Varne Bank facts for kids
The Varne Bank is a long sand bank in the Strait of Dover. It is about 5.75 miles (9.25 km) long. You can find it about 9 miles (14.5 km) southwest of Dover in Kent, England. The Varne Bank is near the deepest part of the Strait of Dover. This deep spot is about 223 feet (68 meters) down.
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What is the Varne Bank?
The Varne Bank is like a long, straight underwater hill made of sand. Other sand banks in the Strait of Dover, like the Colbart bank, look similar. These straight-shaped banks are only found on the English side of the strait.
Why is the Varne Bank Important?
The Varne Bank sits almost in the middle of a busy shipping lane. This lane is used by many ships going through the English Channel. Because of its location, it is a constant concern for British coastguards and ships.
The water above the bank can be very rough. This is especially true when the tides are strong or the weather is bad. The Varne Bank is quite shallow, with a minimum depth of about 10 feet (3 meters). Because it is so shallow, it is marked by special lighted buoys. These buoys are placed to the West, East, and South of the bank. There is also a special Trinity House automatic lightvessel (a ship with a light) near the Varne Bank. This helps guide ships safely.
Sometimes, when ships get into trouble on the Varne Bank, people mistakenly say they were lost on the Goodwin Sands. The Goodwin Sands are a more famous sand bank nearby.
Varne Bank and Fishing
Even though it can be dangerous for ships, the Varne Bank is a great place for fishing. Many people come here to catch cod and scallops. Its shallow waters make it a good home for these sea creatures.
Ideas for the Varne Bank
Over the years, people have had many ideas for the Varne Bank.
Channel Tunnel Idea
In 1802, an engineer named Albert Mathieu had an idea. He suggested to Napoleon that the Varne Bank could become an island. This island would be a stopping point for a Channel Tunnel between England and France.
Channel Bridge Idea
In the 20th century, another idea came up. People thought about building a bridge across the Channel. The Varne Bank would have been used as a support for this huge bridge.
Several important naval battles have happened close to the Varne Bank. These include:
- The Battle of Dover in 1652.
- The Battle of Dungeness also in 1652.
- The Battle of Dover Strait in 1917.
Protection Zone
The Varne Bank is part of a special protection zone. This zone is called « Ridens et dunes hydrauliques du Pas de Calais ». It means "underwater sand ridges and dunes of Pas de Calais." This area is about 262 square miles (678 square kilometers). It is protected under the Natura 2000 program. This program helps protect important natural habitats in Europe. The Varne Bank shares this zone with other nearby banks like the Colbart and Vergoyer banks.
