Seal Island (Nova Scotia) facts for kids
 Seal Island
Location in Nova Scotia
Seal sland (Nova Scotia, Canada)
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Coordinates | 43°24′56.1″N 66°0′37.4″W / 43.415583°N 66.010389°W |
| Length | 4.3 km (2.67 mi) |
| Width | 0.8 km (0.5 mi) |
| Administration | |
| Province | Nova Scotia |
Seal Island is a small island located off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. It is also known as Great Seal Island. This island is found in the very southwestern part of Nova Scotia, within Yarmouth County.
Seal Island is about 4.3 kilometers (2.7 miles) long and 0.8 kilometers (0.5 miles) wide. Hidden rocks and shallow areas called shoals surround its east, south, and west sides. The vast Atlantic Ocean surrounds the island. Seal Island is the largest of five islands that stretch north for 12 kilometers (7.5 miles). It is almost the southernmost point of land in Nova Scotia. Only the southern tip of nearby Cape Sable Island is a little bit farther south.
Contents
Exploring Seal Island's Past
Early Events and Rescues
During the American Revolution, a ship called the Scammell helped people near Seal Island. In April 1782, its captain, Noah Stoddard, rescued 60 American prisoners. They had been stranded on Seal Island. Their ship, H.M.S. Blonde, had hit a dangerous rock nearby. Captain Stoddard even let the British crew return to Halifax safely.
Settling on the Island
In 1823, two families, the Hichens and the Crowells, moved to Seal Island. They came from the Barrington area of Nova Scotia. These families used the island as a base for fishing. They also became heroes by helping survivors from many ships that crashed near the island.
A woman named Mary Hichens led a campaign to build a lighthouse. Thanks to her efforts, a lighthouse was built in 1831. This lighthouse is still standing today. It is one of the oldest wooden lighthouses in all of Canada. The lighthouse keepers on Seal Island continued to rescue many shipwreck victims. One famous rescue happened in 1843. They saved everyone from the RMS Columbia. This ship was one of Samuel Cunard's first large ocean liners.
Island Life and Communities
Over time, two small villages grew on Seal Island. They were called The East Side and The West Side. The East Side was home to families who were descendants of the first settlers. The West Side was mainly home to local fishermen. Today, a special area called a "fishermen's Reserve" helps protect access to these historic fishing grounds.
Both communities shared a post office and a church. They also had a factory that canned lobster, but it closed in the 1950s. People stopped living on the island year-round in 1990. However, both villages still have summer residents. Most of these summer visitors have family members who once lived on the island.
Bird Watching and History Books
In the early 1900s, Seal Island became famous for bird watching. Groups of bird watchers would visit the island during different seasons. Eventually, they wanted a permanent place to stay. In the 1960s, a group of bird watchers bought an old cookhouse. It was known as North Home and stood in the woods near the West Side. In recent years, descendants of the original birding families have restored this property.
The East Side village has lost its wharf, which is a dock for boats. But it still has the Seal Island Church of All Faiths.
Walter W. Hitchens, a senator from Maine, wrote a book about Seal Island in 1982. The book is called "Island Trek." It shares the history and geography of Seal Island. The author learned many stories from Mrs. Winnifred Crowell Hamilton, who lived on the island her whole life.
Seal Island Lighthouse
The Seal Island Lighthouse is a very important landmark. It is the oldest wooden lighthouse in Nova Scotia. It is also one of the oldest lighthouses in all of Canada. The lighthouse stopped having a full-time staff in 1990.
There have been some worries about the lighthouse's condition. People are concerned that it has not been maintained well by the Canadian Coast Guard. They also worry about poor air flow inside the historic building.
You can see a replica, or copy, of the Seal Island Lighthouse in Barrington, Nova Scotia.
