TheVarne Bank orVarne Shoal is a5+3⁄4-mile (9.3 km) longsand bank in theStrait of Dover, lying 9 miles (14 km) southwest ofDover inKent,England.[1][2] With the Lobourg Channel running parallel to it, the Varne bank lies immediately south-west of the deepest point 223 feet (68 m) in the strait of Dover. Its rectilinear shape is similar to other banks in the strait such as South Falls bank bordering the Lobourg Channel on the east, the Colbart bank (a.k.a. the Ridge) and others. Rectilinear banks are only present on the English side of the strait.[3]
Lying almost in the middle of the south-west-facing international traffic lane on the English side of theEnglish Channel, the Varne Bank is a constant concern for bothBritish coastguards and shipping.[4] The sea above it ripples strongly, especially during strong tides and bad weather.[5]
With a minimum depth of about 2 metres (7 ft), it is marked byTrinity House with lighted buoys at the North, South, East and West.[6]Due to the risk it presents, it has also marked the bank with alightvessel since October 1860, located initially "near the west end of the Varne Shoal", 9 nautical miles (17 km) south ofFolkestone church;[7][8][9] over time it has been placed at various positions, and is now off its north-eastern end.[6][10]
Ships which founder on the Varne Bank are often stated as being lost on theGoodwin Sands in error, perhaps because the Varne Bank is less well known than its close northerly neighbour. Due to the increase of shipping through the world's busiest channel, several proposals have been made to eliminate the Varne Bank bydredging.[11] However, also due to its shallow depth, the Varne Bank is a productive location forfishing, especially forcod andscallops.
In 1802, mining engineer Albert Mathieu made proposals toNapoleon for converting the Varne Bank into an island staging point for aChannel Tunnel.
During the 20th century, a proposal was made for a bridge across the Channel, which would have used the Varne Bank as a staging post for a support structure.
Severalnaval battles have been fought nearby, including theBattle of Dover andBattle of Dungeness in 1652 and theBattle of Dover Strait in 1917.[12]
The Varne Bank along with its neighbouring bankColbart, theVergoyer bank, theridens (fr) de Boulogne and the French side of theBassurelle bank, form part of a 262 square miles (680 km2)Natura 2000 protection zone listed by the name « Ridens et dunes hydrauliques du détroit duPas de Calais » ("Ridges anddunes underwater of the strait of Pas de Calais").[13]
varne.
51°0′0″N1°22′30″E / 51.00000°N 1.37500°E /51.00000; 1.37500