Brisons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Brisons |
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The Brisons, viewed from Cape Cornwall
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 Location in Cornwall
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| Location | Cornwall, UK |
| Coordinates | 50°07′13″N 5°43′20″W / 50.12039°N 5.72229°W |
The Brisons are two small, rocky islands (called islets) located about 1 mile (1.6 km) off the coast of Cape Cornwall in Cornwall, United Kingdom. They are in the Celtic Sea. In the Cornish language, their name is Enys Vordardh, which means 'breaker island'. People sometimes say the rocks look like General Charles de Gaulle lying in a bath!
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What are The Brisons?
The Brisons are made up of two main rocks. One rock is about 22 meters (72 feet) high, and the other is 27 meters (89 feet) high. These rocks are connected to the mainland at Gribba Point by a reef called Guthen Gwidden. This reef's Cornish name, Kudhen Gwydn, means 'white hidden one'. There is a gap in the reef called the Adgiwar Gap, which means 'green gap' in Cornish. In 1878, a local newspaper mentioned that the reef between the Brisons and the land was called Bridges, and it had three gaps.
Wildlife Living on The Brisons
The Brisons are a special place for birds. In 2016, a group visited the rocks and heard European storm petrels calling. This was exciting because it meant these small seabirds might be breeding there. It's the only known place in Cornwall where they might nest!
The group also counted and tagged many other birds. They tagged 66 birds in total, including:
- 42 European shags (a type of seabird similar to a cormorant)
- 13 razorbills (a black and white seabird)
- 11 guillemots (another type of seabird, often found in large groups)
History of The Brisons
The Brisons have been important for sailors, but also dangerous. In 1851, a large ship called the New Commercial crashed into the rocks. It was a brig, which is a type of sailing ship. Most of the crew were lost, even after a brave rescue attempt.
Because of this shipwreck, a group called the National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck decided to help. This group later became the RNLI, which saves lives at sea. They set up a lifeboat station in Sennen Cove in 1853. A lifeboat is still based there today, ready to help people in trouble.
Fun Activities at The Brisons
Every year, there's a special event called "Cape sports" at Cape Cornwall. It's a water sports event held on the beach. During this event, people take part in swimming races. They swim all the way from The Brisons back to the beach! It's a challenging and fun way to enjoy the sea around these famous rocks.
Images for kids
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The Brisons in the mist Cornwall
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The Brisons and Cape Cornwall
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Sparkling Sun at The Brisons
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The Brisons
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The Brisons seen from Carn Brea
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The Brisons
