Speedwell Island
| Speedwell Island | |
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|---|---|
| Location | |
| Location: | 52°13’13"S, 59°26’4"W |
| Area: | 20 square miles |
| Data | |
Speedwell Island (formerly Eagle Island) is one of the Falkland Islands,[1] lying in the Falkland Sound, southwest of Lafonia, East Falkland.
The island has an area of 20 square miles. It is about 11 miles from north to south and is 3 miles wide at its central part. It is generally low lying and has been used as a sheep farm for more than a hundred years.[2] It is separated from Lafonia by the Eagle Passage, which takes its name from Speedwell Island's old name. Speedwell Island is the largest of the Speedwell Island group, which includes George Island, Barren Island and Annie Island.[2]
Ecology
The island is rodent-free, and thus a haven for penguins including the Magellanic Penguin, which is the southernmost distributed species of the Spheniscids. Various other nesting seabirds are found on Speedwell Island. The island is operated as a sheep farm.
History
In 1812 the British ship Isabella, captained by George Higton, was shipwrecked off "Eagle Island" (as it was then) Most of the crew were rescued by the American sealer Nanina, commanded by Captain Charles Barnard. However, realising that they would require more provisions for the expanded number of passengers, Barnard and a few others went out in a party to retrieve more food. During his absence the Nanina was taken over by the British crew – the War of 1812 was in progress between the United Kingdom and the United States - and left them on the island. Barnard and his party were finally rescued in November 1814. In 1829 Barnard wrote A Narrative of the Sufferings and Adventures of Capt. Charles Barnard detailing the happenings.
The 1837 survey of the Falkland Islands under Lowcay noted that there were wild pigs on the island.
In 1929, Alexander Dugas, a Frenchman employed on Sea Lion Island committed suicide and his companions felt it necessary to inform the authorities. But the lack of harbours meant that no boat of any size could be kept on the island and so a determined individual called Benny Davis constructed a makeshift craft from wooden barrels and launched it into the surf. The remarkable sailor set out just before dark, and arrived at Speedwell Island some twelve hours later. He explained that he had simply headed west and then taken his direction from the smell of the cormorants on Annie Island.
Outside links
References
- ↑ William Wagstaff. 2001
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 PART II: Falkland Islands Important Bird Areas - Speedwell Island Group. The source uses metric units.
- Ewen Southby-Tailyour. Falkland Island Shores
- Stonehouse, B (ed.) Encyclopedia of Antarctica and the Southern Oceans (2002, ISBN 0-471-98665-8)
- William Wagstaff. 2001. Falkland Islands: the Bradt Travel Guide