Smith Island (British Columbia) facts for kids
West side of Smith Island as seen from the northern approach to Marcus Passage
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 Smith Island (British Columbia)
Location in British Columbia
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| Coordinates | 54°09′03″N 130°13′26″W / 54.15083°N 130.22389°W |
Smith Island is an island located in British Columbia, Canada. It sits just north of the mouth of the Skeena River in the North Coast region.
The island is surrounded by several interesting waterways. To its south, you'll find Marcus Passage. To the north, Inverness Passage separates Smith Island from the Tsimpsean Peninsula. Eleanor Passage connects Osborn Point, which is the easternmost part of the island, with the mouth of the Skeena River. On the east side of Smith Island, De Horsey Passage separates it from De Horsey Island. Also, Croasdaile Island is located south of the southern tip of Smith Island.
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Island Features
Smith Island has some cool natural features.
Mount McGrath
On the east side of the island, facing Chatham Sound, you'll see a noticeable peak called Mount McGrath. It's a key landmark in the area.
Tsum Tsadai Inlet
Tsum Tsadai Inlet is a narrow body of water on the north side of the island. It opens to the west. This inlet is a good spot for small boats to anchor because it's well protected. However, boats need to be careful when approaching it, especially when the tide is not moving (called slack tide). There are many reefs that appear when the tide is low, and the water currents at the entrance can be very strong, moving up to 5 knots (about 9 km/h).
Places on the Island
Smith Island has a few notable spots, including a modern reserve and historical sites.
Dashken Indian Reserve No. 22
On the east side of Smith Island, facing De Horsey Island, is Dashken Indian Reserve No. 22. This is an important area for the local Indigenous community.
Historical Settlements
South of the Dashken Indian Reserve, also facing De Horsey Island, are the remains of a place called Osland. This used to be a post office and had a wharf.
The southern tip of the island is known as Hazel Point. Just east of this point, there's a bay that was once home to a cannery and a settlement called Oceanic. A cannery is a factory where food, like fish, is preserved in cans.
