Balta Sound
Balta Sound is a sound (inlet) on the east coast of the island of Unst in the Shetland Islands, Scotland.[1][2] The sound is sheltered from the North Sea to the east by the uninhabited island of Balta. The sound is subject to daily tides.[3]
The settlement at the west of the sound is Baltasound taking its name from the sound.[4][5] On the land to the south of the Sound is Unst Airport.[6]
History
[edit | edit source]In the 19th and early 20th century, Chromate of iron was mined on the north side of Balta Sound and taken away in ships via the Sound to Leith and Bo'ness.[7]
In 1894, Balta sound was described as "altogether about 2 miles long and half a mile wide."[8]
On 12 March 1917, the World War I British E-class submarine HMS E49 was heading out of Balta Sound on patrol when it struck a naval mine laid by German U-boat SM UC-76. It was sunk in the channel between the islands of Huney and Balta with the loss of the entire crew.[9] The site of the wreck is now designated as a war grave. There is a memorial at Hamar, near Baltasound.[10]
Nautical facilities
[edit | edit source]There is a harbour facility with anchorages for ships.[11] There is a pier[3] with berths for up to 160 metres in length.[11]
The dept of water in the harbour is given as 5.0 metres.[11]
References
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