Dartmouth Harbour
Dartmouth Harbour | |
---|---|
Location | Devon County, England, UK |
Coordinates | 50°21′06″N 3°34′40″W / 50.35167°N 3.57778°W[1] |
River sources | Dart River |
Basin countries | United Kingdom |
Settlements | Dartmouth |
References | Dartmouth Harbour |
Dartmouth Harbour (also Dart Harbour) is a natural port located in Dartmouth, Devon, England. It is situated at the mouth of the River Dart on the English Channel.[2] Bayard's Cove Fort is a small fort, which was built to defend the harbour's entrance. The crafts which dock at the port are mainly local fishing vessels, naval ships and luxury yachts; warships routinely visit the harbour.[3] The River Dart is navigable from Dartmouth to the old weir location at Totnes.
Geography
The harbour is located at the mouth of the River Dart (the name 'Dart' is
The low coast line rises gradually. The harbour entrance is 5 miles (8.0 km) to the south west of Berry Head. On the east side, Kingswear Castle is located very close to the water's edge, and on the west side, Dartmouth Castle is built on a rocky promontory. Visible landmarks from the entrance to the harbour are: the outline of Dartmoor Range which has granite peaks of Hayton (rugged peak); Rippon with single carn 1,525 feet (465 m); Stoke Fleming Church built on a high ground, about 1.75 miles (2.82 km) to the west of the entrance; and Mewstone, a rocky islet about 0.75 miles (1.21 km) east of the entrance. Dartmouth is located on the right bank of the estuary.[7]
The tide rise is about 14 feet (4.3 m) and the patent slips are of 250 feet (76 m) and 450 feet (140 m) length, capable of berthing large vessels. Navigation up to Totnes is possible for 10 miles (16 km) along the River Dart.[7] Blackstone rock, 8 feet (2.4 m) above high water level, is a landmark for ships to bypass shoals at the entrance. Entrance to the bay is 220 yards (200 m) wide between the rocks but as it widens into the harbour it provides enough room for vessels of any draught and fairly large capacity to berth safely. However, during rough weather it is dangerous to navigate through the entrance due to the rough rocky faces, and for miles without any sand bars for protection.
Features
The port is available 24 hours a day. Up to the minute
The light provided on the 85 feet (26 m) tower (above high tide), as of 1871, could be seen over a distance of 11 miles (18 km) in clear weather. Another fixed leading light, 110 feet (34 m) seaward of the first tower is at 70 feet (21 m) above high tide and the two lights together guide the ships to the center of the entrance channel. After passing through the channel between Castle and Kettle points, the fixed light provided at the guard station at the southern end of the town guides ships into the anchorage through the fairway. Red light is flashed to indicate
Visitor attractions
Visitor attractions from the port are the Dartmoor National Park and the Bovey Castle (now a hotel). Good quality produce is available, with some of the best shellfish areas in the whole of the UK, as well as Sharpham Vineyard and Cheese Dairy (for the best of wines), and a hot air balloon over the nearby countryside. The harbour and port are popular leisure boating locations, and several
The ancient town around the Dart Harbour town has a long history.[8] Other historical sites at the estuary of Dart are Dartmouth Castle[9] and Kingswear Castle, which is painted white on its front face towards the sea. The castles once operated a defensive chain across the estuary, which was raised at dusk to block enemy ships attempting to attack the harbour. The remains of the operating mechanisms for the chain are still visible in Dartmouth Castle.[10] Dartmouth Castle's artillery blockhouse, dated to 1481, was constructed to protect the harbour.[10] Dartmouth is also the home of the Britannia Royal Naval College (with links to the British Royal family) and as a result is routinely visited by sizable naval ships.
See also
References
- ^ "Map of Dartmouth Harbour in Devon, United Kingdom".
- ^ "The Royal Castle Hotel". The Royal Castle Hotel, Dartmouth, Devon, TQ6 9PS. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
- ^ a b c "Dartmouth Harbour". Official web site of Dartmouth Harbour. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
- ISBN 0-19-852758-6Oxford Dictionary of British Place Names
- ^ "Press release on restoring ancient woodland in Dartmoor's valleys". Dartmoor National Park Authority. Archived from the original on 21 October 2007. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
- ^ a b c "Commercial Vessels Guide". Dart Harbour & Navigation Authority. Archived from the original on 12 September 2008. Retrieved 25 September 2008.
- ^ a b c English channel, Admiralty hydrogr. dept (1882). The Channel pilot. Pt. 1. 2nd- ed. (With) Admiralty notices to mariners. Admiralty Hydrographic Department. p. 112. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
Dartmouth Harbour.
- ^ a b c "Visiting Ships and Luxury Yachts". Dartharbour Organization. Archived from the original on 9 November 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
- ^ "Dartmouth Castle, Devon". British Premier Heritage website. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7478-0651-6. Retrieved 5 November 2012.