Smith Island (Washington)
Encyclopedia
Smith Island is an island located in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca
, Washington, about mid-way between Admiralty Inlet
and Lopez Island
. It is connected to the smaller Minor Island, to its east, by a low spit that is covered at high tide. The low, grassy islands have a few trees and are an important habitat for seabirds, and the beaches are a resting site for sea lion
s. The islands are part of the San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge
, and are usually closed to the public.
The Smith Island Light
was constructed on the island in 1858. Originally, this stood about 200 feet away from the island's western edge. The bluff
began to erode
, and when the bluff reached the front door in the 1950s, the lighthouse was abandoned. During the 1980s until the spring of 1998, the last part of the broken lighthouse clung precariously to the bluff.
The lighthouse was replaced with an automated navigational light
97 feet (30 meters) high. Minor Island also has a light. The island is also the site of a weather station operated by the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
.
Smith Island was discovered by José María Narváez
in 1791, which he called Isla de Bonilla. It received its present name from Hudson's Bay Company
traders in the first half of the 19th century.
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...
, Washington, about mid-way between Admiralty Inlet
Admiralty Inlet
Admiralty Inlet is a strait in the U.S. state of Washington connecting the eastern end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Puget Sound. It lies between Whidbey Island and the northeastern part of the Olympic Peninsula....
and Lopez Island
Lopez Island
Lopez Island is the third largest of the U.S. San Juan Islands. Lopez Island is in land area. The 2000 census population was 2,177.-History:...
. It is connected to the smaller Minor Island, to its east, by a low spit that is covered at high tide. The low, grassy islands have a few trees and are an important habitat for seabirds, and the beaches are a resting site for sea lion
Sea Lion
Sea lions are pinnipeds characterized by external ear-flaps, long fore-flippers, the ability to walk on all fours, and short thick hair. Together with the fur seal, they comprise the family Otariidae, or eared seals. There are six extant and one extinct species in five genera...
s. The islands are part of the San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge
San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge
The San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge is located in the San Juan Islands of northern Puget Sound in the State of Washington. Originally created in 1976, it consists of 83 uninhabited small islands, with a combined area of approximately , scattered throughout the San Juans. The Refuge is...
, and are usually closed to the public.
The Smith Island Light
Smith Island Light
The Smith Island Light was a lighthouse on Smith Island, Island County, Washington. Before erosion toppled it into the sea, maritime author Jim Gibbs obtained permission from the Coast Guard to retrieve the lantern room. The lantern room is now part of the Skunk Bay Memorial lighthouse.- Erosion...
was constructed on the island in 1858. Originally, this stood about 200 feet away from the island's western edge. The bluff
Hill
A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills often have a distinct summit, although in areas with scarp/dip topography a hill may refer to a particular section of flat terrain without a massive summit A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills...
began to erode
Erode
Erode is a city, a municipal corporation and the headquarters of Erode district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.It is situated at the center of the South Indian Peninsula, about southwest from the state capital Chennai and on the banks of the rivers Cauvery and Bhavani, between 11° 19.5"...
, and when the bluff reached the front door in the 1950s, the lighthouse was abandoned. During the 1980s until the spring of 1998, the last part of the broken lighthouse clung precariously to the bluff.
The lighthouse was replaced with an automated navigational light
Navigational aid
A navigational aid is any sort of marker which aids the traveler in navigation; the term is most commonly used to refer to nautical or aviation travel...
97 feet (30 meters) high. Minor Island also has a light. The island is also the site of a weather station operated by the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , pronounced , like "noah", is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere...
.
Smith Island was discovered by José María Narváez
José María Narváez
José María Narváez was a Spanish naval officer, explorer, and navigator notable for his work in the Pacific Northwest of present-day Canada. In 1791, as commander of the schooner Santa Saturnina, he led the first European exploration of the Strait of Georgia, including a landing on present-day...
in 1791, which he called Isla de Bonilla. It received its present name from Hudson's Bay Company
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
traders in the first half of the 19th century.
External links
- http://www.lhdepot.com/Digest/Photopage.cfm?Photo=564
- Smith Island, WA weather station - National Data Buoy Center, NOAA.