Engelsmanplaat

Template: Infobox Island / Maintenance / image missing template: Infobox Island / Maintenance / height missing

The Engelsmanplaat is a high sand in the Wadden Sea between Ameland and Schiermonnikoog about four kilometers off the coast of the province of Friesland. It has an area of ​​less than one square kilometer and is covered with barely vegetated dunes. From 1973 to 1991, she was managed by the State Forestry. It is an important breeding and resting area for birds such as the Sanderling (Calidris alba) and the Alpine beach runners (Calidris alpina). Since 1991, the sandbar is freely available and a popular destination for hikers and Watt Wadden Sea sailors.

History

Over time, the Engelsmanplaat has changed steadily. In 1500, she was just a big sand bank, but in the 19th century, the west side eroded greatly. The erosion is caused by the cyclic changes in the currents in the Gatt between Ameland and the Engelsmanplaat. The damming of the Lauwerszee has profound influence on sandbars and shoals between Ameland and Schiermonnikoog. Since 1985 also erodes the east coast of the island, so the island is expected to be gone by the end of the 21st century.

Naming

The island is also known by other names, such as Ingelsche Plaet, Langhe Sandt, 't Hooge Sandt, Hooghe Banc or Jouerman. The inhabitants of Friesland finally they call De Kalkman.

The present name is supposed to be 1708 after the stranding of a mussel fishing vessel from Schiermonnikoog, which belonged to the fishermen Feye Willems Engelsman. On Ameland, however, is told that there an English ship wrecked in a storm and drowned the crew was also buried there.