Virgin Rocks
Encyclopedia
The Virgin Rocks are a series of rocky ridges just below the ocean surface on the Grand Banks
. They rise to within 3.6 m of the surface and are a navigation hazard to ocean going vessels in the North Atlantic.
The rocks were first reported by Jorge Reinel
circa 1516 — 1522 and are noted as good fishing grounds in the era of the schooner
fleet. It was used as a rendezvous point for the banking fleets. In June 1964 an expedition sponsored by the Government of Newfoundland
, Memorial University of Newfoundland
and the College of Fisheries
explored the Virgin Rocks. A team of divers were sent down to mount a plaque on the ocean bottom in 19 m of water, the first time man had walked upon the surface of the Grand Banks.
GeoScience World gives their co-ordinates as 46° 25'N 50° 49'W, following an expedition.
The Virgin Rocks are referenced in Rudyard Kipling
's novel, Captains Courageous
. In chapter 8 they are described as follows:
"Next day several boats fished right above the cap of the Virgin; and Harvey, with them, looked down on the very weed of that lonely rock, which rises to within twenty feet of the surface. The cod were there in legions, marching solemnly over the leathery kelp..."
Grand Banks
The Grand Banks of Newfoundland are a group of underwater plateaus southeast of Newfoundland on the North American continental shelf. These areas are relatively shallow, ranging from in depth. The cold Labrador Current mixes with the warm waters of the Gulf Stream here.The mixing of these waters...
. They rise to within 3.6 m of the surface and are a navigation hazard to ocean going vessels in the North Atlantic.
The rocks were first reported by Jorge Reinel
Jorge Reinel
Jorge Reinel born Lisbon renown Portuguese cartographer and instructor in cartography, son of the well-known cartographer Pedro Reinel. In 1519 in Seville he participated in the maps designed for the trip of his countryman Ferdinand Magellan, and his depiction of the Maluku Islands served as a...
circa 1516 — 1522 and are noted as good fishing grounds in the era of the schooner
Schooner
A schooner is a type of sailing vessel characterized by the use of fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts with the forward mast being no taller than the rear masts....
fleet. It was used as a rendezvous point for the banking fleets. In June 1964 an expedition sponsored by the Government of Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland, is a comprehensive university located primarily in St...
and the College of Fisheries
Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland
The Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland, popularly referred to as the Marine Institute or simply Marine, is a post-secondary ocean and marine polytechnic located in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada...
explored the Virgin Rocks. A team of divers were sent down to mount a plaque on the ocean bottom in 19 m of water, the first time man had walked upon the surface of the Grand Banks.
GeoScience World gives their co-ordinates as 46° 25'N 50° 49'W, following an expedition.
The Virgin Rocks are referenced in Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling
Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English poet, short-story writer, and novelist chiefly remembered for his celebration of British imperialism, tales and poems of British soldiers in India, and his tales for children. Kipling received the 1907 Nobel Prize for Literature...
's novel, Captains Courageous
Captains Courageous
Captains Courageous is an 1897 novel, by Rudyard Kipling, that follows the adventures of fifteen-year-old Harvey Cheyne Jr., the arrogant and spoiled son of a railroad tycoon...
. In chapter 8 they are described as follows:
"Next day several boats fished right above the cap of the Virgin; and Harvey, with them, looked down on the very weed of that lonely rock, which rises to within twenty feet of the surface. The cod were there in legions, marching solemnly over the leathery kelp..."