Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past History Information Request High Tide at Parkgate?

Tide heights are the result of –
(1) astronomical effects, which can be predicted
(2) meteorological effects which can not be predicted.

Astronomical – Spring tides are nothing to do with the Spring season. Each month has two spring tides – at full moon and at new moon. The moon is the main influence on the height of high water. The sun also has an effect but it is much less than the moon. Twice every year, around each equinox, the alignment of the sun and moon causes a stronger than normal influence on the tides – for 2012 these dates are 10th March (high water predicted to be 9.98 metres above Chart Datum) and 16th October (predicted to be 10 metres above CD). (A particularly high water of 10.37 metres is predicted on 29th September 2015.)

Meteorological – air pressure, wind direction and wind speed have a significant effect on water height. The bird-watchers who gather at Parkgate on the dates shown above will hope for low air pressure combined with a strong westerly wind. An exceptional storm surge on 27th October 2002 added 2.26 metres to the water height locally.

How much difference does one metre of tide height make? A typical high water of 8.5 metres floods the nineteen miles from Hilbre Island to the weir at Chester.

At Parkgate, silting has raised the marshland height above the estuary sands. Nevertheless, a combination of astronomical and meteorological influences still has the potential to cause the water to breach the sea wall.

Lots of information here and on that website’s other pages.

For anyone interested in the River Dee, this upcoming radio programme (Sun 1st Jan, 2115, Radio 3) looks as though it might be good - Parkgate isn't mentioned in the BBC website blurb, but Burton Marshes are.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b018nr4z

I didn't realise that Emma Hamilton, Nelson's mistress was actually from the Wirral. I knew she met him at Parkgate, as I read it in a local guide book. Fascinating stuff. Incidentally, if you ever get the chance to go to see HMS Victory, that's an education in itself. You are generally shown around by a bootneck (Royal Marine) NCO. They really know their history and it's well worth a visit. As an added bonus, the Mary Rose is next door. One of 'em had me laughing when we arrived at the plaque which shows where Nelson fell. It is raised about two inches off the deck. He said "No wonder he fell-he tripped over that bloody plaque"!!Another interesting piece of Nelson memorabilia is the topcoat he was wearing when he was shot by the French marksman. It shows the bullethole in the shoulder area, complete with bloodstain. It is on display at the Greenwich Maritime museum. Nelson was a true Brit. One of my all-time heroes.

Yes, she was christened in St.Mary's and St. Helen's Church, Neston.
We really do have loads of good connections in Wirral ! Try to get a copy of Neston Trail leaflet (it was available from the library a couple of years ago) that is also very interesting.

I stayed in a hotel in Exeter (opposite the cathedral) where Nelson stayed with Emma. It was funny to think he was in the room bonking a Wirral girl!! :-)

Has the room got a plaque on the door?
I think she had a fair bit of experience too. I was reading about her on wikipedia earlier , there is a lot of info about her. The casting couch may have played a big part in her rise to fame. Her father was a blacksmith who died when she was 2 months old and her mother took them off to Hawarden. So she wasn't here for long but we like our claim to fame here in Wirral.

Well if her dad was a blacksmith, she certainly had the pedigree for banging away all day!! :-)

Fil ! You are getting worse by the day.

Ha!! can just see Horatio hammering away at Emma-just like her Dad on the anvil!!

Hi Elizabeth. Greasby lad is correct. A very high tide with strong weather conditions gives the desired effect of getting battered. The next I can see is
10 meters on 10th March at 12.09pm. My experience at Parkgate was much the same as others, pretty uneventful for myself as I didn't have binoculars like the experts. There was a lot of activity, loads of birds flying off their nests. Some interesting species apparently. It's a shame there isn't a webcam there, that was another gimmick which only managed to be put in certain places like Hoylake. What happens at Hoylake?

Put into your search engine: Tide Tables Liverpool 2012.