Site Record

The Sarn extending westward from Wallog divides into four - Sarn Wallog, Sarn Gynflein, Gynfelin Patches and Outer Patch (see NPRN 518515-8) . The water depths shown on this historic chart is 1 3/4 fathoms. Lewis Morris' early chart for Aberystwyth Bay shows the shoal drying near land and then with depth os 2-6 fathoms. The depiction is annotated '? extending to sea about seven miles, at the end of which is that patch of foul ground called Caerryddno which comes dry on spring tides?' Admiralty Sailing Directions dating to 1870 decribes the elements making up to the whole thus 'It begins as a narrow tongue of shingle and pebbles intermixed with large stones named Sarn Wallog, which stretches out seaward in a NW by W 1/2 W direction, and drying at spring tides for the distance of half a mile, but is entirely covered throughout its whole extent when the tide has risen from 6 to 8 feet. For the next 2 miles it assumes the name of the Sarn Gynfelin, and further out as the Gynfelin patches to the distance of 6 miles, when it suddenly terminates. A conical buoy, with black and white rings is moored on about 4 1/2 fathoms outside the danger? As the tidal streams are not strong in the vivnity of the Gynfelin, there is conseqeuntly no overfalls upon them but in fine weather they cause a ripple through the extent, a warning of which timely notice should be given from the mast head.'

Sources include:
Admiralty, 1870, Sailing Directions for the West Coast of England from Milford Haven to the Mull of Galloway including the Isle of Man, pg40-44
Historic Admiralty Chart 1411_A5, RCAHMW digital collections sourced from the UK Hydrographic Office and first published in 1842
Morris, L, 1748, Plans of Harbours, Bars, Bays and Roads in St George's Channel, plate 16

Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, August 2014.