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Gambier Island

Coordinates: 49°29′35″N 123°23′35″W / 49.49306°N 123.39306°W / 49.49306; -123.39306
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This article is about the Gambier Island located in Canada. For the Islands in Polynesia, see Gambier Islands. For the Islands in South Australia, see Gambier Islands (South Australia).
Gambier Island seen from a distance

Gambier Island is an island located in Howe Sound near Vancouver, British Columbia. It is about 17,049 acres (6,899 hectares) in size and is located about 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) north of the Horseshoe Bay community and ferry terminal in westernmost West Vancouver.

A rugged and sparsely populated island, it is far quieter than its neighbour Bowen Island, which is popular with day-trippers and summer vacationers. Gambier Island is accessible only by B.C. Ferries passenger service, water taxi or other boats. There is no central road network.

The island elects two trustees to the Islands Trust, an organization that unites small island communities in British Columbia to oversee development and land use. Other islands in Howe Sound include Keats Island and Anvil Island. The island is part of West Howe Sound, Electoral Area F within the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada.

Population

There are around 125 long-term residents on Gambier, but the population swells to more than 600 in the summertime due to the island's summer holiday homes.[1] The island's scenic setting and solitude make it popular with artists and writers.

Communities

The main wharf and settlement area is called New Brighton, on the west side of the island. Gambier Harbour, West Bay, lies to the east, with another wharf and boat dock. At the north end of the island is Elkins Point.[2] Off-grid communities include Brigade Bay (coordinates [1] ), Fircom Plateau (coordinates [2]), Sea Ranch (coordinates [3]).

Facilities

Gambier Island had a general store (closed about 2010) and one bed and breakfast. Barging companies provide service from Gibsons and Horseshoe Bay for transport of large items. Fire service is run by volunteers. There are no garbage processing facilities on the island. There is a community centre.

Halkett Bay Provincial Park is located on the southeast side of Gambier.[3]

History

Squamish people called the island Cha7élkwnech, in reference to its deep protected bays. It was a celebrated deer hunting area and was extensively used for resource gathering.[4]

The island was named by Captain Richards in 1860 for James Gambier, Admiral of the Fleet who had a distinguished career in the British navy,[5] was a Governor of Newfoundland and served as a negotiator of the Treaty of Ghent ending The War of 1812 between Britain and the United States. Logger Ken Reid cut a 14-foot diameter fir there in the 1930s.

References

  1. ^ "Gambier Island". Archived from the original on 4 September 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  2. ^ "Elkins Point". BC Geographical Names.
  3. ^ "Halkett Bay Park". BC Geographical Names.
  4. ^ https://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/5270.html
  5. ^ Walbran, Captain John T. (1971), British Columbia Place Names, Their Origin and History (Facsimile reprint of 1909 ed.), Vancouver/Toronto: Douglas & McIntyre, p. 197, ISBN 0-88894-143-9, archived from the original on 2016-03-03, retrieved 2008-12-21,

49°29′35″N 123°23′35″W / 49.49306°N 123.39306°W / 49.49306; -123.39306

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