Ile Aux Galets facts for kids
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Skilligallee Island
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 Ile Aux Galets
Location in Michigan
Ile Aux Galets
Location in the United States
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| Geography | |
| Location | Cross Village Township, Emmet County, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 45°40′35″N 85°10′23″W / 45.6763965°N 85.1731233°W |
| Adjacent bodies of water | Lake Michigan |
| Highest elevation | 581 ft (177.1 m) |
| Administration | |
Ile Aux Galets, also known as Skillagallee or Skillagalee Island, is a small island in Lake Michigan. It is located between Beaver Island and the mainland. The island is about 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Cross Village in Emmet County, Michigan.
The island is important because of the Ile Aux Galets Light. This lighthouse warns ships about a dangerous gravel shoal (a shallow area) nearby. This shoal stretches almost 2 miles (3.2 km) to the east and half a mile (0.8 km) to the northwest. It is a big risk for boats sailing in the area.
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Discovering Skillagalee Island's Past
This small island has a rich history, especially with its unique name and the many shipwrecks nearby. It also hosts a large group of birds.
The Story Behind the Name
Early French explorers gave the island its first name: "Ile aux Galets." This means "Isle of Pebbles" in French. The island is indeed covered in many pebbles.
Over time, English speakers found the French name hard to say. They misheard and mispronounced it. This is how "Ile aux Galets" slowly changed into "Skillagalee." By the mid-1800s, almost everyone used the name "Skillagalee." The original French name was rarely heard anymore.
Home to Many Birds
Ile Aux Galets is home to a large group of ring-billed gulls. These birds often gather on the island. They use it as a safe place to rest and raise their young.
Shipwrecks and the Lighthouse
Many ships have been wrecked near Skillagalee Island. These waters can be very dangerous. One famous shipwreck happened on September 27, 1850. A large wooden sidewheeler named the A.D. Patchin was lost. This ship was 226 feet (69 meters) long. It was built in Trenton, Michigan in 1846.
The A.D. Patchin was carrying many goods. Strong currents pulled it onto Skillagalee's shore. The crew managed to escape and were rescued. However, bad winds and weather made it impossible to free the ship. The A.D. Patchin was "pounded to pieces." It became another victim of Lake Michigan's powerful waters.
The loss of the A.D. Patchin showed how dangerous the area was. Because of this, the first lighthouse was built on Ile Aux Galets. This lighthouse helps guide ships safely past the island.
