Located in the Atlantic Ocean, Sable Island is approximately 285 km east of the coast of Halifax, in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. The island, which is in the form of a sand bar with the appearance of a narrow crescent, frequently experiences fog, hurricanes and sudden storms. For this reason, the island, which is a very dangerous place, is also known as the “Atlantic Cemetery”. The island is operated by three federal government personnel throughout the year due to increased tourism and research projects during the summer months. At the same time, it is protected as a National Park Protection Area due to its rich flora, horses and bird species on the island.
The surface area of Sable Island is approximately 34 km, its length is 43.15 km, and its widest point is only 1.21 km. Its maximum height is about 30 meters. It is the nearest land point on the route from the east coast of North America to Europe. The island was formed from an extreme moraine that was deposited on the continental shelf towards the end of the last Ice Age. After the Ice Age, with the rising sea level, the island was eroded by waves and shaped by winds and storms. Therefore, the island is still slowly moving and constantly changing shape. Sable Island has inspired many fictional works, including subjects such as ghosts, rescue stations and shipwrecks. These works were inspired by the mysterious and real life stories of the island.
Accidents on Sable Island
Sable Island is famous for its large number of shipwrecks. About 350 ships fell victim to the island’s sandbanks. Dense fogs, currents, and the island’s location in the middle of a major transatlantic shipping route are responsible for a large number of wrecks. The first recorded wreck is the wreck of the English Delight, which was part of Humphrey Gilbert’s Newfoundland expedition in 1583. At least three other shipwrecks occurred in the 1700s. In 1736, Irish-born Reverend Robert Dunlap was stranded on the island while trying to get to America. Years later, two more major shipwrecks occurred. In 1760, Major Robert Elliot crashed on Sable Island and was rescued in January 1761. Lighthouses were built on both ends of the island in 1873, contributing to the reduction of accidents.
The Manhasset, a steamship, is a large shipwreck found on the island in 1947. After a storm in 1991, the commercial fishing vessel Andrea Gail sank on the island. The emergency location radio beacon was discovered on the island’s coast nine days after the crew’s last transmission. All members of the ship’s crew, who were never found again, are thought to have died. Very little of the shipwrecks surrounding the island can be seen. Because they are usually buried by sand.
In 1801, a series of life-saving stations were established on Sable Island by Nova Scotia governor John Wentworth. This rescue station initiated the continuous human presence on the island that still continues today. James Morris, a Nova Scotian veteran of the British Royal Navy, was appointed the island’s first inspector. Morris settled on the island with his family in October 1801. Morris, who died in 1809, built residential areas on the island that included a central station, two rescue boat stations, several lookout points, and shelters for survivors.
With the advent of modern ship navigation, the island has ceased to be home to the families of life-saving crew and lighthouse keepers. In the early 20th century, the Marconi Company established a wireless station on the island, and the Canadian government similarly set up a weather station. The development of navigation technologies led to a dramatic decline in shipwrecks in the mid-20th century. Because of this, the rescue station on Sable Island was downsized and closed.
Features of Sable Island
Sable Island has several freshwater pools. But these pools change from year to year due to the erosion of the dunes. In previous years there was a lake called Wallace Lake on the south coast of the island. The lake was used by amphibious aircraft during World War II. However, over the years, the lake shrank with the sand filling and by the end of 2011 it was completely filled and disappeared.
The air of Sable Island, which has an oceanic climate, is strongly influenced by the sea. Therefore, during the winter months the temperatures are close to freezing, while in the summer the daily maximum temperatures average around 20 degrees. One of the foggy places in Canada, the island receives an average of 1,372 millimeters of precipitation per year. The island is home to many species of flora and fauna. It is also home to more than 550 free-ranging horses. The population of horses is probably descended from horses left on the island by the Akkadians.
Sable Island is particularly protected due to its fragile ecology. Therefore, he must obtain special permission from Parks Canada to visit the island. The helipad located on the island contains emergency aviation fuel for search and rescue helicopters. On October 17, 2011, the Nova Scotia government entered into an agreement with the federal government to protect Sable Island. With this agreement, the island is protected by Parks Canada, which is administered under the Canadian National Parks Act.
