Sandys Parish
| Sandys Parish | |
| Bermuda | |
|---|---|
 The old Royal Dockyard | |
 | |
| Location: | 32°18’-0"N, 64°52’0"W |
Sandys Parish is one of the nine parishes of Bermuda. It is named for Sir Edwin Sandys (1561–1629), one the nine chief investors of the Somers Isles Company (hence there is no apostrophe in the name). The name of the parish is pronounced in the same manner as the surname: Sands.[1]
The parish is the western end of the territory, occupying a small portion of the main island of Bermuda, its westernmost end, and three other major islands: Ireland Island, Boaz Island, and the larger Somerset Island, as well as a the smaller islands among and between them. These islands make up the western coast of the Great Sound, the large expanse of water which dominates the geography of western Bermuda. Sandys adjoins just one other parish; Southampton Parish to the south on the main island. In common with the other parishes of Bermuda, Sandys covers 2.3 square miles or 1,500 acres.
About the parish
Natural features in Sandys include Ely's Harbour, the Cathedral Rocks, Daniel's Head, and Mangrove Bay.
The old Royal Naval Dockyard is on Ireland Island in the parish.
The Somerset Bridge links the mainland to Somerset Island, all within the parish. This is reputedly the smallest drawbridge in the world. The bridge consists of cantilevered half-spans, separated by an 18-inch gap bridged by a thick timber panel. If a yacht wishes to pass, the captain must wait for a co-operative passer-by to remove the panel, so as to allow the boat’s mast (which must be unstayed) to slip through the gap.
Outside links
References
| Parishes of Bermuda |
|---|
|
Devonshire • Hamilton • Paget • Pembroke • St George's • Sandys • Smith's • Southampton • Warwick |
Coordinates: 32°18′00″N 64°52′00″W / 32.3°N 64.8666667°W
