We noticed yesterday that there were a substantial number of stakes exposed in the sand at the Worm’s Head end of Rhossilli beach.
Do you have any idea what these are, why they are there, and what they are for?
We would be very interested to knoe.
Your web site is lovely. The photos are fabulous.
Without seeing a picture of what you saw, it is difficult to be certain – but the most likely explanation is the wreck of the ship Helvetia. Depending on how much sand has been pushed up the beach, more or less of the ribs of the ship are exposed. It is a very famous feature of Rhossili beach and you will find a lot of information about it on the internet. The only other wreck that I know about at that end of the beach is a metal one quite close to the cliffs. Many ships have foundered on the shores around the Gower Peninsula and on Rhossili beach in particular. If the Helvetia images do not match what you saw yesterday, then I am afraid I am unable to help with an explanation of the wooden stakes you saw. Do you have a photograph?
Thanks for replying.
Sorry, I did not take a photo.
It was not the Helvetia. There was a line of stakes- maybe nine, parallel to the tide line, with a group of about another seven slightly further up the beach line. they were sticking up about 12″/18″ out of the sand, and were firmly anchored in the sand. They were the sort of sappling trees that are sometimes used as fenceposts.
If you ever hear what they may have been, I would be very grateful to know.
thanks
Hi Chris, If the stakes were modern, then what you describe sounds like some kind of monitoring experiment for the movement of sediments on the beach – possibly following the recent land slip that demolished the lower end of the steps leading to the beach. The National Trust are owners of the beach and they may know more about it, I’ll let you know if I learn anything more about them.
That would make sense, as it looks like there is a lot of sand gone from a lot of the local beaches.
Thank you very much for your thoughts.
Also- I think your photos on the Worms Head are great for anyone who is unable to get out there. The gulleys are fascinationg.
Thanks
Hello Chris, I just phoned up the National Trust and they tell me that the two lines of stakes are not recent but were revealed this winter when the storms removed the loose sediments from many of the Gower beaches, including Rhossili. The sand and pebbles are gradually returning to the shores but the Rhossili sand level at that point is still not as high as it used to be. The NT Ranger says that there are many theories about the stakes being circulated by local residents but no-one knows for sure what they were really for – possibly something that was installed during WW2.
Thanks for your comments on the blog. Out on Worms Head Causeway it’s like a different world but you do need the be both careful and agile – so I’m enjoying it while I still can!
Thank you so much for finding so much out! You are a star!
I’m sure othe people will be interested too.
I have been out on the Worms Head but worry I will miss the tide and get stranded, so a NT guided walk was more relaxed!
Your photos capture it beautifully! It would be lovely to linger and see and see what is in the gulleys! You clearly love Rhossilli, as I do.
Thanks again
It’s really interesting., and I am gald the sand is comimg back. I worry that it will be removed by dredging in the Bristol channel.
I have been out to Worms Head a few times, and as you say, it is a different world, but your pictures capture it beautifully. I was clock wantching in case we missed the tide and got stranded but felt more relaxed on a NT giuded walk!
You are right to be worried about getting trapped by the incoming tide; the gullies can be deep and dangerous, often hidden by thick growths of seaweed. The best way to safely explore the rock pools and gullies on the Worms Head Causeway in Gower is to go out on a low spring-tide with a local expert. Judith Oakley, who wrote the popular book “Seashore Safaris”, used to organise such trips but I am not sure whether she still does.
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We noticed yesterday that there were a substantial number of stakes exposed in the sand at the Worm’s Head end of Rhossilli beach.
Do you have any idea what these are, why they are there, and what they are for?
We would be very interested to knoe.
Your web site is lovely. The photos are fabulous.
LikeLike
Without seeing a picture of what you saw, it is difficult to be certain – but the most likely explanation is the wreck of the ship Helvetia. Depending on how much sand has been pushed up the beach, more or less of the ribs of the ship are exposed. It is a very famous feature of Rhossili beach and you will find a lot of information about it on the internet. The only other wreck that I know about at that end of the beach is a metal one quite close to the cliffs. Many ships have foundered on the shores around the Gower Peninsula and on Rhossili beach in particular. If the Helvetia images do not match what you saw yesterday, then I am afraid I am unable to help with an explanation of the wooden stakes you saw. Do you have a photograph?
LikeLike
Thanks for replying.
Sorry, I did not take a photo.
It was not the Helvetia. There was a line of stakes- maybe nine, parallel to the tide line, with a group of about another seven slightly further up the beach line. they were sticking up about 12″/18″ out of the sand, and were firmly anchored in the sand. They were the sort of sappling trees that are sometimes used as fenceposts.
If you ever hear what they may have been, I would be very grateful to know.
thanks
LikeLike
Hi Chris, If the stakes were modern, then what you describe sounds like some kind of monitoring experiment for the movement of sediments on the beach – possibly following the recent land slip that demolished the lower end of the steps leading to the beach. The National Trust are owners of the beach and they may know more about it, I’ll let you know if I learn anything more about them.
LikeLike
That would make sense, as it looks like there is a lot of sand gone from a lot of the local beaches.
Thank you very much for your thoughts.
Also- I think your photos on the Worms Head are great for anyone who is unable to get out there. The gulleys are fascinationg.
Thanks
LikeLike
Hello Chris, I just phoned up the National Trust and they tell me that the two lines of stakes are not recent but were revealed this winter when the storms removed the loose sediments from many of the Gower beaches, including Rhossili. The sand and pebbles are gradually returning to the shores but the Rhossili sand level at that point is still not as high as it used to be. The NT Ranger says that there are many theories about the stakes being circulated by local residents but no-one knows for sure what they were really for – possibly something that was installed during WW2.
Thanks for your comments on the blog. Out on Worms Head Causeway it’s like a different world but you do need the be both careful and agile – so I’m enjoying it while I still can!
LikeLike
Thank you so much for finding so much out! You are a star!
I’m sure othe people will be interested too.
I have been out on the Worms Head but worry I will miss the tide and get stranded, so a NT guided walk was more relaxed!
Your photos capture it beautifully! It would be lovely to linger and see and see what is in the gulleys! You clearly love Rhossilli, as I do.
Thanks again
It’s really interesting., and I am gald the sand is comimg back. I worry that it will be removed by dredging in the Bristol channel.
I have been out to Worms Head a few times, and as you say, it is a different world, but your pictures capture it beautifully. I was clock wantching in case we missed the tide and got stranded but felt more relaxed on a NT giuded walk!
LikeLike
You are right to be worried about getting trapped by the incoming tide; the gullies can be deep and dangerous, often hidden by thick growths of seaweed. The best way to safely explore the rock pools and gullies on the Worms Head Causeway in Gower is to go out on a low spring-tide with a local expert. Judith Oakley, who wrote the popular book “Seashore Safaris”, used to organise such trips but I am not sure whether she still does.
LikeLike