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Sandwich (River Stour)
Courtesy Flag
Flag, Red EnsignWaypoint
None GivenCharts
Admiralty 1827, SC5605Rules & Regulations
6 Knts Speed LimitHazards
Drying Bar, Strong Flood TideTidal Data Times & Range
HW at bar +0015 Dover, HW Sandwich Quay +0100 Dover, MHWS 3.3m, MHWN 2.6m, MLWN 0,3m, MLWS 0.1mThis site is designed for slower, roaming broadband connections, like you would get at sea, so it needs JavaScript enabled to expand the text. Click here to show the fully expanded version
General Description
Sandwich is another Cinque Port town that has found itself silted up and nowadays lays some 4 1/2 miles from the sea. Like Rye, the town has an very interesting history and is picturesque in the extreme.
A good look at the map provided will show how in times gone past ships could easilly reach the town. In fact the French did just that in 1457 when 4000 men from Honfleur gave the town of "Sand Wick" a good sacking, more or less burning the place down. On this infamous day the Town Mayor met his end, an event still commemorated by the present day Mayor wearing black. Nowadays with Anglo-French relationships somewhat less antagonistic, the town of Sandwich is twinned with Honfleur. ... read more
Approach
The tidal flows in the River Stour are slightly unusual with the net result that strangers are advised to only tackle the passage to Sandwich on a rising tide.
The tide times given in the link are for Richborough, which is near the entrance. High water at the Quay comes around 40 minutes later. The flood tide can reach a surprising speed in the last hour or two. This is probably because the flood is of a somewhat shorter than usual duration, varying between three and five hours. The duration of the flood is dependent on it's height and also on the amount of freshwater trying to flow out of the River. In contrast to the truncated flood, the ebb can persist for up to 9 hours....
The bar across Pegwell Bay dries out at almost 1 m over CD. The River varies between depths of 0.5 m and 1 m under CD with plenty of drying patches. Levels fluctuate and cannot be guaranteed. Maximum depth at the quay is slightly over 2 m during spring tides. Almost this much can be carried under the swing bridge at Sandwich to the adjacent boatyard. With careful pilotage boats drawing up to 2 m can reach Sandwich at spring tides. At other times only shallower draft craft should attempt the passage..... after careful consultations with the charts and tide tables.
Further Pilotage Details... ... read more
Berthing, Mooring & Anchoring
There is not enough room for the yachtsman or motorboater to anchor anywhere within the River Stour. Most make straight for Sandwich Town Quay...
When following the river towards Sandwich you will come across "Sandwich Marina" on your starboard hand in Bowling Green Reach. This offers boatyard facilities and long-term moorings, while also catering for live aboards. A link to their website is provided below: ... read more
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