Prevost Island
Encyclopedia
Prevost Island is an island
in the southern Gulf Islands
of the South Coast of British Columbia
, Canada
, located east of Ganges Harbour and midway between the southeastern extremity of Salt Spring Island (W) and the southern end of Galiano Island
(E). The island was named for James Charles Prevost
, who was British Commissioner for the San Juan Island boundary dispute
of 1859-1870 and captain of the HMS Satellite
. Prevost Harbor on nearby Stuart Island, Washington
is also named after Prevost and Satellite Island, within Prevost Harbor, is named after his ship. The Satellite played a critical role in the Lamalcha War in the same area in 1863.
Most of the island was bought as a farm in the 1920s by Digby de Burgh, an Irishman from County Limerick
, who used it to raise sheep, goats and cattle. His descendants still own much of the island, which is still primarily a sheep and cattle farm.. A few smaller private homes were built on the northwest side of the island.
(GINPR). There are 10 marine-accessible backcountry campsites available at James Bay. Facilities are limited to pit toilets; no campfires are permitted. The Current Map and Hiking and Camping Information brochure on the GINPR website http://www.parkscanada.gc.ca/gulf provides updated camping fee information http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/gulf/visit/brochures.aspx. Boaters will find good anchorage at Shelby Cove, and paddlers can land at James Bay beach.
.
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
in the southern Gulf Islands
Gulf Islands
The Gulf Islands are the islands in the Strait of Georgia , between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia, Canada....
of the South Coast of British Columbia
British Columbia Coast
The British Columbia Coast or BC Coast is Canada's western continental coastline on the Pacific Ocean. The usage is synonymous with the term West Coast of Canada....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, located east of Ganges Harbour and midway between the southeastern extremity of Salt Spring Island (W) and the southern end of Galiano Island
Galiano Island
Galiano Island is one of the Southern Gulf Islands between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Located on the west side of the Strait of Georgia, it is 27.5 km long, 6 km at its widest point, and 1.6 km across at its narrowest point and is separated...
(E). The island was named for James Charles Prevost
James Charles Prevost
James Charles Prevost was an admiral in the British Royal Navy.He was born in Bedhampton, Hampshire, England and joined the navy in 1823 and by 1850 was a Commander aboard the HMS Portland, flagship of Rear Admiral Sir Fairfax Moresby, whose daughter he married on 18 October 1842, they had five...
, who was British Commissioner for the San Juan Island boundary dispute
Pig War
The Pig War was a confrontation in 1859 between the United States and the British Empire over the boundary between the US and British North America. The territory in dispute was the San Juan Islands, which lie between Vancouver Island and the North American mainland...
of 1859-1870 and captain of the HMS Satellite
HMS Satellite
Eight ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Satellite: was a 16-gun brig-sloop launched in 1806. She foundered in 1810. was an 18-gun Cruizer class brig-sloop launched in 1812 and sold in 1824. was an 18-gun sloop launched in 1826 and broken up in 1849. was a paddle gunboat launched in...
. Prevost Harbor on nearby Stuart Island, Washington
Stuart Island (Washington)
Stuart Island is one of the San Juan Islands in Washington state, USA, north of San Juan Island and west of Waldron Island. The island is home to two communities of full and part-time residents, a state park, a one-room schoolhouse, and two airstrips .The 2000 census...
is also named after Prevost and Satellite Island, within Prevost Harbor, is named after his ship. The Satellite played a critical role in the Lamalcha War in the same area in 1863.
Most of the island was bought as a farm in the 1920s by Digby de Burgh, an Irishman from County Limerick
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
, who used it to raise sheep, goats and cattle. His descendants still own much of the island, which is still primarily a sheep and cattle farm.. A few smaller private homes were built on the northwest side of the island.
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
James Bay(also named for Captain Prevost) is a part of Gulf Islands National Park ReserveGulf Islands National Park Reserve
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is the 40th National Park in a system of 43 parks and park reserves across Canada. Located in British Columbia's Gulf Islands, it covers 33 square kilometers over 16 islands. It also includes numerous islets and reef areas....
(GINPR). There are 10 marine-accessible backcountry campsites available at James Bay. Facilities are limited to pit toilets; no campfires are permitted. The Current Map and Hiking and Camping Information brochure on the GINPR website http://www.parkscanada.gc.ca/gulf provides updated camping fee information http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/gulf/visit/brochures.aspx. Boaters will find good anchorage at Shelby Cove, and paddlers can land at James Bay beach.
The Portlock Point Lighthouse
The Portlock Point Lighthouse, on the eastern extremity of the island, was built in 1895. It replaced a stake lighthouse built five years earlier. The light was automated the late 1960s and rebuilt in 1987.. Portlock Point is now a part of Gulf Islands National Park ReserveGulf Islands National Park Reserve
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is the 40th National Park in a system of 43 parks and park reserves across Canada. Located in British Columbia's Gulf Islands, it covers 33 square kilometers over 16 islands. It also includes numerous islets and reef areas....
.