The Gantocks facts for kids
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| The Gantocks and navigation beacon | |
| Location | Firth of Clyde, Scotland. |
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| Coordinates | 55°56′27″N 4°55′04″W / 55.940816°N 4.9177772°W National |
| Year first constructed | c.1886 |
| Height | 44 ft (13 m) |
| Range | 6 nmi (11 km) |
| Fog signal | No |
The Gantocks are a small group of rocks located in the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. They are found just off the coast of Dunoon, a town in the west of Scotland. These rocks are important because they have a special navigation beacon that helps ships find their way safely through the water.
Contents
What Are The Gantocks?
The Gantocks are not very big, but they are a well-known feature in the upper Firth of Clyde. This area is a large sea inlet on the west coast of Scotland. Because the rocks are partly underwater, they can be a danger to ships if they are not careful.
To help ships avoid the rocks, a navigation beacon was built on The Gantocks around 1886. A navigation beacon is like a special signal or light that guides ships and warns them of dangers. This beacon stands about 44 feet (13 meters) tall. It acts as a warning sign, especially at night or in bad weather, to make sure ships know where the rocks are.
Ships and The Gantocks
Even with the beacon, The Gantocks have been involved in a few incidents with ships over the years.
- On April 9, 1956, a ship called the MV Akka hit the rocks and was lost. This means it sank after running into The Gantocks.
- Later, on July 15, 1977, the famous paddle steamer PS Waverley also ran aground on the rocks. This means it got stuck on them. There were 715 passengers on board at the time, but thankfully, everyone was safe.
Keeping the Beacon Bright
The navigation beacon on The Gantocks needs regular care to make sure it keeps working properly. In 2018, the beacon was repainted, and other important maintenance work was done. This helps to ensure it remains a clear and reliable guide for all the ships that travel through the Firth of Clyde.
Gallery
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The Gantocks Beacon with Cloch Lighthouse behind
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The Gantocks
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Gantocks Beacon
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