NEEDLES (THE), a group of insulated chalk rocks off the W extremity of the Isle of Wight; flanking Alum bay and the entrance to the Solent, 3 ½ miles SSW of Hurst castle, and 4 ¾ SW of Yarmouth. They originally formed the extreme W point of the middle range of the Isle of Wight downs; they were insulated by the disintegration of the rock in the direction of the strata’s fissures; they have a wedge-shaped form, which resulted from a highly inclined northward dip of their strata; they stretch out seaward, nearly in a straight line with the promontory of which they once formed a part; they will, in course of time, be extended landward, by the insulation, from the headland, of other masses similar to themselves; they are, at present, five in number, though only three rise boldly from the sea; they formerly included a tall, slender, conical pinnacle, about 120 feet high, known as Lot’s wife, which fell in 1764, and the stump of which now forms a dangerous reef; and they took their name of Needles originally from that pinnacle, but may be said to take it now from numerous spirelets which are presented on the profile of their E side. The one of them nearest the land became insulated between 1815 and 1820; and the mass composing it was previously connected by an arch with the main cliff. The westernmost one is surmounted by a lighthouse, erected in 1859, with a light at an elevation of 474 feet above the sea, and visible at a distance of 11 leagues; has a graceful form; and commands, from the lantern, a most remarkable and romantic view. The Pomona 50-gun frigate, on her homeward voyage from Persia, was wrecked on that rock in 1811.
Source: The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales [Wilson, John M]. A. Fullarton & Co. N. d. c. [1870-72].
have to say here that anyone doing their family history for IOW will stumble upon a really well crafted site through local bmd connection, for all the records of bmd, photos of churches, photos of tombs and a raft of information is available. HAving had relatives IOW i found it amazingly easy to use the site…. then to find out one of Haywoods was part of the inception…. So anyone travelling to IOW should have a famous crab pastie from the little shack on the coast and Mrs Haywood will have great pleasure in making sure you’re made welcome.
On a serious note however, Shergold of Isle of Wight is a well documented soul. Captain Edgar Arthur Shergold was a Captain (and mariner) for the Canadian Shipping Lines before during and after WWII ….. Many People around the world travelling on liners in those days who didnt go White Star or Flottta would have been most probably on CSL which still exists today more in cargo… Some of the vessels Shergold was on are documented ie Queen Elizabeth went to Canada aboard one, another was sunk by Nazis during war, another was used to transport AOWs to USA, Marcus Sieff was also aboard one, and he was known not only of Marks & Spencer in London but for opening up Ports in worntorn Europe so the Allies could get vessels in….