- published: 22 Jul 2014
- views: 6535
Coordinates: 51°30′58″N 0°34′59″E / 51.516°N 0.583°E / 51.516; 0.583
Canvey Island (area 18.45 km² - 7.12 mi²; pop. 37,479) is a civil parish and reclaimed island in the Thames estuary in England. It is separated from the mainland of south Essex by a network of creeks. Lying only just above sea level it is prone to flooding at exceptional tides, but has nevertheless been inhabited since the Roman invasion of Britain.
The island was mainly agricultural land until the 20th century when it became the fastest growing seaside resort in Britain between 1911-1951. The North Sea flood of 1953 devastated the island costing the lives of 58 islanders, and led to the temporary evacuation of the 13,000 residents. Canvey is consequently protected by modern sea defences comprising 15 miles (24 km) of concrete seawall.
Canvey is also notable for its relationship to the petrochemical industry. The island was the site of the first delivery in the world of liquefied natural gas by container ship, and later became the subject of an influential assessment on the risks to a population living within the vicinity of petrochemical shipping and storage facilities.
H5N1 killed a wild swan
It was a kind of omen
Of everything to come
I can't believe it's happening
And that it's happening now
I can't believe it's happening
It's coming true somehow
On Canvey Island, 1953
Many lives were lost
With the records of a football team
I can't believe it's happening
And that it's happening now
I can't believe it's happening
It's coming true somehow
Don't you think it's strange, you know
The way it all works out
Brace yourself for storms and Summer droughts
Sometimes it's hard to tell
If it's going well
You know the odds against it
Were so phenomenal
I can't believe it's happening
And that it's happening now
I can't believe it's happening
It's coming true somehow
Don't you think it's strange, you know
The way it all works out
Brace yourself for storms and Summer droughts
Don't you think it's strange, you know
The way it all works out
You start with everything then live without
Oh, oh!
Ohhh...(etc.)
Oh it's happening now
Oh it's happening now