Bentinck Island

For the Burmese island, see Bentinck Kyun. For the Australian island, see South Wellesley Islands.

Bentinck Island (located near Race Rocks) is a Canadian island in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It served as a leper colony beginning in 1924, when the federal government shut down D'Arcy Island (also a leprosy colony), as Bentinck Island was closer to medical quarantine facilities,[1] until 1957, when the last person affected by leprosy died.

The Holland America cargo liner Eemdijk ran aground on Race Rocks on 15 October 1925.[2][3] She was refloated on 19 October[4] and beached on Bentinck Island. The tug Hope and her crew of seven were lost trying to salvage the liner.[2]

References

  1. "D'Arcy Island Marine Park, Gulf Islands NP, Haro Strait, BC". vancouverisland.com.
  2. 1 2 "Race Rocks". Canadian Lightkeepers Association. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  3. "Dutch liner seriously ashore" The Times (London). Friday, 16 October 1925. (44094), col F, p. 25.
  4. "Fires in Indian cargoes" The Times (London). Wednesday, 21 October 1925. (44098), col C, p. 27.

Coordinates: 48°18′50″N 123°32′38″W / 48.314°N 123.544°W / 48.314; -123.544


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