Moresby Island (Gulf Islands)

See also Moresby Island for the island in the Queen Charlotte Islands in British Columbia.

Moresby Island is one of the Gulf Islands of British Columbia, located on the west side of Swanson Channel and east of the southern end of Saltspring Island. It is not to be confused with Moresby Island, the second largest of the Queen Charlotte Islands off the north coast of BC. The island is used to raise beef cattle and is not open to the general public. Its current population is just one person.

Moresby Island,[1] which is 3.7 km (2.3 mi) long and 2.2 km (1.4 mi) across,[2]:9 was first settled in 1863. It was named for Rear Admiral Fairfax Moresby R.N., who was the naval commander-in-chief of the Pacific Station of the Royal Navy between 1850 and 1853, as was also Fairfax Point at the island's southern tip.[3]:342 The island has been logged three times by separate Chinese logging companies. The evidence of this logging is nearly gone, although traces of the trails built for the machines can be found. It has a very rich history, including a ghost story, the remains of a long-gone mansion, and evidence of First Nations people using the island as a resting place when traveling.

References

  1. ^ "Moresby Island". BC Geographical Names. http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/7190.html. 
  2. ^ Morris, Frank; Heath, Willis R (1979). Marine Atlas, Vol 1 Olympia to Malcolm Island. Seattle: Bayless Enterprises. 
  3. ^ Walbran, Captain John T. (1971). British Columbia Place Names, Their Origin and History (Facsimile reprint of 1909 ed.). Vancouver/Toronto: Douglas & McIntyre. ISBN 0-88894-143-9. http://www.nosracines.ca/e/toc.aspx?id=3545.