Plymouth Sound

Arm of the English Channel between Devon and Cornwall, covering an area of 2,226 ha/5,500 acres. It provides good anchorage. Its inlets include the Catwater (or ‘ Cattewater’), Sutton Pool, Mill Bay, Stonehouse Pool, the Hamoaze (a naval harbour at the estuary of the River Tamar), and Cawsand Bay. A long breakwater was completed 4 km/2.5 mi south of the Hoe in 1845, to provide shelter from southwesterly gales.