Atherfield Ledge is a rocky outcrop extending from the coast of the
Back of the Wight
Back of the Wight (also known as West Wight) is an area on the Isle of Wight in England. The area has a distinct historical and social background, and is geographically isolated by the chalk hills, immediately to the North, as well as poor publi ...
,
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight (Help:IPA/English, /waɪt/ Help:Pronunciation respelling key, ''WYTE'') is an island off the south coast of England which, together with its surrounding uninhabited islets and Skerry, skerries, is also a ceremonial county. T ...
. This is a famous shipwreck location. Along with
Brook Ledge and
Brighstone Ledge it is one of the area's main shipping hazards.
Geography
About two miles east from the
Brighstone Ledge the Atherfield ledge is a small (half a mile square) outcrop occupying a central position reaching into the current.
[J.C Medland "Shipwrecks of the Wight".Coach House Publications ltd, 2004]
Numerous ships have been wrecked upon this ledge because it's the focal point of the tide, many have left their remains turning it into a graveyard.
Atherfield Ledge shipwrecks
*
SS Eider
* Sirenia - in which several lifeboat men lost their lives.
* Diligent - Ore steamer.
* Auguste 1900 - Cargo of Eucalyptus wood from Australia
* Alcester 1897 - Cargo of Jute from India
References
External links
Landforms of the Isle of Wight
Rock formations of England
Shorwell
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