Pearse Island
Encyclopedia
Pearse Island is an island
in western British Columbia
, Canada
, in the Portland Inlet
, an inlet of the Pacific Ocean
. The island was first charted in 1793 by George Vancouver
during his 1791-95 expedition
. It was named by George Henry Richards
, captain of HMS Plumper, circa 1860, in honor of William Alfred Rumbulow Pearse of the Royal Navy
, who had been commander of HMS Alert
.
by the 2 km (1.2 mi) wide Pearse Canal
, which forms part of the Canada-United States border
in this area. The island is 56 km (34.8 mi) north of Prince Rupert, British Columbia
. It and neighbouring islands figured in one of the territorial and marine-boundary quarrels of the Alaska boundary dispute
(the island was formerly claimed by the United States
).
. The park and the island are destinations for wildlife viewing and diving.
, at 54°47′00"N 130°36′00"W, and is the site of a light operated by the Canadian Hydrographic Service
.
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 western British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, 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...
, in the Portland Inlet
Portland Inlet
Portland Inlet is an inlet of the Pacific Ocean on the coast of British Columbia, Canada, approximately 55 kilometers north of Prince Rupert, British Columbia. It joins the Chatham Sound opposite the Dixon Entrance. It is 40 kilometers long and as much as 13 kilometers wide...
, an inlet of the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
. The island was first charted in 1793 by George Vancouver
George Vancouver
Captain George Vancouver RN was an English officer of the British Royal Navy, best known for his 1791-95 expedition, which explored and charted North America's northwestern Pacific Coast regions, including the coasts of contemporary Alaska, British Columbia, Washington and Oregon...
during his 1791-95 expedition
Vancouver Expedition
The Vancouver Expedition was a four-and-a-half-year voyage of exploration and diplomacy, commanded by Captain George Vancouver. The expedition circumnavigated the globe, touched five continents and changed the course of history for the indigenous nations and several European empires and their...
. It was named by George Henry Richards
George Henry Richards
Admiral Sir George Henry Richards was Hydrographer to the British Admiralty from 1864 to 1874.-Early life:Richards was born in Anthony, Cornwall, the son of Captain G S Richards, and joined the navy in 1832....
, captain of HMS Plumper, circa 1860, in honor of William Alfred Rumbulow Pearse of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, who had been commander of HMS Alert
HMS Alert (1856)
HMS Alert was a 17-gun wooden screw sloop of the Cruizer class of the Royal Navy, launched in 1856 and broken up in 1894. She was the eleventh ship of the Royal Navy to bear the name , and was noted for her Arctic exploration work; in 1876 she reached a record latitude of 82°N.-Construction:The...
.
Location and territorial claims
The island is 210 km² (81.1 sq mi) in size. It is separated from the mainland of AlaskaAlaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
by the 2 km (1.2 mi) wide Pearse Canal
Pearse Canal
Pearse Canal is a channel or strait forming part of the Canada-United States border at the southern end of the Alaska Panhandle and adjacent to the mouth of Portland Inlet. It is on the northwest side of Wales and Pearse Islands, which are in British Columbia, Canada, and forms part of the...
, which forms part of the Canada-United States border
Canada-United States border
The Canada–United States border, officially known as the International Boundary, is the longest border in the world. The terrestrial boundary is 8,891 kilometers long, including 2,475 kilometres shared with Alaska...
in this area. The island is 56 km (34.8 mi) north of Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Prince Rupert is a port city in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is the land, air, and water transportation hub of British Columbia's North Coast, and home to some 12,815 people .-History:...
. It and neighbouring islands figured in one of the territorial and marine-boundary quarrels of the Alaska boundary dispute
Alaska Boundary Dispute
The Alaska boundary dispute was a territorial dispute between the United States and Canada . It was resolved by arbitration in 1903. The dispute had been going on between the Russian and British Empires since 1821, and was inherited by the United States as a consequence of the Alaska Purchase in...
(the island was formerly claimed by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
).
Features
The former Pearse Island Indian Reserve No. 43 is on the northeast end of the island. It is now named Wil Milit as a result of the Nisga'a Treaty and is no longer an Indian Reserve, but is fee-simple. Part of the island is in the Cormorant Channel Marine Provincial ParkCormorant Channel Marine Provincial Park
Cormorant Channel Marine Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada, located near the town of Alert Bay at the western end of Johnstone Strait....
. The park and the island are destinations for wildlife viewing and diving.
Pearse Canal Island
Pearse Canal Island is located at the southern end of the Pearse CanalPearse Canal
Pearse Canal is a channel or strait forming part of the Canada-United States border at the southern end of the Alaska Panhandle and adjacent to the mouth of Portland Inlet. It is on the northwest side of Wales and Pearse Islands, which are in British Columbia, Canada, and forms part of the...
, at 54°47′00"N 130°36′00"W, and is the site of a light operated by the Canadian Hydrographic Service
Canadian Hydrographic Service
The Canadian Hydrographic Service is Canada's hydrographic office, with responsibility for performing hydrographic surveys and publishing paper and electronic nautical charts...
.