The 28km
long waterway of Southampton Water is now one of Europe's busiest shipping
routes - its best known feature is its double high tide which is caused
by of the position of the Isle of Wight which gives the water two entrances.
In medieval times, the port prospered from the wool and wine trade. It
was always of military importance - after the Norman Conquest in 1066,
kings would use it as the main embarkation point for France.
The industrial revolution and the growth in world trade meant the waterway
played a unique role, and was dredged and deepened to allow large cargo
vessels - and great passenger liners - to ply up and down.
Japanese
'Sargassum muticum'
Over the years,
cargo and cruise ships from all over the world have visited the port of
Southampton - they have brought 'stowaways' on their hulls or in their ballast
water - overseas plant and animal species which have changed the environment
of Southampton Water. Barnacles and sea squirts probably arrived on ships
hulls in 1940's - both are now common.
A beautiful brown seaweed (Sargassum muticum) which is native to Japan,
arrived in 1973 and has now become dominant - it is actually good for native
wildlife but it chokes harbours, fishing nets and ships' propellers.
Continue walking along the beach in the direction of the yacht club.
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