The Trial Islands as seen from Beach Drive in Oak Bay. |
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Trial Islands (British Columbia) (British Columbia)
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Oak Bay & Victoria |
| Archipelago | Trial Islands |
| Total islands | 2+ |
| Country | |
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Canada
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| Province | British Columbia |
| Lightstation as seen from Clover Point in Victoria, 1 May 2009 | |
| Location | Oak Bay, British Columbia |
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| Coordinates | |
| Year first lit | October 1906[1] |
| Automated | Continues to be staffed by lightkeepers pending Senate Committee review |
| Tower shape | White cylindrical tower |
| Focal height | 28.3 metres (93 ft)[2] |
| Original lens | 4th order Fresnel lens (1906–1970) flash (1970–present) |
| Range | 13 kilometres (7.0 nmi)[2] |
| Characteristic | Green Fl. 5 s[2] |
| Admiralty number | G5328[2] |
| CHS number | 212[2] |
| ARLHS number | CAN-506[3] |
The Trial Islands are a group of islands located off the south-eastern tip of Vancouver Island off Victoria, part of the municipality of Oak Bay. The islands form the Trial Islands Ecological Reserve and entry outside designated zones is prohibited.
It is likely that these islands were so named after the practise of sailing refitted British naval ships from the Esquimalt Royal Navy Dockyard to these islands and back as a trial run before heading into open seas. It has also been suggested that they were named because they constituted a trial of one's skill in navigation and seamanship. The trick was to round them in a small sailing ship and enter the Strait of Juan de Fuca, despite the frequent rip tides and the prevailing westerlies.
The major Trial Island is home to the Trial Islands Lighthouse which is operated by the Canadian Coast Guard, automated since September 2009.[4] The lighthouse was constructed in 1906. The fourth order Fresnel lens from 1906 was used until it was replaced in 1970. That original lens is now on display in front of the Maritime Museum of British Columbia in Bastion Square in Downtown Victoria.[5] In September 2009 it was announced that the Trial Island Light would be automated to cut staffing costs.[5][6]
The island is also home to four large radio antennas operated under licence by CFAX 1070 AM radio.
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