King William Banks facts for kids
The King William Banks are a group of sand banks located about 14 miles (26 km) northeast of Ramsey, Isle of Man. These underwater banks are named after a famous event involving King William III in 1690.
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How the Banks Got Their Name
The King William Banks are named after a time when King William III's ship got stuck there. This happened in 1690, when he was traveling from the River Dee in Wales to Carrickfergus in Ireland.
King William's Journey
On June 10, 1690, King William got on his ship at a place called the King's Gap near Hoylake on the River Dee. It was a spring tide, which means the tides were very high. Edward Tariton, a skilled Master from Liverpool, was guiding the King's ship.
The Ship Gets Stuck
Early the next morning, around 4:00 AM on June 11, the ship hit a sandbank. This happened off the Point of Ayre near the Isle of Man. The water was low, and the sandbank was not on any maps at the time. The King's ship was stuck for about one hour before it could move again.
Location and Size of the Banks
The King William Banks are about 2 miles (3.7 km) east of another sandbank called the Ballacash Bank. These banks stretch for about 6 miles (11 km) towards the east-south-east. At their shallowest point, the water above them is about 2.8 meters (9.2 feet) deep.
Marking the Banks
Sailors need to know where these sand banks are to avoid getting stuck.
The King William Banks were first marked with special floating markers called buoys in 1843. Today, a lighted buoy is placed about 13 miles (24 km) east of the Point of Ayre. This buoy helps ships know where the eastern end of the banks is, especially at night.
Maritime Charts
These banks are also shown on many important sea maps, known as maritime charts. Some of these charts include AC 2094, AC 1826, AC 2696, SC 5613.21.1, Imray C62, and Imray Y70. These maps help ships navigate safely around the area.
Other Nearby Sandbanks
The King William Banks are not the only sandbanks in this part of the sea. Other nearby sandbars and banks include the Ballacash Bank, the Bahama Bank, the Strunakill Bank, and the Whitestone Bank.
