Hornsea Mere

Coordinates: 53°54′20″N 0°11′10″W / 53.90556°N 0.18611°W / 53.90556; -0.18611
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Hornsea Mere
Image of a lake with an island in the middle
Swan Island, Hornsea Mere
Relief map of the East Riding of Yorkshire
Relief map of the East Riding of Yorkshire
Hornsea Mere
LocationSouthgate, Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire
Coordinates53°54′20″N 0°11′10″W / 53.90556°N 0.18611°W / 53.90556; -0.18611
Basin countriesUnited Kingdom
Max. length2 miles (3.2 km)
Max. width0.75 miles (1.2 km)
Surface area467 acres (1.89 km2)
Max. depth12 feet (3.7 m)
Surface elevation26 feet (8 m)

Hornsea Mere is the largest freshwater lake in Yorkshire,[1] England, and lies to the west of

First World War
.

Description

It covers an area of 467 acres (1.89 km2), is 2 miles (3.2 km) long, 0.75 miles (1.2 km) at its widest point and 12 feet (3.7 m) at its deepest.[3][4] The average depth of the lake is 4 feet 11 inches (1.5 m) and the mere itself lies only 26 feet (8 m) above sea level.[5] The mere is fed by several small streams and a sluice gate at the eastern end of the mere controls the outflow, which travels only 0.68 miles (1.1 km) eastwards to the North Sea.[6][7]

Hornsea Mere is a centre for bird-watching and a

rowing, sailing, boat trips and fishing. It is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Protection Area for birds;[8] it accommodates many species throughout the year, and is of international importance for a migratory population of gadwall.[6] Its shallowness results in a diverse range of swamp and fen
plants.

It was featured in the BBC television programme Seven Natural Wonders.[9]

Hornsea Mere is owned by Wassand Hall, situated to the west of the mere, and was purchased by the Hall's estate for £50 in the 16th century.[10]

The mere is the base for

Hornsea Sailing Club.[11]

RNAS Hornsea Mere

Main article: RNAS Hornsea Mere

A Royal Naval Air Service seaplane base was opened on the mere in September 1917.[12] Initially, numbers 248 and 251 squadrons operated from RNAS Hornsea Mere with a headquarters at Killingholme. No. 251 Squadron operated non-water based aircraft so did not actually fly from Hornsea despite being based there.[13]

The RNAS base was located on Kirkholme Nab, a small 6-acre (2.4 ha) peninsula that sticks out westwards from the eastern shore. The RNAS installed two Bessonneau hangars and two slipways from Kirkholme Nab which allowed a dozen seaplanes to be operated from the base.[14][12] Various flights flew from here in coastal protection and submarine attack operations. These flights were eventually grouped together to form No. 248 Squadron who were commanded by No. 79 (Operations) Wing (who also commanded No. 251 Squadron, hence their allocation at Hornsea Mere).[15]

A number of brick buildings left behind by the RAF in 1919 are still in use today, employed by the boatyard and the cafe which operate there.

East Yorkshire coast.[18]

References

  1. ^ "Special Protection Area - Hornsea Mere". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. 2001. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
  2. ISBN 9780319245477
    .
  3. ISBN 978-0-09-193313-5
    .
  4. ISBN 9781840337532
    .
  5. ^ "Hornsea Mere". environment.data.gov.uk. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  6. ^ a b May, Linda; Spears, Brian; O'Malley, Michael (12 March 2010). "An assessment of nutrient sources and water quality improvement measures in Hornsea Mere" (PDF). nora.nerc.ac.uk. p. 5. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  7. ^ "Hornsea Mere" (PDF). environment-agency.gov.uk. June 2016. p. 13. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  8. ^ "Hornsea Mere" (PDF). designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  9. ^ "Yorkshire and Lincolnshire - Hornsea Mere". Seven Wonders. BBC. Retrieved 24 September 2009.
  10. ^ "Cycle ride at Hornsea Mere". Gazette & Herald. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  11. ^ "Hornsea Sailing Club". Hornsea Sailing Club. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
  12. ^ a b Chorlton 2014, p. 44.
  13. ^ Historic England. "RNAS Hornsea Mere (913357)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  14. ISBN 0-85059-532-0
    .
  15. ^ Chorlton 2014, pp. 44–45.
  16. ^ Chorlton 2014, p. 45.
  17. ^ Brigham, T; Buglass, J; George, R (February 2008). "Rapid coastal zone assessment survey: Yorkshire and Lincolnshire" (PDF). historicengland.org.uk. p. 194. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  18. ISBN 1-86126-809-2
    .

Sources

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hornsea Mere.
  • "Hornsea Mere"; East Riding of Yorkshire Council. Retrieved 27 June 2012
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