Three White Ladies and the art of Navigation

What are the mysterious White Ladies of Anglesey, and why were they built? In this episode of Sailing Melody, I set sail from Beaumaris and head north through Puffin Sound, past Penmon Lighthouse and around the north coast of Anglesey on a voyage to investigate three unusual white navigation towers known as the White Ladies. The plan was simple: sail past Middle Mouse and West Mouse, get some good footage, and find out more about these remarkable nineteenth-century navigation marks. Unfortunately, the weather had other ideas. Visibility was terrible for almost the entire passage. Passing through Puffin Sound was an eerie experience, with Penmon Lighthouse barely visible to port and the navigation marks appearing and disappearing into the haze. By the time I reached Middle Mouse, I could hardly see it at all. Even West Mouse and the White Ladies remained frustratingly elusive. So, rather than give up, I came back another day—this time by campervan, with my drone—to explore the coast around Carmel Head, find the White Ladies, and discover how these remarkable structures helped sailors navigate some of the most dangerous waters around the coast of Anglesey long before GPS and modern electronic navigation. Along the way, we explore: ⚓ Sailing from Beaumaris and through Puffin Sound ⚓ Penmon Lighthouse and the dangerous waters around Puffin Island ⚓ The history of the Rothesay Castle disaster ⚓ Middle Mouse and West Mouse ⚓ Carmel Head and the White Ladies navigation towers ⚓ Tidal streams, reefs and navigational hazards around Anglesey ⚓ How sailors navigated before GPS ⚓ Drone footage of the Anglesey coastline ⚓ My campervan mobile editing setup ⚓ The Sherpa 3.6 power system ⚓ How the ORCA navigation system helped provide valuable situational awareness during a passage in poor visibility ⚓ And finally, the arrival in Holyhead This episode became much more than a simple sail around Anglesey. What started as an attempt to film three unusual navigation towers turned into a journey through the history of navigation—from nineteenth-century daymarks and visual transits to the modern electronic systems we use on board today. Sometimes the best stories are the ones that don't quite go according to plan. If you enjoy sailing adventures, cruising, boat life and exploring the fascinating history of the coast, subscribe to Sailing Melody and come along for the next adventure. To browse our store visit : www.promarinestore.co.uk To become a Patron of Sailing Melody visit : www.patreon.com/sailingmelody #Sailing #Anglesey #SailingAdventure #Navigation #BoatLife