Crevichon facts for kids
Crevichon is a small island, also called an islet, located near Herm in the Channel Islands. It sits just north of another small island called Jethou.
The name "Crevichon" is thought to mean "island of crabs, crayfish, or cranes." This name comes from an old language called Norman language, which was spoken in the Channel Islands a long time ago. About a thousand years ago, the sea level was lower, which meant there were more places for these animals to live around the island.
How Big is Crevichon?
Crevichon is not very large. At its widest points, it measures about 212 metres (696 feet) long and 168 metres (551 feet) wide. Its total area is less than 3 hectares (about 7.4 acres). The distance between Crevichon and Jethou is only about 215 metres (705 feet).
Crevichon's Past
Crevichon has an interesting history. A drawing from the 1500s, which you can see at the British Museum, shows Crevichon as an island covered in trees.
In 1566, people started taking stones from Crevichon to help build Castle Cornet. This castle is a famous landmark in the Channel Islands. The quarrying of stone has continued over the years, making Crevichon smaller and harder to see from a distance. Because of this, a 15-foot (4.6-metre) marker was built on top of the island to make it more visible to ships. It's even believed that some of the granite used for the steps of St Paul's Cathedral in London might have come from Crevichon!
In earlier times, stories say that pirates were sometimes held on Crevichon.
Compton Mackenzie, who used to own the island of Herm, wrote a book called Fairy Gold. In this book, which is a fictional story about the islands, he called Crevichon by the name "Merg."
Shipwrecks Near Crevichon
The waters around Crevichon have seen some shipwrecks over the years.
In 1953, a writer named Victor Coysh reported seeing parts of a German bomber plane near the island. This plane was likely from the time of the German occupation of the Channel Islands during World War II.
Other ships that have been wrecked or stranded near Crevichon include:
- The Courier, a steamer ship from Guernsey. It ran aground in 1905, but thankfully, all 80 passengers were safe.
