Samson, Isles of Scilly
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Coordinates: 49°56′00″N 6°21′10″W / 49.9332°N 6.3529°W
| Samson | |
 A view of Samson from Tresco |
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 Samson
 Samson shown within Isles of Scilly |
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| OS grid reference | SV877127 |
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| List of places: UK • England • Isles of Scilly | |
Samson (Cornish: Enys Samson) is the largest uninhabited island of the Isles of Scilly. It is 38 hectares (0.15 sq mi) in size.[1] The island consists of two hills, North Hill and South Hill, which are connected by an isthmus on which the former inhabitants built many of their sturdy stone cottages.[2] Samson was named after Samson of Dol.[3]
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[edit] History
The twin hills of Samson were formerly associated with breasts, in a similar way as the Paps of Jura in Scotland and the Paps of Anu in Ireland. There are large ancient burial grounds both on the North Hill and South Hill.[4][5]
The island was inhabited until 1855, when the Lord Proprietor Augustus Smith removed the remaining population from the island.[6] By this point, the population was found to be suffering from severe deprivation—particularly due to a diet of limpets and potatoes—and consisted of only 2 families: the Woodcocks and the Webbers. Smith then built a deer park on the island, but all the deer escaped. In recent times, the area has become a protected wildlife site. The island houses many different birds such as terns and gannets, and many wild flowers.
[edit] Population
- 1669: One family[7]
- 1715: Only 3 men fit to carry arms
- 1751: 2 households
- 1794: 6 households
- 1816: 40 people
- 1822: 7 households (34 persons)
- 1851: 3 households[8]
- 1855: Augustus Smith removed the remaining inhabitants which consisted of two families
[edit] Visiting the island
Boat trips to Samson are regularly available. There is no quay, so visitors disembark via wooden plank. The remains of the old cottages can be explored, and there are also the remains of Smith's deer park and prehistoric entrance graves.[9] There are no amenities or services available, but guided walks are led by local experts.[10]
[edit] Literary associations
The island is featured in the children's story Why the Whales Came by Michael Morpurgo. In the book, Samson is under a curse that needs to be lifted.[11] The island also featured in Armorel of Lyonesse by Walter Besant.[12] Many have cited Webber's Cottage on Samson as Armorel's house.[13]
The Island also features in the Ann Bridge novel The Dangerous Islands
[edit] See also
- List of places with fewer than ten residents
- List of shipwrecks of the Isles of Scilly
- Breast shaped hill
[edit] References
- ^ Samson on TrailBehind.com
- ^ Tourist information on iknow-cornwall.co.uk
- ^ Saints of Cornwall
- ^ Samson, South Hill Chambered Cairn - The Megalithic Portal
- ^ Samson, North Hill - The Megalithic Portal
- ^ Tourist information on iknow-cornwall.co.uk
- ^ Samson on TrailBehind.com
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ Book review
- ^ Book review
- ^ Tourist information on iknow-cornwall.co.uk
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Samson, Isles of Scilly |
- Map sources for Samson, Isles of Scilly
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