.gif)
Saunders Island (Falkland Islands)
Encyclopedia
Saunders Island is the fourth largest of the Falkland Islands
, lying north west of West Falkland
. The island is run as a sheep farm.
The island has an area of 131.6 square kilometres (50.8 sq mi) square miles (131.6 km2) and a has a coastline 106.8 kilometres (66.4 mi) miles long (106.8 km). It is about 13 miles (21 km) from east to west and almost that distance from north-east to south-west. The island consists of three peninsulas linked by narrow necks, and it has three large upland areas. The highest point, Mount Richards, is 457 metres (1,499.3 ft) high.
on the island was the site of the first British settlement, established in 1765.
Unaware of the French presence at Port Louis
, in January 1765, British captain John Byron explored and claimed Saunders Island, at the western end of the Falkland Islands, where he named the harbour of Port Egmont, and sailed near other islands, which he also claimed for King George the third
. A British settlement was built at Port Egmont in 1766. Also in 1766, Spain acquired the French colony, and after assuming effective control in 1767, placed the islands under a governor subordinate to Buenos Aires
.
During the Falkland Crisis of 1770, five Spanish frigates entered the small British force had to surrender. This edged Britain and Spain closer to war. In 1771, Spain agreed to abandon Port Egmont to the British. In 1776, for economic reasons, the British abandoned Port Egmont. At that time, they placed a plaque at the site proclaiming their sovereignty over the Falklands. The island's present settlement, appropriately called Saunders Island Settlement, lies on the east coast and has an airstrip.
There is one listed building here, known as the Stone House.
Wildlife on the island includes Rockhopper
, Gentoo
, Magellanic
and king penguin
, black-browed albatross
and many other birds. As far as the Magellanic penguin, Saunders Island is near the southernmost limit of this bird's range, whereas the Gentoo ranges much further south into Antarctica. There is also a small breeding area for Elephant Seals at Elephant Point. Royal Air Force Ornithological Society's members did a complete coastal survey in 1995
Conservation issues include the danger of fire, some erosion prone areas near the coast, overgrazing and the presence of cats, mice, rats and some rabbits. Clearance of these introduced species is unlikely in the near future because of the size of the island and the varied geography. Spear thistles, which were accidentally introduced to the island are becoming more prevalent. Volunteers helped to destroy some of them in the (southern) autumn of 2003 and there are hopes that the plant can be eradicated from Saunders Island in a few years
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located about from the coast of mainland South America. The archipelago consists of East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 lesser islands. The capital, Stanley, is on East Falkland...
, lying north west of West Falkland
West Falkland
West Falkland is the second largest of the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic. It is a hilly island, separated from East Falkland by Falkland Sound. Its area is and its coastline is long. Including the adjacent small islands the land area is .-Population:The island has fewer than 200...
. The island is run as a sheep farm.
The island has an area of 131.6 square kilometres (50.8 sq mi) square miles (131.6 km2) and a has a coastline 106.8 kilometres (66.4 mi) miles long (106.8 km). It is about 13 miles (21 km) from east to west and almost that distance from north-east to south-west. The island consists of three peninsulas linked by narrow necks, and it has three large upland areas. The highest point, Mount Richards, is 457 metres (1,499.3 ft) high.
History
Port EgmontPort Egmont
Port Egmont was the first British settlement in the Falkland Islands, on Saunders Island.-History:Port Egmont was established in on 25 January 1765, by an expedition led by Commodore John Byron consisting of the boats , and...
on the island was the site of the first British settlement, established in 1765.
Unaware of the French presence at Port Louis
Port Louis, Falkland Islands
Port Louis is a settlement on northeastern East Falkland. It was established by Louis de Bougainville in 1764 as the first French settlement on the islands, but was then transferred to Spain in 1767 and renamed Puerto Soledad .-History:The settlement has seen several name changes...
, in January 1765, British captain John Byron explored and claimed Saunders Island, at the western end of the Falkland Islands, where he named the harbour of Port Egmont, and sailed near other islands, which he also claimed for King George the third
George III of the United Kingdom
George III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death...
. A British settlement was built at Port Egmont in 1766. Also in 1766, Spain acquired the French colony, and after assuming effective control in 1767, placed the islands under a governor subordinate to Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
.
During the Falkland Crisis of 1770, five Spanish frigates entered the small British force had to surrender. This edged Britain and Spain closer to war. In 1771, Spain agreed to abandon Port Egmont to the British. In 1776, for economic reasons, the British abandoned Port Egmont. At that time, they placed a plaque at the site proclaiming their sovereignty over the Falklands. The island's present settlement, appropriately called Saunders Island Settlement, lies on the east coast and has an airstrip.
There is one listed building here, known as the Stone House.
Wildlife and Conservation
Rockhopper penguin
The rockhopper penguins are three closely related taxa of crested penguins that have been traditionally treated as a single species and are sometimes split into two or three species. Not all experts agree on the classification of these penguins...
, Gentoo
Gentoo penguin
The Gentoo Penguin , Pygoscelis papua, is easily recognized by the wide white stripe extending like a bonnet across the top of its head and its bright orange-red bill. The gentoo penguin has pale whitish-pink webbed feet and a fairly long tail - the most prominent tail of all penguins. Chicks have...
, Magellanic
Magellanic Penguin
The Magellanic Penguin, Spheniscus magellanicus, is a South American penguin, breeding in coastal Argentina, Chile and the Falkland Islands, with some migrating to Brazil where they are occasionally seen as far north as Rio de Janeiro. It is the most numerous of the Spheniscus penguins. Its nearest...
and king penguin
King Penguin
The King Penguin is the second largest species of penguin at about , second only to the Emperor Penguin. There are two subspecies—A. p. patagonicus and A. p...
, black-browed albatross
Black-browed Albatross
The Black-browed Albatross or Black-browed Mollymawk, Thalassarche melanophrys, is a large seabird of the albatross family Diomedeidae, and it is the most widespread and common albatross.-Taxonomy:...
and many other birds. As far as the Magellanic penguin, Saunders Island is near the southernmost limit of this bird's range, whereas the Gentoo ranges much further south into Antarctica. There is also a small breeding area for Elephant Seals at Elephant Point. Royal Air Force Ornithological Society's members did a complete coastal survey in 1995
Conservation issues include the danger of fire, some erosion prone areas near the coast, overgrazing and the presence of cats, mice, rats and some rabbits. Clearance of these introduced species is unlikely in the near future because of the size of the island and the varied geography. Spear thistles, which were accidentally introduced to the island are becoming more prevalent. Volunteers helped to destroy some of them in the (southern) autumn of 2003 and there are hopes that the plant can be eradicated from Saunders Island in a few years