Parmelia Bank facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Parmelia BankWestern Australia |
|
|---|---|
Tanker British Renown passing through the Parmelia Bank between Woodman Spit and Carnac Island
|
Parmelia Bank is a large sandbank located north of Cockburn Sound in Fremantle, Western Australia. It's part of the Fremantle Outer Harbour. This sandbank got its name from a ship called the Parmelia. The Parmelia ran aground, or got stuck, on this sandbank way back in 1829.
Where is Parmelia Bank?
Parmelia Bank is found south of another sandbank called Success Bank. It's a bit smaller than Success Bank. Parmelia Bank stretches for about 3 kilometers. It runs from Woodman Point almost all the way to Carnac Island. This sandbank is also inside the area known as the Fremantle Outer Harbour. There is a special channel, or pathway, through this sandbank. It is called Parmelia Channel. This channel leads ships into Cockburn Sound.
Parmelia Bank's Role in World War II
During World War II, Parmelia Bank was very important for protecting Cockburn Sound. It was the location of a large anti-submarine boom net. This net was like a giant fence under the water. It was designed to stop enemy submarines from entering the sound.
The barrier started at Woodman Point. It then stretched west across the top of the sandbank. It went all the way to Carnac Island. There was a special dredged channel through the sandbank. This channel had a gate in the barrier. It allowed friendly ships to pass through. From this channel, the barrier continued south-west towards Garden Island.
How Parmelia Bank Formed
Both Parmelia Bank and Success Bank were formed a very long time ago. This happened during a period called the Holocene. This was more than 10,000 years ago! These sandbanks were created by sediment. Sediment is tiny bits of rock and sand. This material was washed away from the Rottnest Shelf and the Garden Island Ridge. Success Bank formed behind Mewstone Rocks. Parmelia Bank formed behind Carnac Island.
