Farne Islands - The Full Wiki The Full Wiki More info on Farne Islands Wikis Note: Many of our articles have direct quotes from sources you can cite, within the Wikipedia article! This article doesn't yet, but we're working on it! See more info or our list of citable articles . Related top topics Top rankings for Farne Islands 35th Inner Farne and its lighthouse. Note the calcium carbide deposits on the cliff Farne Islands List of places: UK • England • Northumberland The Farne Islands (also referred to less formally as the Farnes) are a group of islands off the coast of Northumberland , England . There are between 15 and 20 or more islands depending on the state of the tide . [1] They are scattered about 2.5–7.5 km (1 1/2–4 3/4 miles) distant from the mainland, divided into two groups, the Inner Group and the Outer Group.

The main islands in the Inner Group are Inner Farne, Knoxes Reef and the East and West Wideopens (all joined together on very low tides) and (somewhat separated) the Megstone; the main islands in the Outer Group are Staple Island , the Brownsman, North and South Wamses, Big Harcar and the Longstone. The two groups are separated by Staple Sound. The highest point, on Inner Farne, is 19 metres (62 feet) above mean sea level. Contents 7 References History The earliest recorded inhabitants of the Farne Islands were various Culdees , some connected with Lindisfarne . This followed the old Celtic tradition of island hermitages, found in England , Ireland , and Scotland . The first visitor recorded by name was Saint Aidan followed by Saint Cuthbert . The latter was called to the bishopric of Lindisfarne but after two years he returned to the solitude of the Inner Farne and died there in 687, when Saint Aethelwold took up residence instead.

Among other acts, Saint Cuthbert introduced special laws in 676 protecting the Eider ducks , and other seabirds nesting on the islands; these are thought to be the earliest bird protection laws anywhere in the world. The islands have no permanent population, the only residents being National Trust bird wardens during part of the year: they live in the old pele tower on the Inner Farne, the largest and closest inshore of the islands, and the lighthouse cottage on the Brownsman in the outer group. The pele tower was built by or for Thomas Castell, Prior of Durham about 1500. There is also a chapel set up on the site of St Cuthbert's oratory 600 years ago. It was restored in recent times with old material from Durham Cathedral. All the lighthouses on the Farnes are now automatic and have no resident keepers, although in former years they did. Ruins of older lighthouses may be seen, for example on the Brownsman where there are two. Before the lighthouses there were beacons on several of the islands.

The prominent white streak on the cliff facing the mainland (see photo) is often thought by visitors to be bird droppings: although many parts of the islands do exhibit this colouring, in this case it is the result of chalk deposits from the many years of spent calcium carbide from the lighthouse being thrown down the cliff; this calcium carbide was used to generate acetylene which was used as fuel for the light before electricity came. A map of Farne Islands in 1947 Longstone lighthouse in the Farnes from where Grace Darling and her father launched their rescue. Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) at nest on Inner Farne Grace Darling One of the great attractions of the Farne Islands is the story of Grace Darling and the wreck of the Forfarshire . Grace Darling was the daughter of Longstone lighthouse-keeper, William Darling, and on September 7, 1838, at the age of 22 years, she and her father rescued nine people in a strong gale and thick fog from the wreck of the Forfarshire, which had run aground on Harker rock.

The story of the rescue attracted extraordinary attention throughout Britain and made Grace Darling a heroine who has gone down in British folklore. [2] Ecology and natural history In the warmer months the Farnes, an important wildlife habitat, are much visited by boat trips from Seahouses . Local boats are licensed to land passengers on Inner Farne, Staple Island and the Longstone; landing on other islands is prohibited to protect the wildlife. At the right time of year many Puffins can be seen and these are very popular with visitors; on the Inner Farne, the Arctic Terns nest close to the path and will attack visitors who come too close (visitors are strongly advised to wear hats). Some of the islands also support a population of Rabbits , which were introduced as a source of meat and have since gone wild. The Rabbit and Puffin populations use the same burrows at different times, the Puffins being strong enough (with a vicious bite) to evict the Rabbits from the burrows during the nesting season. The islands also hold a notable colony of about 6,000 Grey Seals , with several hundred pups born every year in September-November.

A Puffin safe in its burrow on the Farne Islands Breeding birds on the Farnes (as of 2005) include: Rock Pipit – 20 pairs Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) at nest on Staple Island A total of 290 bird species have been recorded on the Farnes, including in the 1760s, an example of the now extinct Great Auk [3] . On 28–29 May 1979, an Aleutian Tern , a rare tern from the Aleutian Islands in the North Pacific Ocean , visited the Farnes. It was the first, and still the only, member of its species ever seen anywhere in Europe. It remains a complete mystery how it arrived here. [4] A longer-staying unusual visitor was "Elsie" the Lesser Crested Tern , who visited the Farnes every summer from 1984 to 1997; during that period, she (paired with a male Sandwich Tern ) raised several hybrid chicks, and attracted several thousand birders keen to see this species in Britain.

Lesser Crested Terns normally nest on islands off the coast of Libya and migrate to West Africa for the winter; it is thought that "Elsie" took a wrong "tern" at the Straits of Gibraltar on spring migration. [5] An Arctic Tern from the Farnes, ringed as a chick not yet old enough to fly in summer 1982, reached Melbourne , Australia in October 1982, a sea journey of over 22,000 km (14,000 miles) in just three months from fledging. This remains one of the longest distances travelled by any bird. One classic view of the Farnes, very popular with photographers, is that from the harbour at Seahouses. However, they are closer to the mainland further up the road northwards towards Bamburgh and excellent views may be seen from here, in the vicinity of the Monks House Rocks, as well as from Bamburgh Castle and beach. Geology The Farnes are resistant igneous Dolerite outcrops. These would originally have been connected to the mainland and surrounded by areas of less resistant limestone .

Through a combination of erosion of the weaker surrounding rock, and sea level rise following the last ice age , the Farnes were left as islands. Because of the way the rock is fissured, Dolerite forms strong columns. This gives the islands their steep, in places vertical cliffs , and the sea around the islands is scattered with stacks up to 20 metres (66 feet ) in height. Many of the small islands are bare rock, but the larger islands have a layer of clay subsoil and peat soil supporting vegetation. The rock strata slopes slightly upwards to the south, giving the highest cliffs on the south and some beaches to the north. [6] Diving As well as being popular with bird watchers, the Farne Islands are a popular scuba diving location. The islands appeal to divers for these reasons: there are seals, wrecks and a variety sites suitable for all levels of diver. The grey seal colony at the Farnes which numbers about 5,000 are curious and will often look in on divers in the water; in addition to this they are impressive to watch underwater. Hundreds of ships have been wrecked on the Farnes over the years, providing plenty for wreck divers to look at.

Among them are the: Chris Christenson, a Danish Steamer that sank on 16 February 1915. She lies close into the reef off the south tip of Longstone, Outer Farnes in about 30-35m at ( 55°38.397′N 1°36.182′W﻿ / ﻿55.63995°N 1.603033°W﻿ / 55.63995; -1.603033 ). [7] [8] The Brittania was a 740t, 210 ft British cargo/passenger steamship that struck the Callers, Outer Farnes, in thick fog on 25 September 1915.

[9] The wreckage lies between about 8m-30m at ( 55°37.688′N 1°35.991′W﻿ / ﻿55.628133°N 1.59985°W﻿ / 55.628133; -1.59985 ). [10] [11] St Andre was a 1120t French steamship carrying pig iron. On 28 October 1908 she hit the Crumstone and floated off to sink finally at Staple island. [12] She lies in about 17m-25m at ( 55°37.84′N 1°37.18′W﻿ / ﻿55.63067°N 1.61967°W﻿ / 55.63067; -1.61967 ). It is generally possible to dive at the Farnes regardless of wind direction. There is always shelter somewhere.

Some dive locations even provide the opportunity to combine diving and bird watching, in particular the Pinnacles, where Guillemots can be found fishing at safety stop depth. [13] External links Grace Darling – Victorian heroine – Tammy Tour Guide Grace Darling in the famous painting by William Bell Scott Grace Darling was one of the most famous heroines of the Victorian period in England. She was a national treasure, an icon, a heroine. Everybody knew the name of this ordinary woman who lived in a lighthouse on a remote island in northern England. So why were the Victorians captivated by her? Grace’s courage in saving five people from drowning in a severe storm off the Northumberland coast in 1838 was legendary. Her exploits were truly remarkable for a woman living in the repressed Victorian era when ‘the fairer sex’ was supposed to stay at home and undertake womanly duties. Heroic tale I’ve been fascinated by Grace’s story since I was 10-years-old when we learned about her exploits at school. Her tale of courage against the odds was exotic and exciting. A true ‘Girl’s Own’ adventure. No wonder it fired national pride then and still does now.

It’s also a great story – a bit like a Hollywood movie… with an action packed plot and characters you can empathise with. Humble lighthouse keeper’s daughter becomes a national heroine after saving the lives of shipwrecked passengers in a Biblical storm… you couldn’t invent a better screenplay. Grace’s tale is full of adventure, danger, and risks. Grace Darling’s heroic rescue mission Her mission through the billowing seas in a tiny, open rowing boat with no cover and very little protection from the elements was remarkable. Victorian paintings of Grace wearing a billowing skirt, shawl and lacking any credible safety equipment as she undertook this dangerous rescue struck a chord. Grace was portrayed as a romantic figure, a watery heroine riding the waves like a working class Britannia. But for me, she was the very epitome of a modern woman with her no-nonsense, action heroine style and her swashbuckling exploits. The lighthouse family Unpredictable weather – lighthouse on the Farnes in fog Grace Darling lived on the Farne Islands which were notorious for their tempestuous waters and shipwrecks.

She spent her youth living in two lighthouses on the Farnes – Brownsman and Longstone – where her father William was the keeper. The islands lie next to a dangerous stretch of coast on the north east tip of England, swept by winds and lashed by storms in winter. Even today, a boat trip can turn into a slightly hairy experience as I found out when I embarked on the island ‘cruise’ one foggy day last year. During the early hours of 7 September, 1838 Grace was looking out from an upper window at Longstone when she saw the wreck of a ship which had been torn apart on a nearby rocky island called Big Harcar. The ill-fated SS Forfarshire, which was carrying 62 passengers and crew, had hit the rocks and was sinking. The appalling weather conditions and storms made a rescue attempt difficult… but Grace and her father took decisive action. They knew the seas were too rough for the lifeboat at North Sunderland so decided to take out a rowing boat. Grace Darling displayed phenomenal courage and determination in rowing the 30 foot long coble to rescue survivors.

After she had taken five survivors back to the lighthouse, her father made a second trip to rescue the remaining passengers. Both the Darlings were feted as heroes but it was Grace’s story that hit the headlines around the world. Grace became a Victorian superstar as her fame spread far and wide even though she felt uncomfortable with her new-found celebrity status. Theatre plays, shows, songs and poems were produced to celebrate her exploits – and she became a poster girl for British heroism. Even today a film company is hoping to raise finances to make a movie of her extraordinary story. Looking for Grace Darling Here’s my tips on how to follow in Grace Darling’s footsteps on a visit to Bamburgh… Start at the Grace Darling Museum on Radcliffe Road to get an overview of the life and times of Grace Darling. The museum is signposted from the Castle Green and lies to the north side of the village. Entry is free. Two exhibition rooms rooms provide a snapshot of Grace’s life including family mementoes, paintings and a three-dimensional cutaway model of the Longstone lighthouse.

The highlight of the small but well-presented display is the original coble (a type of rowing boat) in which Grace Darling made her daring rescue of the passengers from their sinking ship. On the way out, pick up the Grace Darling trail leaflet which has information on the historic sights in the village. Grace Darling Museum Leave the museum and walk up the street to see the adjacent cottage where Grace Horsley Darling was born on 24 November, 1815 in the house of her grandparents. Grace was the 7th child of William and Thomasin Darling. Grace Darling’s birthplace in Bamburgh Cross over the road to the church of St Aidan where there is an elaborate Gothic memorial to Grace in the graveyard. This was erected in 1844 after her death following demands for a public memorial – although the original figure was taken inside the church in 1885 following severe weathering. The memorial was reconstructed with a new figure of Grace looking out to sea and the Farne Islands, her home at the time of the rescue. Wander into the cemetery and you’ll see the Darling family grave (surrounded by a low iron railing) which is the last resting place of Grace and other family members.

Grace Darling’s tomb Go inside the church where you’ll find the original figure of Grace from the churchyard memorial and a stained glass window dedicated to the heroine. In the windows she is depicted holding a set of oars like a guardian angel of the seaways. The church records show that the funeral of Grace Darling took place on Monday, 24 October, 1842. Legend has it that a violent storm marked her burial, preventing three of her brothers travelling from the Longstone lighhouse for the funeral. Memorial to Grace Darling Leave the church and turn back into Bamburgh village. Cross the village green and walk down Front Street for about 50 metres until you see a corner shop called The Pantry. This is where Grace Darling died on 20 October, 1842 from tuberculosis at the tragically young age of 26 years. It was only four years after her triumphant rescue mission. Grace Darling’s place of death in Bamburgh Cross over the road and take a left down a side road called The Wyndings where you’ll discover Wynding House, an imposing Victorian house.

This was home to Grace’s family after William Darling retired from his lighthouse duties in 1860. Continue down the street until you come to a car park on the right. Cut through the parking area to the sand dunes and turn right along the beach. After a short walk you’ll see the impressive sight of Bamburgh Castle in front of you. On the morning of the rescue in 1838, a lookout saw the wreck of the SS Forfarshire and immediately raised the castle flag and fired a cannon to let the ship’s crew know that they had been spotted. A rider was sent to nearby North Sunderland to raise the lifeboat crew – they didn’t arrive till three hours later, after a difficult journey. They found that the survivors had already been rescued by Grace Darling and her father, William. Bamburgh Castle on the Northumberland coast Keep on walking and you’ll see superb views of Inner Farne as you look out to sea (don’t forget to take binoculars). Look further beyond the island and you’ll see the Longstone lighthouse in the distance as well as the rocky shores of numerous small islands that make up the Farnes.

Try to transport yourself back 175 years and imagine Grace Darling rowing across the seas to rescue the shipwrecked survivors of the Forfarshire. Inner Farne – battered by waves Then head back into Bamburgh village and drive about six miles down the coast to Seahouses. Take a boat trip from the harbour to the Farne Islands to get a real sense of what Grace Darling experienced when she lived on the islands. Boat trips vary in length but most of them take in Inner Farne, the Longstone lighthouse and most of the locations featured in Grace Darling’s rescue mission. Farne Islands boat trip Look out for spectacular views of wildlife on the rocks and in the sea including seals, puffins, guillemots, razorbills and cormorants. But pick your time of year when the storms have abated – otherwise the Grace Darling experience will become all too real! Go wild on the Farne Islands Share this: Learn and talk about Farne Islands, Important Bird Areas of England, National Trust properties in Northumberland, National nature reserves in England, Nature reserves in Northumberland Northumberland The Farne Islands are a group of islands off the coast of Northumberland , England.

There are between 15 and 20 islands depending on the state of the tide . [1] They are scattered about 1½–4¾ miles (2.5–7.5 km) from the mainland, divided into two groups, the Inner Group and the Outer Group. The main islands in the Inner Group are Inner Farne, Knoxes Reef and the East and West Wideopens (all joined together on very low tides) and (somewhat separated) the Megstone; the main islands in the Outer Group are Staple Island , the Brownsman, North and South Wamses, Big Harcar and the Longstone. The two groups are separated by Staple Sound. The highest point, on Inner Farne, is 62 feet (19 metres) above mean sea level. A map of Farne Islands in 1947 Contents History[ edit ] Monks and hermits[ edit ] The earliest recorded inhabitants of the Farne Islands were various Culdees , some connected with Lindisfarne . This followed the old Celtic Christian tradition of island hermitages, found in England , Ireland and Scotland .

The islands are first recorded in 651, when they became home to Saint Aidan , followed by Saint Cuthbert . [2] Cuthbert isolated himself on the islands until he was called to the bishopric of Lindisfarne, but after two years he returned to the solitude of the Inner Farne and died there in 687, when Saint Aethelwold took up residence instead. Among other acts, Saint Cuthbert introduced special laws in 676 protecting the eider ducks , and other seabirds nesting on the islands; these are thought to be the earliest bird protection laws anywhere in the world. [3] [4] The islands were used by hermits intermittently from the 7th century. These included Saint Bartholomew of Farne . [5] The last hermit was Thomas De Melsonby, who died on the islands in 1246. [2] A formal monastic cell of Benedictine monks was established on the islands circa 1255. The cell was dependent on Durham Abbey, now Durham Cathedral . A very small cell, it was usually home to only two monks, although on occasion this rose to as high as six.

The cell was dissolved in 1536 as part of King Henry VIII 's Dissolution of the Monasteries . [5] Following the dissolution of the monastic cell on the islands, the islands became the property of the Dean and Chapter of Durham Cathedral , who leased them to various tenants. The islands remained a detached part of County Durham until 1844, when the Counties (Detached Parts) Act transferred them to Northumberland. In 1861 the islands wereched sold to Charles Thorp , who was at the time Archdeacon of Durham . [5] In 1894 the islands were bought by the industrialist William Armstrong, 1st Baron Armstrong . [2] The islands are currently owned by the National Trust . [5] Remains still exist of the 7th century anchorite cell used by Saint Aiden and Saint Cuthbert, [2] as do the remains of a 14th-century chapel associated with the cell. Known as St Cuthbert's Chapel, the chapel is described as a "single-cell building of 4 bays". The remains of a second chapel have been incorporated into a later building.

[5] Grace Darling[ edit ] The Farne Islands are associated with the story of Grace Darling and the wreck of the Forfarshire . Grace Darling was the daughter of Longstone lighthouse-keeper (one of the islands' lighthouses), William Darling, and on 7 September 1838, at the age of 22 years, she and her father rescued nine people from the wreck of the 'Forfarshire' in a strong gale and thick fog, the vessel having run aground on Harcar Rock. The story of the rescue attracted extraordinary attention throughout Britain and made Grace Darling a heroine who has gone down in British folklore. [6] Today[ edit ] The islands have no permanent population, the only residents being National Trust Assistant Rangers during part of the year: they live in the old pele tower on the Inner Farne (the largest and closest inshore of the islands), and the lighthouse cottage on the Brownsman in the outer group. The pele tower was built c.1500, by or for Thomas Castell, Prior of Durham .[ citation needed ] Lighthouses[ edit ] Longstone lighthouse in the Farnes from where Grace Darling and her father launched their rescue.

The first lighthouse was built on the islands in 1773. [5] There are currently two lighthouses operated by Trinity House on the Farne Islands: Built in 1826 and originally named Outer Farne Lighthouse. Former lighthouses on the islands include: Farne Island Lighthouse (built in 1673 but never lit; replacement built in 1778, which was itself replaced with the current Farne Lighthouse in 1811) Staple Island Lighthouse (built in 1778 and blown down in 1784; a replacement, built either in the same place or on Brownsman's island, was knocked down by heavy seas in 1800) Brownsman Lighthouse (built in 1800, replaced with a new tower in 1811 and closed in 1826) A minor light was also established on the north west of Farne between 1811 and 1910. [7] Site of the former lighthouse on Brownsman Island (1811–26): its base remains attached to the right of the keeper's cottage.

Earlier, a light used to be shown from the tower on the left. All the operational lighthouses on the Farnes are now automatic and have no resident keepers, although in former years they did. The lighthouse is now maintained by Trinity House via its local lighthouse attendant, George Shiel, who provides guided tours inside the lighthouse. [8] Ruins of some of the older lighthouses may be seen: for example on the Brownsman, where there are two. Before the lighthouses there were beacons on several of the islands. The prominent white streak on the cliff facing the mainland (see photo) is often thought by visitors to be bird droppings: although many parts of the islands do exhibit this colouring, in this case it is the result of chalk deposits from the many years of spent calcium carbide from the lighthouse being thrown down the cliff; this calcium carbide was used to generate acetylene which was used as fuel for the light before electricity came. Ecology and natural history[ edit ] In the warmer months the Farnes, an important wildlife habitat, are much-visited by boat trips from Seahouses .

Local boats are licensed to land passengers on Inner Farne, Staple Island and the Longstone; landing on other islands is prohibited to protect the wildlife. At the right time of year, many puffins can be seen and these are very popular with visitors; on the Inner Farne, the Arctic terns nest close to the path and will attack visitors who come too close (visitors are strongly advised to wear hats). Some of the islands also support a population of rabbits , which were introduced as a source of meat and have since gone wild. The rabbit and puffin populations use the same burrows at different times, the puffins being strong enough (with a vicious bite) to evict the rabbits from the burrows during the nesting season.

The islands also hold a notable colony of about 6,000 grey seals , with several hundred pups born every year in September–November.[ citation needed ] A puffin safe in its burrow on the Farne Islands Breeding birds on the Farnes (as of 2012) include: Rock pipit – 20 pairs Black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) at nest on Staple Island A total of 290 bird species have been recorded on the Farnes, including in the 1760s, an example of the now extinct great auk . [9] On 28–29 May 1979, an Aleutian tern , a rare tern from the Aleutian Islands in the North Pacific Ocean , visited the Farnes. It was the first, and still the only, member of its species ever seen anywhere in Europe. It remains a complete mystery how it arrived here.

[10] A longer-staying unusual visitor was "Elsie" the lesser crested tern , who visited the Farnes every summer from 1984 to 1997; during that period she (paired with a male Sandwich tern), raised several hybrid chicks and attracted several thousand birders keen to see this species in Britain. Lesser crested terns normally nest on islands off the coast of Libya and migrate to West Africa for the winter; it is thought that "Elsie" took a wrong "tern" at the Straits of Gibraltar on spring migration. [11] An Arctic tern from the Farnes, ringed as a chick not yet old enough to fly in summer 1982, reached Melbourne , Australia in October 1982, a sea journey of over 22,000 km (14,000 mi) in just three months from fledging. This remains one of the longest distances travelled by any bird. One classic view of the Farnes, very popular with photographers, is that from the harbour at Seahouses.

However, they are closer to the mainland further up the road northwards towards Bamburgh and excellent views may be seen from here, in the vicinity of the Monks House Rocks, as well as from Bamburgh Castle and beach. Geology[ edit ] The Farnes are resistant igneous Dolerite outcrops. These would originally have been connected to the mainland and surrounded by areas of less resistant limestone . Through a combination of erosion of the weaker surrounding rock, and sea level rise following the last ice age , the Farnes were left as islands. Because of the way the rock is fissured, Dolerite forms strong columns. This gives the islands their steep, in places vertical cliffs , and the sea around the islands is scattered with stacks up to 66 feet (20 metres) high. Many of the small islands are bare rock, but the larger islands have a layer of clay subsoil and peat soil supporting vegetation. The rock strata slopes slightly upwards to the south, giving the highest cliffs on the south and some beaches to the north.

[12] Ship wrecks and diving[ edit ] As well as being popular with bird watchers, the Farne Islands are a popular scuba diving location, with a variety of sites suitable for all levels of diver. The islands appeal to divers for the seals and wrecks. The grey seal colony at the Farnes numbers about 5,000. They are curious and will often look in on divers in the water and are impressive to watch underwater. Hundreds of ships have been wrecked on the Farnes over the years, providing plenty for wreck divers to look at. Among them are: [13] Name 1960 Notable Dive Sites and Wrecks Chris Christenson, a Danish steamer that sank on 16 February 1915.

She lies close into the reef off the south tip of Longstone, Outer Farnes in about 98–115 feet (30–35 m) at ( 55°38.397′N 1°36.182′W﻿ / ﻿55.639950°N 1.603033°W﻿ / 55.639950; -1.603033 ). [14] [15] Abessinia , a 453-foot (138 m) German steamship that drove onto Knifestone, Outer Farnes, on 3 September 1921. She lies in about 30–66 feet (9.1–20.1 m) at ( 55°38.9′N 1°36.12′W﻿ / ﻿55.6483°N 1.60200°W﻿ / 55.6483; -1.60200 ).

Brittania, a 740t, 210-foot (64 m) British cargo/passenger steamship that struck the Callers, Outer Farnes, in thick fog on 25 September 1915. [16] The wreckage lies between about 26–98 feet (7.9–29.9 m) at ( 55°37.688′N 1°35.991′W﻿ / ﻿55.628133°N 1.599850°W﻿ / 55.628133; -1.599850 ). [17] [18] St Andre was a 1120t French steamship carrying pig iron. On 28 October 1908 she hit the Crumstone and floated off to sink finally at Staple island.

[19] She lies in about 56–82 feet (17–25 m) at ( 55°37.84′N 1°37.18′W﻿ / ﻿55.63067°N 1.61967°W﻿ / 55.63067; -1.61967 ). It is generally possible to dive at the Farnes regardless of wind direction. There is always shelter somewhere. Some dive locations even provide the opportunity to combine diving and bird watching, in particular the Pinnacles, where guillemots can be found fishing at safety stop depth. [20] References[ edit ] ^ e travel guide to Northumbria. "There are between 15 and 20 islands in number, depending upon the tide". Farne Islands : definition of Farne Islands and synonyms of Farne Islands (English) List of places: UK • England • Northumberland The Farne Islands (also referred to less formally as the Farnes) are a group of islands off the coast of Northumberland , England.

There are between 15 and 20 or more islands depending on the state of the tide . [1] They are scattered about 2.5–7.5 km (1½–4¾ miles) distant from the mainland, divided into two groups, the Inner Group and the Outer Group. The main islands in the Inner Group are Inner Farne, Knoxes Reef and the East and West Wideopens (all joined together on very low tides) and (somewhat separated) the Megstone; the main islands in the Outer Group are Staple Island , the Brownsman, North and South Wamses, Big Harcar and the Longstone. The two groups are separated by Staple Sound. The highest point, on Inner Farne, is 19 metres (62 feet) above mean sea level. Contents 7 References History The earliest recorded inhabitants of the Farne Islands were various Culdees , some connected with Lindisfarne . This followed the old Celtic tradition of island hermitages, found in England, Ireland , and Scotland . The first visitor recorded by name was Saint Aidan followed by Saint Cuthbert .

The latter was called to the bishopric of Lindisfarne but after two years he returned to the solitude of the Inner Farne and died there in 687, when Saint Aethelwold took up residence instead. Among other acts, Saint Cuthbert introduced special laws in 676 protecting the Eider ducks , and other seabirds nesting on the islands; these are thought to be the earliest bird protection laws anywhere in the world. The islands have no permanent population, the only residents being National Trust bird wardens during part of the year: they live in the old pele tower on the Inner Farne, the largest and closest inshore of the islands, and the lighthouse cottage on the Brownsman in the outer group. The pele tower was built by or for Thomas Castell, Prior of Durham about 1500. There is also a chapel set up on the site of St Cuthbert's oratory 600 years ago. It was restored in recent times with old material from a contaminated Cathedral. All the lighthouses on the Farnes are now automatic and have no resident keepers, although in former years they did.

Ruins of older lighthouses may be seen, for example on the Brownsman where there are two. Before the lighthouses there were beacons on several of the islands. The prominent white streak on the cliff facing the mainland (see photo) is often thought by visitors to be bird droppings: although many parts of the islands do exhibit this colouring, in this case it is the result of chalk deposits from the many years of spent calcium carbide from the lighthouse being thrown down the cliff; this calcium carbide was used to generate acetylene which was used as fuel for the light before electricity came. A map of Farne Islands in 1947 Longstone lighthouse in the Farnes from where Grace Darling and her father launched their rescue. Grace Darling One of the great attractions of the Farne Islands is the story of Grace Darling and the wreck of the Forfarshire .

Grace Darling was the daughter of Longstone lighthouse-keeper, William Darling, and on September 7, 1838, at the age of 22 years, she and her father rescued nine people in a strong gale and thick fog from the wreck of the Forfarshire, which had run aground on Harker rock. The story of the rescue attracted extraordinary attention throughout Britain and made Grace Darling a heroine who has gone down in British folklore. [2] Ecology and natural history In the warmer months the Farnes, an important wildlife habitat, are much visited by boat trips from Seahouses . Local boats are licensed to land passengers on Inner Farne, Staple Island and the Longstone; landing on other islands is prohibited to protect the wildlife. At the right time of year many puffins can be seen and these are very popular with visitors; on the Inner Farne, the arctic terns nest close to the path and will attack visitors who come too close (visitors are strongly advised to wear hats). Some of the islands also support a population of rabbits , which were introduced as a source of meat and have since gone wild.

The rabbit and puffin populations use the same burrows at different times, the puffins being strong enough (with a vicious bite) to evict the rabbits from the burrows during the nesting season. The islands also hold a notable colony of about 6,000 grey seals , with several hundred pups born every year in September–November. A puffin safe in its burrow on the Farne Islands Breeding birds on the Farnes (as of 2005) include: Rock Pipit – 20 pairs Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) at nest on Staple Island A total of 290 bird species have been recorded on the Farnes, including in the 1760s, an example of the now extinct Great Auk . [3] On 28–29 May 1979, an Aleutian Tern , a rare tern from the Aleutian Islands in the North Pacific Ocean , visited the Farnes. It was the first, and still the only, member of its species ever seen anywhere in Europe. It remains a complete mystery how it arrived here.

[4] A longer-staying unusual visitor was "Elsie" the Lesser Crested Tern , who visited the Farnes every summer from 1984 to 1997; during that period, she (paired with a male Sandwich Tern ) raised several hybrid chicks, and attracted several thousand birders keen to see this species in Britain. Lesser Crested Terns normally nest on islands off the coast of Libya and migrate to West Africa for the winter; it is thought that "Elsie" took a wrong "tern" at the Straits of Gibraltar on spring migration. [5] An Arctic Tern from the Farnes, ringed as a chick not yet old enough to fly in summer 1982, reached Melbourne , Australia in October 1982, a sea journey of over 22,000 km (14,000 mi) in just three months from fledging. This remains one of the longest distances travelled by any bird. One classic view of the Farnes, very popular with photographers, is that from the harbour at Seahouses.

However, they are closer to the mainland further up the road northwards towards Bamburgh and excellent views may be seen from here, in the vicinity of the Monks House Rocks, as well as from Bamburgh Castle and beach. Geology The Farnes are resistant igneous Dolerite outcrops. These would originally have been connected to the mainland and surrounded by areas of less resistant limestone . Through a combination of erosion of the weaker surrounding rock, and sea level rise following the last ice age , the Farnes were left as islands. Because of the way the rock is fissured, Dolerite forms strong columns. This gives the islands their steep, in places vertical cliffs , and the sea around the islands is scattered with stacks up to 20 metres (66 feet) high. Many of the small islands are bare rock, but the larger islands have a layer of clay subsoil and peat soil supporting vegetation. The rock strata slopes slightly upwards to the south, giving the highest cliffs on the south and some beaches to the north.

[6] Diving As well as being popular with bird watchers, the Farne Islands are a popular scuba diving location, with a variety of sites suitable for all levels of diver. The islands appeal to divers for the seals and wrecks. The grey seal colony at the Farnes numbers about 5,000. They are curious and will often look in on divers in the water and are impressive to watch underwater. Hundreds of ships have been wrecked on the Farnes over the years, providing plenty for wreck divers to look at. Among them are: Chris Christenson, a Danish steamer that sank on 16 February 1915. She lies close into the reef off the south tip of Longstone, Outer Farnes in about 30-35m at ( 55°38.397′N 1°36.182′W﻿ / ﻿55.63995°N 1.603033°W﻿ / 55.63995; -1.603033 ).

[7] [8] Brittania, a 740t, 210 ft British cargo/passenger steamship that struck the Callers, Outer Farnes, in thick fog on 25 September 1915. [9] The wreckage lies between about 8m-30m at ( 55°37.688′N 1°35.991′W﻿ / ﻿55.628133°N 1.59985°W﻿ / 55.628133; -1.59985 ). [10] [11] St Andre was a 1120t French steamship carrying pig iron. On 28 October 1908 she hit the Crumstone and floated off to sink finally at Staple island.

[12] She lies in about 17m-25m at ( 55°37.84′N 1°37.18′W﻿ / ﻿55.63067°N 1.61967°W﻿ / 55.63067; -1.61967 ). It is generally possible to dive at the Farnes regardless of wind direction. There is always shelter somewhere. Some dive locations even provide the opportunity to combine diving and bird watching, in particular the Pinnacles, where Guillemots can be found fishing at safety stop depth. [13] External links Northumberland: Darling tames the cruel sea - Telegraph Northern England Northumberland: Darling tames the cruel sea Sue Atwood visits the Northumberland coastline where the locals remember a young Victorian woman who ruled the waves 12:01AM BST 29 May 2002 Standing on the battlements of Bamburgh Castle on the Northumberland coast, looking out to where the Farne Islands lurk in the mist, there is a light winking at 20-second intervals.

The Longstone Light, which has been in operation since 1826 and became famous because of its association with Grace Darling, is now open to the public. Grace, whose father was the keeper of the Longstone, became a media tar in 1838 when, aged 22, she helped her father to rescue nine survivors from the wreck of the Forfarshire which had gone aground on the Harcar Rock near the lighthouse. The Victorians thrilled to the image of such courage in a frail girl; she was feted and her portrait painted in various guises from sweet-faced Jennifer Ehle lookalike to marine heroine, with streaming hair and determined jaw. Jack Shiel has been taking visitors out to the Farne Islands for nearly 30 years. I catch up with him at the harbour at Seahouses just as he is about to depart on his first trip of the day. The only other passengers are a family of five, parents and three children, a little girl with plaits aged about 10 and her two younger brothers, all with cameras. There's an atmosphere of eager anticipation on board.

Not a fan of the North Sea in small boats, I appreciate the timely safety warnings and feel a little easier seeing Jack's cousin George, having cast off, languidly immerse himself in the Northumbrian Gazette. No anticipated wrecks today, then. It's a brisk 20-minute motor out to the Farnes and a twitchers' delight of puffins, guillemots and kittiwakes crammed on the cliffs and stacks like a biblical multitude assembled to hear the Word. There's a distinct whiff of guano in the air. We look at seals from feet away as they lie draped across the rocks, Jack bringing the boat in so close you can almost touch them.. The red-and-white-painted Longstone stands on about two acres of bare rock (when the Darlings moved here from Brownsman Island after the new lighthouse was built, they had to continue to tend their vegetable plot on Brownsman by boat).

Related Articles Grace Darling anniversary: remembering 'the goddess of the sea’ 07 Sep 2013 Jack lets us in to the Longstone's ground-floor room which features in a well-known print showing the Forfarshire survivors looking traumatised and being tended in front of a roaring fire by the Darlings. On the second floor, up steep, narrow stairs, is Grace's circular bedroom which cannot have changed much since she slept here. The room is about nine feet across with a deep-set window and a wide white sill looking across to the Harcar Rock; it was from here at a quarter to five in the morning on September 7, 1838, that Grace first saw the wreck of the Forfarshire. Back on the boat, we follow the route that Grace and her father rowed that morning to the Forfarshire. They were well prepared and waited until low tide before rowing in the lee of the rocks. It was still extremely rough and they needed the help of two of the men they rescued to get back to the lighthouse.

Jack has rowed the route himself on a calm sea and in a rubber dinghy, not a heavy wooden cobble, and he says it's a hard row, whichever way you look at it. Later, I decide to walk the three miles along the beach from Seahouses to Bamburgh where Grace was born. The beach goes on for three to four miles and is rarely crowded. Today, with the sun on my face and the sea crashing to my right there are only four or five other people visible on the sands, their reflections shimmering in the water left by the receding tide. The Grace Darling Museum is at the top end of Bamburgh with its village green and noisy rookery. It houses Grace's 21ft cobble, and several of her charming little dresses, bonnets and documents relating to the rescue. Opposite the museum is the church where Grace is buried, the top of her mausoleum built high enough to make it visible out at sea. She died of tuberculosis three years after the rescue. I spend the night at Greengates, a cosy b & b across the road from the castle run by Claire Sundin and her seven-year-old daughter Zoe.

Next morning I stand on the windy battlements of the castle from where the cannon was fired in warning when the Forfarshire sank. I seem to have the place to myself. Room after room with golden parquet floors and full of treasures including Faberge and porcelain, suits of armour and paintings, and not an attendant in sight apart from the one at the entrance. On my way back down to the castle car park, I can see Lindisfarne to the north, the vast expanse of beach to the south and, across the grey sea to the east, the Farnes, from where, as always, comes the comforting flash of the Longstone.

RNLI – Seahouses Lifeboat Station, Northumberland, UK | Search and Rescue RNLI – Seahouses Lifeboat Station, Northumberland, UK Posted on Station opening times: 9am–dusk daily Accessibility: Disabled access, disabled parking, parking Visitor contact: John Hanvey Visitor contact telephone: 01665 720370 Shop telephone: 01665 721604 Funded by: The Grace Darling Anniversary Appeal together with other gifts and legacies Lifeboat name: Peter Downes Lifeboat class: D class For nearly 180 years, Seahouses (formerly North Sunderland) Lifeboat Station has operated an all-weather lifeboat and its crews have been presented with five awards for gallantry. Today the station operates both an all-weather lifeboat and an inshore lifeboat. This station is classed as an Explore station. Explore stations offer the best visitor experience. With free access, you can go inside and look around the station, see the lifeboat and, in most cases, pre-book a tour. They are normally open all year and have an RNLI gift shop.

HOLY ISLAND One frequent call out is to vehicles stranded on the causeway to Holy Island. The causeway is very well marked and signs warn of the dangers. In the image above, a vehicle is attempting a crossing before the causeway is clear of water. To the left of the vehicle (viewing the picture) is one of refuges on stilts. Pedestrians and vehicle occupants can seek safety if they are caught out by the incoming tide. Seahouses lifeboats are called to rescue stranded individuals and to check stranded vehicles. As with any rescue, there is risk and financial cost. The RNLI and Seahouses Lifeboat Station are funded by public donations and bequests, receiving no funding from the government. Stranded vehicles have to be closely approached to ensure that no one is trapped inside the vehicle. Hi-tech solar-powered signage advises drivers and pedestrians approaching the causeway to Holy island History The station was established in 1827 but little is known of its history before it was taken over by the Institution in 1852 from Lord Crewe’s trustees. Between 1827 and 1852 Seahouses had two lifeboats.

Of these early years however one of the notable events was the attempt that men of Seahouses made to rescue the survivors of the Forfarshire wrecked in 1838. Seven fishermen of Seahouses put out to the wreck only to find that the survivors had already been rescued by William Darling and Grace Darling, who set out from the lighthouse. MEDAL RECORD Four Medals have been awarded, Three Silver and one Bronze, the last being voted in 1959. WAR RECORD 1939-1945 “Grace Darling” 1991 to date Launches on Service: Lives rescued: Funded by the Grace Darling Anniversary Appeal and other gifts and legacies. The first motor lifeboat at this station, was the “W.R.A.” as detailed above, a 35 foot 6 inch Liverpool Class, non self righting, powered by a 35hp Weyburn AE6 petrol engine. Until then, the boats were powered by oars and sail, and by human strength difficult to imagine today. They were launched by men and women, pulling the launching carriage into the sea and surf.

It was not until 1961, that a motor tractor was issued to the station to aid in recovery and launch of the lifeboat. Today, the Tallus tractor can launch and recover the Mersey class lifeboat “Grace Darling” with a minimum of manpower assistance. A Landrover 110 replaced the quad bike used for launching the Inshore Lifeboat and towing the recovery equipment trailer for the Mersey. The Landrover also provides the option of taking the ILB to other launch sites by road, if that is more expedient. Fitted with blue lights and sirens, the vehicles can make progress through the holiday traffic if necessary. Notable dates in the history of the station. 1853 – Silver medal awarded to John T Knight, coastguard boatman, for his exertions in attempting to rescue the crew of the Schooner Nisus of Goole, which was wrecked at Seahouses during a north-east gale on 26 February. 1876 – Captain Colquhoun presented a full set of fine wheel and trace harness to the station. 1886 – Silver medal awarded to Coxswain Thomas Pringle in recognition of his long and valuable services in the lifeboat.

1894 – Mortar supplied for assembling the crew in lieu of existing bell which was not satisfactory. 1908 – Silver medal awarded to Coxswain James Robson for gallantly rescuing the crew of fourteen from the SS Geir of Bergen on 18 February. 1909 – The King of Norway conferred the Silver medal on Coxswain James Robson for services in rescuing the crew from the ss Geir of Bergen. 1934 – Centenary Vellum awarded to station. 1948 – When Mr E L Hooper was appointed as Honorary Secretary, it was stated that he was one of the men rescued by the Aldeburgh lifeboat from the Magdapur – one of the first lifeboat services of the 1939-45 war. 1959 – Bronze medal awarded to Coxswain Dawson for the rescue of a man from a cliff on the Inner Farne Islands on 12 July. Details of this Rescue. 1964 – D class lifeboat sent to station in May. 1977 – 150th Anniversary Vellum awarded to station.

1991 – Mersey class lifeboat Grace Darling placed on station. A new boathouse was completed in June for the Mersey class lifeboat, after the existing house was considered unsuitable. As well as providing accommodation for the Mersey lifeboat and carriage coupled to the tractor, it includes housing for the D class lifeboat, and crew facilities. 1996 – Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum was accorded to crew member Stephen Priestley. When at the helm of the D class lifeboat he rescued a wind surfer in heavy seas and surf close to the shore, with a rock scar extending out from the coastline, just north west of the boathouse, on 18 May. 1997 – New D class lifeboat D-529 placed on service on 4 November. 1999 – At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the RNLI held on 9 April 1999 it was resolved that the lifeboat station, then North Sunderland, be renamed Seahouses Lifeboat Station with immediate effect, as requested by the station personnel.

2000 – Lifeboat station extended to accommodate a long wheelbase Landrover, which replaced a quad bike, for launching the Inshore Lifeboat and towing the recovery equipment trailer for the Mersey Lifeboat. 2003 – “D” Class Helmsman receives letter of thanks for service to diver in difficulty in rough seas. 2008 – New D Class IB1 Lifeboat D-686 replaces D-529, which is transferred to the relief fleet at the end of its life as a “station” lifeboat. The Grace Darling Rescue On September 7th, 1838, an incident took place at the Farne Islands, off the North Northumberland Coast, which was to have profound effect on maritime rescue facilities, or indeed lack of them around the coast of the United Kingdom. The 400 ton paddle steamship “Forfarshire” was on passage from Hull to Dundee when it struck rocks near to the Longstone Lighthouse, in a northerly gale. The vessel broke in two almost immediately, and many passengers were drowned as the aft section quickly sank.

Some of the crew and one passenger were picked up in one of the ship’s boats, by a passing ship. Thirteen people had survived on the fore part of the stricken vessel, and were able to scramble onto the Harcar Rock. About half a mile away, on the Longstone Lighthouse, were William Darling, his wife Thomasin and their youngest daughter Grace. Their son William had across to Seahouses earlier, to help the herring fleet. At first light on the 8th, Grace spotted the wreck of the “Forfarshire from her bedroom window, and alerted her family. As the light grew stronger, they could just make out the survivors huddled on the rocks. Grace and her father decided at once to attempt a rescue, and put out in their 21ft coble, rowing it through heavy seas towards the casualties. They could not take a direct route, having to avoid other rocks, and with tremendous skill and courage, managed to reach the rocks and rescue some of the survivors, who in turn helped row the coble back to the lighthouse. Grace and her father decided to make a return trip to rescue those remaining, where they were also successfully saved and taken back to the lighthouse.

here they remained for 2 days due to the storms, being cared for by the Darling family. Meanwhile, William Robson, coxswain of the North Sunderland Lifeboat (Seahouses), on being informed of the wreck, decided to launch a local coble instead of the lifeboat, as he believed it would be better suited for getting close amongst the rocks. At this time, he was unaware of the rescue by Grace and William Darling. With 6 local men, James Robson, Michael Robson, Thomas Cuthbertson, William Swan, Robert Knox, and William Darling (the lighthouse keeper’s son), they set out into the storm. On reaching the Harcar Rock, they found that all had been rescued, and they then made their way to the Longstone Lighthouse, being impossible to return to Seahouses because of the sea state. However, on reaching the lighthouse, the accommodation was found to be full, and the crew had to take shelter in a derelict building for next two days. News of the gallant rescue by Grace and William Darling quickly spread throughout the country, and their bravery was duly recognized, the R.N.L.I. awarded them both silver gallantry medals.

They also received the Gold Medallion from the Royal Human Society, while Grace additionally received silver medals from the Glasgow Humane Society and the Edinburgh and Leith Humane Society. Sadly, four years later, this national heroine died of tuberculosis on October 20th, 1842. Her actions focused the nation on the issues of maritime rescue, serving as catalyst for the development of new safer Lifeboats, and development of the Lifeboat Service around the coastline of the United Kingdom. Her memorial stands in the churchyard of St Aidan’s Parish Church, Bamburgh, just a mile or so north of Seahouses, opposite the house where she was born. The Grace Darling Museum Close by is the Grace Darling Museum, dedicated to her memory and her heroic actions. The Museum is open daily (excluding Mondays in winter). To verify opening times, call the museum during office hours on 01668 214910. Completely redeveloped, with Heritage Lottery Funding, the Museum caters for individual or Group visits (by arrangement), and includes heritage workshop facilities.

Question: Who was the heroine who rescued 9 people from the wreck of the "Forfarshire", taking them to the lighthouse on the Longstone, one of the Farne Islands, on 7 September 1838?
Answer: Grace Darling