in-dartmouth/local-services/townstal-community-hall/|url-status=dead}}</ref> together with a leisure centre, an outdoor swimming pool, and later an indoor pool,<ref>{{cite web|title=Dartmouth and District Indoor Pool|url=http://www.dartmouthpool.co.uk/|access-date=24 January 2018|archive-date=18 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118113243/http://dartmouthpool.co.uk/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and supermarkets. There are also light industrial units.

In the latter part of the [[World War II|Second World War]] the town was a base for American forces and one of the departure points for [[Utah Beach]] in the [[Normandy landings|D Day landings]]. Slipways and harbour improvements were also constructed. Much of the surrounding countryside and notably Slapton Sands was closed to the public while it was used by US troops for practise landings and manoeuvres. 
Between 1985 and 1990 the Embankment was widened by 6 metres and raised to prevent flooding at spring tides. A tidal lock gate was provided at the Boatfloat bridge, which could be closed at such times.