Scilly

The Isles of Scilly lie in the Atlantic off the southwestern tip of Cornwall, a cluster of low islands and reefs on the approaches to the English Channel. Their sheltered anchorages offered refuge, but the surrounding rocks were dangerous to ships. During the Civil War the islands became a Royalist stronghold, surrendering to Parliament in 1651. In 1707 several Royal Navy ships struck the reefs and sank, a disaster that exposed the difficulties of navigation at sea.