Solent
| Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R) |
Solent (सोलेंट) is a strait between the Isle of Wight and Great Britain. It is about 32 km long and varies in width between 4 and 8 km, although the Hurst Spit which projects 2.4 km into the Solent narrows the sea crossing between Hurst Castle and Colwell Bay to just over 1.6 km.
Variants
Etymology
The word predates Old English, and is first recorded in 731 as Soluente. This original spelling suggests a possible derivation from the Brittonic element -uente, which has endured throughout the history of Hampshire, as in the Roman city of Venta Belgarum (Latinised as Venta), the post-Roman kingdom of Y Went, and the modern name of Winchester.[1]
It later appears in Anglo-Saxon records as Solentan.[2]
A pre-Celtic and supposedly Semitic root meaning "free-standing rock" has also been suggested as a possible description of the cliffs marking western approach of the strait. This Semitic origin may be a relic of the Phoenician traders who sailed to Britain from the Mediterranean as part of the ancient tin trade.[3]
Another suggestion is that the name may reflect the number of Northern Gannets (previously known as Solans or the Solan Goose) along the coast.[4]
History
The Solent is a major shipping lane for passenger, freight and military vessels. It is an important recreational area for water sports, particularly yachting,[5] hosting the Cowes Week sailing event annually. It is sheltered by the Isle of Wight and has a complex tidal pattern, which has benefited Southampton's success as a port, providing a "double high tide" that extends the tidal window during which deep-draught ships can be handled. Portsmouth lies on its shores. Spithead, an area off Gilkicker Point near Gosport, is known as the place where the Royal Navy is traditionally reviewed by the monarch of the day.
The area is of great ecological and landscape importance, particularly because of the coastal and estuarine habitats along its edge. Much of its coastline is designated as a Special Area of Conservation. It is bordered by and forms a part of the character of a number of nationally important protected landscapes including the New Forest National Park, and the Isle of Wight AONB.
External links
References
- ↑ Matasović, Ranko. "wentā" in the Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Celtic at Indo-European Etymological Dictionaries Online. Brill Online, 2020.
- ↑ A.D. Mills, Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names, 2nd ed. (Oxford University Press, 1998: ISBN 0-19-280074-4), p. 318.
- ↑ Theo, Vennemann. Europa Vasconica, Europa Semitica. pp. 511–512.
- ↑ http://www.solentpedia.info/our_heritage/
- ↑ http://www.solentpedia.info/enjoying_our_coast/take_to_the_water/