Wee passed by Chichester observing only that there are many small Currents of Fresh Water, and breaking into the low Lands by the Flux of the Sea between it and Portsmouth in and about the Islands of Selsea and Hailing, But all Passages into the same from the Seaward being Covered by the East Burroughs the dangerous Rocks called the Oares, and the Sands of the Horse; There is no Room among them for any improvement for the Navy nor did there appear to be any Place fitting to Build a Shipp of the 4th.

[1] Thomas Pennant described the location of Selsey Bill, or "Selsey-bill" as he writes it in his book, "A Journey between London and the Isle of Wight" published in 1801.

[7] There have been many wrecks off Selsey Bill over the years; probably one of the first recorded was Saint Wilfrid who when appointed Archbishop of York went to Compiègne in France, to be consecrated.

[7][8] The annals record a sea and beach battle, involving a fleet of Viking ships against those of Alfred the Great's newly founded navy.

[9] And as the army which had beset Exeter again turned homeward, they spoiled they the South-Saxons near Chichester, and the townsmen put them to flight, and slew many hundreds of them, and took some of their ships.Henry VI granted that lands of Chichester Cathedral should be exempt from the Court of the Admiralty in the manner of wrecks, which meant in effect that any wrecks off Selsey Bill would be the bishop's property.

[7] In the 18th century, members of a notorious smuggling gang were captured and tried for the brutal murder of a supposed informant and a customs official, Chater and Galley.

[5][7]The Mixon rock was formerly quarried, initially during the Roman occupation and then was to become an important building stone in the late Saxon period.

[12][13] In 1944, during World War II, components for the Mulberry harbours were built at many different locations in Britain and transferred to assembly points on the south coast, before being towed to France.

[16] However, in clear weather, when the wind is moderate, a shortcut can be afforded by using the Looe Channel that passes through the rocks and ledges south of the Bill, which is marked by buoys.