Harrington Sound, Bermuda
Encyclopedia
Harrington Sound is a large inland body of water in the northeast of the main island of Bermuda
. It is surrounded by the main island on all sides, only appearing open to the ocean via a small channel called Flatt's Inlet
in the southwest. Much of the sound's water flows to and from the ocean via subterranean cavern systems, notably Crystal Cave
and Leamington Cave.
Harrington Sound is surrounded by the parishes of Smith's
, Hamilton
, and St. George's
. It is well known for fishing, swimming, sailing and kayaking.
The sound was named for Lucy Harington, Countess of Bedford. It is the lowest point on the Bermuda sea platform, although the actual depth has yet to be determined. A U.S. Geological survey team attempted a depth-check operation in June of 1998, but didn't possess the equipment to reach the bottom, leading to some local superstition that the crater is in fact, bottomless. Its geological origins are uncertain, though it is confirmed as the volcanic crater through which the Bermuda Isles erupted. There are numerous small islands in the sound, notably Trunk Island
.
Unfortunately, as Bermuda's human population (and fishing) has increased there has been an equivalent drop in the populations of the sound's formerly abundant shellfish, such as Bermuda Scallops.
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
. It is surrounded by the main island on all sides, only appearing open to the ocean via a small channel called Flatt's Inlet
Flatt's Inlet, Bermuda
Flatt's Inlet is a small channel in Bermuda which joins Harrington Sound with the Atlantic Ocean. It lies almost exactly between the territory's two municipalities, Hamilton and St...
in the southwest. Much of the sound's water flows to and from the ocean via subterranean cavern systems, notably Crystal Cave
Crystal Cave, Bermuda
Crystal Cave is the most famous of Bermuda's many subterranean caverns. It is located in Hamilton Parish, close to Castle Harbor. A tourist attraction since 1907, it was discovered in 1905 by Carl Gibbons and Edgar Hollis, two 12 year-old boys searching for a lost cricket ball. Soon after, the...
and Leamington Cave.
Harrington Sound is surrounded by the parishes of Smith's
Smith's Parish, Bermuda
Smith's Parish is one of the nine parishes of Bermuda. It is named for English aristocrat Sir Thomas Smith/Smythe .-Description:...
, Hamilton
Hamilton Parish, Bermuda
Hamilton Parish is one of the nine parishes of Bermuda. It was renamed for Scottish aristocrat James Hamilton, 2nd Marquess of Hamilton when he purchased the shares originally held in the Virginia Company by Lucy, Countess of Bedford.It is located in the northwest of the island chain, and is...
, and St. George's
St. George's Parish, Bermuda
St. George's Parish is one of the nine parishes of Bermuda. It is named after the founder of the Bermuda colony, Admiral Sir George Somers.It is located in the north-easternmost part of the island chain, containing a small part of the main island around Tucker's Town and the Tucker's Town...
. It is well known for fishing, swimming, sailing and kayaking.
The sound was named for Lucy Harington, Countess of Bedford. It is the lowest point on the Bermuda sea platform, although the actual depth has yet to be determined. A U.S. Geological survey team attempted a depth-check operation in June of 1998, but didn't possess the equipment to reach the bottom, leading to some local superstition that the crater is in fact, bottomless. Its geological origins are uncertain, though it is confirmed as the volcanic crater through which the Bermuda Isles erupted. There are numerous small islands in the sound, notably Trunk Island
Trunk Island, Bermuda
Trunk Island is the largest island in Harrington Sound, Bermuda. Its area is , and it contains two houses: a main mansion and a guest cottage. The island has been owned by the Tucker/Gardner family since the early 19th century and was used as a summer camp for Bermudian groups such as Sea Scouts...
.
Unfortunately, as Bermuda's human population (and fishing) has increased there has been an equivalent drop in the populations of the sound's formerly abundant shellfish, such as Bermuda Scallops.