Trial Islands, British Columbia
Encyclopedia
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. 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
. In September 2009 it was announced that the Trial Island Light would be automated to cut staffing costs.
The island is also home to four large radio antennas operated under licence by CFAX 1070 AM radio.
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several North American locations named after George Vancouver, the British Royal Navy officer who explored the Pacific Northwest coast of North America between 1791 and 1794...
off Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
, part of the municipality of Oak Bay
Oak Bay, British Columbia
Oak Bay is a municipality located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, in the Canadian Province of British Columbia, Canada. A member municipality of the Capital Regional District, it is a community east of and adjacent to the City of Victoria...
. The islands form the Trial Islands Ecological Reserve
Trial Islands Ecological Reserve
The Trial Islands Ecological Reserve is a nature reserve on the Trial Islands in the British Columbia province of Canada just off the southern tip of Oak Bay in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The twenty-three-hectare ecological reserve was established in 1990 to protect two elongated rocky islands...
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
Seamanship
Seamanship is the art of operating a ship or boat.It involves a knowledge of a variety of topics and development of specialised skills including: navigation and international maritime law; weather, meteorology and forecasting; watchstanding; ship-handling and small boat handling; operation of deck...
. The trick was to round them in a small sailing ship and enter the Strait of Juan de Fuca
Strait of Juan de Fuca
The Strait of Juan de Fuca is a large body of water about long that is the Salish Sea outlet to the Pacific Ocean...
, despite the frequent rip tides
Rip current
A rip current, commonly referred to by the misnomer rip tide, is a strong channel of water flowing seaward from near the shore, typically through the surf line. Typical flow is at 0.5 metres per second , and can be as fast as 2.5 metres per second...
and the prevailing westerlies
Westerlies
The Westerlies, anti-trades, or Prevailing Westerlies, are the prevailing winds in the middle latitudes between 30 and 60 degrees latitude, blowing from the high pressure area in the horse latitudes towards the poles. These prevailing winds blow from the west to the east, and steer extratropical...
.
The major Trial Island is home to the Trial Islands Lighthouse which is operated by the Canadian Coast Guard
Canadian Coast Guard
The Canadian Coast Guard is the coast guard of Canada. It is a federal agency responsible for providing maritime search and rescue , aids to navigation, marine pollution response, marine radio, and icebreaking...
, automated since September 2009. The lighthouse was constructed in 1906. The fourth order Fresnel lens
Fresnel lens
A Fresnel lens is a type of lens originally developed by French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel for lighthouses.The design allows the construction of lenses of large aperture and short focal length without the mass and volume of material that would be required by a lens of conventional design...
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
Maritime Museum of British Columbia
The Maritime Museum of BC reflects the Pacific maritime history and culture of Canada's west coast, with an exhibits and public program mandate for research, education, and partnership.-History:...
in Bastion Square in Downtown Victoria
Downtown Victoria
Downtown Victoria is a neighbourhood of Victoria, British Columbia that acts as the commercial and entertainment hub of the city and surrounding region....
. In September 2009 it was announced that the Trial Island Light would be automated to cut staffing costs.
The island is also home to four large radio antennas operated under licence by CFAX 1070 AM radio.