Spithead

Spithead is a part of the Solent off the coast of Hampshire in southern England.

Compared to the western part, the actual Solent, Spithead is as the eastern part of the strait called northeast of the Isle of Wight, which is so southwest of the port city of Portsmouth. The Spithead has a length of about 22.5 km and an average width of about 6.5 km. Due to its location the Spithead is being protected from winds from almost all directions, just southeast winds can blow freely across the Spithead.

Because of the wind-protected location served Spithead in past centuries as mooring of ships of the Royal Navy and was also a place of sightseeing fleet used by English kings such as at June 26, 1897 at the Diamond Anniversary of Coronation of Queen Victoria. There the Turbinia, the first ship came with steam turbine, in appearance, and hung all the steam piston operated from ships. This convinced the Royal Navy of the future to build only turbine ships.

1782 capsized and sank the battleship HMS Royal here George, while it was at anchor. Between 800 and 950 people drowned there.

In 1797, sailors of the Royal Navy mutinied on the ships that lay at anchor in Spithead.

Since 1864, the coastal fortifications were built around the Spithead to complete the fortifications of the main British naval port Portsmouth.

50.749925 - 1.112366Koordinaten: 50 ° 45 '0 " N, 1 ° 6' 45 " W

• Bay in England
• Bay in Europe
• Bay ( English Channel )
• Geography ( Hampshire)
• Portsmouth
• Geography (Isle of Wight )