Gil Island (Canada) facts for kids
Gil Island is a beautiful island located on the North Coast of British Columbia, Canada. It sits on the west side of Whale Channel, near the entrance to Douglas Channel. This area is part of the famous Inside Passage, a water route between Pitt Island and Princess Royal Island.
Gil Island is about 26 kilometers (16 miles) long. It varies in width from 6 to 13 kilometers (4 to 8 miles). The island covers an area of 231 square kilometers (89 square miles). The only named mountain on this island is Mount Gil.
How Gil Island Got Its Name
Gil Island was named in 1792 by Lieutenant Commander Jacinto Caamaño. He was a Spanish explorer. Caamaño was sailing along the coast looking for a legendary waterway. This waterway was called the 'Rio de Reyes'. People believed it connected the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic Ocean.
The name "Gil" might come from a person named Juan Gil. He was an ensign-bearer in the Spanish Armada. During his journey, Caamaño named several places. These included channels and other islands like Campania Island and Aristazabal Island. Later, another famous explorer, George Vancouver, used these names on his own maps.
Indigenous Communities on Gil Island
Parts of Gil Island are home to Indian reserves. These are special lands set aside for Indigenous communities. The reserves on Gil Island are managed by the Hartley Bay Indian Band.
There are three main reserves on the island:
- Kunhunoan Indian Reserve No. 13: This reserve is on Small Bay, on the west side of the island. It covers about 2.30 hectares (5.7 acres).
- Maple Point Indian Reserve No. 11: Located at Maple Point, this reserve is 50.20 hectares (124.0 acres) in size.
- Turtle Point Indian Reserve No. 12: This reserve is at the northernmost tip of Gil Island. It covers 51.80 hectares (128.0 acres).
The Queen of the North Ferry Accident
On March 22, 2006, a large Canadian ferry called the M/V Queen of the North sank near Gil Island. The ferry was operated by BC Ferries. It hit Gil Island during a night voyage.
Almost everyone on board was safely rescued. The people of Hartley Bay, a nearby community, played a big role in saving the passengers.
