Prevost Island is an
island
An island (or isle) is an isolated piece of habitat that is surrounded by a dramatically different habitat, such as water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, skerries, cays or keys. An island ...
in the southern
Gulf Islands
The Gulf Islands are a group of islands in the Salish Sea between Vancouver Island and the mainland coast of British Columbia.
Etymology
The name "Gulf Islands" comes from "Gulf of Georgia," the original term used by George Vancouver in his ...
of the
South Coast of British Columbia,
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
, 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
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
"Remember Limerick"
, image_map = Island_of_Ireland_location_map_Limerick.svg
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Republic of Ireland, Ireland
, subdivision_type1 = Provinces of Ireland, Province
, subd ...
, 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 Reserve
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is a national park located on and around the Gulf Islands in British Columbia, Canada. In the National Parks System Plan, this park provides representation of the Strait of Georgia Lowlands natural region, the ...
(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 websit
provides updated camping fee informatio
Boaters will find good anchorage at Selby 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 Reserve
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is a national park located on and around the Gulf Islands in British Columbia, Canada. In the National Parks System Plan, this park provides representation of the Strait of Georgia Lowlands natural region, the ...
.
References
External links
*
"Prevost Island" at www.liread.comGulf Islands National Park Reserve
{{Authority control
Islands of the Gulf Islands