Canvey Island, River island in Essex, England
Canvey Island is a populated river island in the Thames estuary in Essex, linked to the mainland by two bridges near South Benfleet. The entire island sits behind tall sea walls that protect its low-lying ground from flooding.
The North Sea flood of 1953 killed 58 people on the island and forced more than 13,000 residents to evacuate. After the disaster, the sea walls were raised and strengthened to resist future storm surges.
The Dutch Cottage Museum from the 1600s still stands as evidence of the engineering work that protected the low-lying land from the sea. Families visit on weekends to learn about the water management techniques brought from the Netherlands during that period.
Buses run regularly between the island and neighboring towns on the mainland, where train stations offer direct links to London. The sea walls and waterfront paths are open to walkers and cyclists, providing views across the estuary.
From 1959 onward, the island operated the first liquefied natural gas terminal in the world designed specifically for import by tanker ship. The facility remained active for several decades and shaped the waterfront on the eastern side of the island.
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