What is Casquets?
[[Image:Guernsey-Les Casquets.png|thumb|right|250px|Location map of Les Casquets]] [[Image:Almanach Nouvelle Chronique de Jersey 1891 carte localisation Îles de la Manche.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Channel Island map, showing location of Casquets]] '''Les Casquets''' or (The) '''Casquets''' ({{Coord|49|43.|4|N|2|22.|7|W|}}) is a group of [[islet|rock]]s 13&nbsp;kilometres (8.08&nbsp;mi) northwest of [[Alderney]] and are part of an underwater [[sandstone]] ridge. Other parts which emerge above the water are the islets of [[Burhou]] and [[Ortac]]. Little grows on them. ==Origin of name== Theories as to the origin of the name include: *derivation from the [[French language|French]] 'cascade', which alludes to the [[tides|tidal surges]] which flow around them; *derivation from 'casque', referring to the helmet-like shape of the rocks; *derivation from 'cas' (broken) and 'quet' (rock). A map (''Leyland map'') dated from around 1640 gives a Latin name ''Casus Rupes'' (broken rocks), which would seem to confirm the third theory above,<ref>''Alderney Place Names'', Royston Raymond, 1999 Alderney {{ISBN|0-9537127-0-2}}</ref> but which may be a [[folk etymology]]. ==History== === Wrecks === There have been numerous [[wreck]]s on the [[islet]]s; fierce tides reaching 6-7 knots on springs and a lack of landmarks account for many wrecks in the area. The most famous include [[SS Stella|SS ''Stella'']], wrecked in 1899. The largest wreck was the 8000 tonne water tanker ''[[Constantia S]]''. It was believed for centuries that [[HMS Victory (1737)|HMS ''Victory'']] was wrecked in 1744 on the Casquets, the lightkeeper of Alderney even being court-martialled for failure to keep the light on at the time of the ship's loss. However, when the wreck of that ship was found in 2008, it was over 60&nbsp;nautical miles (110&nbsp;km) from the Casquets.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/science/03shipwreck.html?hp Wreck of Warship Is Found in English Channel] 02 February 2009</ref> ===Casquets lighthouses=== [[Image:Les Casquets.JPG