Chichester Approaches - Middle Pole. Did there used to be one?

[Angele]

Looking at the Conservancy website for the latest info on depths in the approach channel (useful info here http://www.conservancy.co.uk/notices/) there is reference to "Middle Pole".

Shoaling in the vicinity of Middle Pole has reduced the width of the channel 160 metres SSE of the Bar Beacon.

I've never known there to be a channel marker with that name (only "West Pole", "Bar Beacon", "Eastoke" and "West Winner"). Looking at the chartlet in Reeds there is an area marked as Middle Pole and same with the Admiralty chart for the area. It appears to be the shallows on the starboard side of the approach channel, more or less opposite the Bar Beacon.

Was there once a channel marker there and when (and, more importantly, why) was it removed?

I'm guessing that it gave an unjustifiable level of assurance as to the width of the navigable channel, which we all know moves, such that they decided to stick with only a couple of port hand markers. Anyone know?

 

[lw395]

I think it refers to middle pole sands, not a pole or post?

 

[Angele]

Odd to call sands a "pole" if there is no pole.

 

[KevB]

We've been in chichester harbour since 2002 and I don't recall any marker opposite the bar beacon.

And as lw395 says..

"The low lying entrance to Chichester Harbour, is not easily distinguished against the backdrop of the South Downs and is bordered on both sides by extensive drying banks; West Pole, Middle Pole and East Pole Sands, the latter extending more than a mile seaward. A deep-water channel running between these banks to the harbour entrance is interrupted by a bar joining West to Middle Pole and East Pole Sands,"

http://www.conservancy.co.uk/page/navigation/325

 

[nikc]

and Chimet back online...

...regarding Chichester approach I notice that Chimet is alive again.
Many thanks to those who look after it - a great resource for us.

I am wondering if the wave-height is calibrated yet? The plots seem to show quite high
values for only moderate winds...(trying to recall old stuff.)

Anyone know? ...of course there is a full archive to check out but always easier to ask
a question than do some work!

 

[prv]

Odd to call sands a "pole" if there is no pole.

Odd to call sand and gravel a "winner" as well, yet they are so named.

Pete

 

[stephenh]

OED - (about the tenth meaning)

pole - species of flatfish; also -dab, -flounder

any use?

 

[Angele]

OED - (about the tenth meaning)

pole - species of flatfish; also -dab, -flounder

any use?

Should I try bottom fishing as I go past then?

 

[Mark-1]

Was there once a channel marker there and when (and, more importantly, why) was it removed?

OED - (about the tenth meaning) pole - species of flatfish; also -dab, -flounder

I've just checked Cowper and he makes no mention of marker poles on East/West/Middle Pole Sands in the 1890's, but does mention a leading transit.

Now I'm also curious as to where the names of the 'Pole Sands' came from. Flatfish, Marker poles or something else?

Google found this:

"WEST POLE and EAST POLE SAND (thus on Sheringham’s chart, 1848). They were collectively called THE POLES (“nearly in front of Eastock”, Longcroft 309). The word pole recurs locally in Stocker’s Pole, a sand spit on the Sussex side of Chichester Harbour. The use of the word pole in these names is unclear, but it may represent ME pol(le) ‘head, crown of the head, nape of the neck’ in some topographical sense (cf. the widespread use of head for a promontory)."

Coates, Richard (1991) The place-names of Hayling Island, Hampshire. Manuscript, revised version accessible electronically (since 2007) at
http://www.uwe.ac.uk/hlss/llas/staff_coates_r_hayling.doc

 

[Angele]

"WEST POLE and EAST POLE SAND (thus on Sheringham’s chart, 1848). They were collectively called THE POLES (“nearly in front of Eastock”, Longcroft 309). The word pole recurs locally in Stocker’s Pole, a sand spit on the Sussex side of Chichester Harbour. The use of the word pole in these names is unclear, but it may represent ME pol(le) ‘head, crown of the head, nape of the neck’ in some topographical sense (cf. the widespread use of head for a promontory)."

You learn something everyday.

Thanks Mark

 

[DJE]

Years ago before the beacons were re-arranged we took my brother and his wife to Chichester by boat. Both confirmed landlubbers. Jenny was more than a little suprised to see a big steel post sticking out of the water with "West Pole" written on it. "I've heard of the North Pole and the South Pole but......"

 

[Angele]

"I've heard of the North Pole and the South Pole but......"

 

[VicS]

Years ago before the beacons were re-arranged we took my brother and his wife to Chichester by boat. Both confirmed landlubbers. Jenny was more than a little suprised to see a big steel post sticking out of the water with "West Pole" written on it. "I've heard of the North Pole and the South Pole but......"

Even the old West pole is a realtively recent thig on my time line.

I can remember when the bar beacon had a platform where one of the harbour staff stood directing the traffic on busy summer weekends.

 

[toad_oftoadhall]

Even the old West pole is a realtively recent thig on my time line.

I can remember when the bar beacon had a platform where one of the harbour staff stood directing the traffic on busy summer weekends.

I don't go that far back. I recall that when I were a lad it had a radio beacon in it, though.

 

[Angele]

...regarding Chichester approach I notice that Chimet is alive again.
Many thanks to those who look after it - a great resource for us.

Short lived, I'm afraid. No report since 17:00.

Cambermet too.

 

[Daydream believer]

Odd to call sands a "pole" if there is no pole.

No but there might be a few Rumanians or even Chinese cockle pickers wandering about
I am sure we could make up a name from that

 

[oldharry]

Short lived, I'm afraid. No report since 17:00.

Cambermet too.

Fixed now
+1 Thanks to the people who run it