Agamemnon Channel facts for kids
Agamemnon Channel is a narrow waterway, also known as a strait, located in British Columbia, Canada. The local shashishalh First Nations people call this channel lilkw´ émin. It is found at the entrance of Jervis Inlet on the South Coast of British Columbia.
The channel separates Nelson Island on its west side from the mainland, which is part of the beautiful Sunshine Coast, on its east side. On the mainland side of the channel, you'll find Earls Cove, a place known for its ferry terminal and as a popular spot for visitors.
How Agamemnon Channel Got Its Name
Agamemnon Channel received its name in 1860. It was named by Captain George Henry Richards, who was in charge of a ship called HMS Plumper. He named the channel after a famous warship called HMS Agamemnon.
The Ship HMS Agamemnon
HMS Agamemnon was a large warship launched in 1781. It had 64 guns and was an important type of ship known as a "third-rate" ship. This ship was especially famous because it was the first major warship commanded by Horatio Nelson, a very well-known British admiral. Nearby Nelson Island was also named after him.
The first captain of HMS Agamemnon was Captain Benjamin Caldwell. Later, during the famous Battle of Trafalgar, the ship was commanded by Captain Sir Edward Berry. Sadly, in 1809, HMS Agamemnon ran aground, meaning it got stuck on the bottom, in the Río de la Plata (a wide river mouth in South America). The ship was completely lost after this accident.
