| Language of origin | English language |
| Feature Type: | Passage - Variation of Pass: Narrow stretch of water connecting two larger water bodies. |
| Status: | Official |
| Name Authority: | BC Geographical Names Office |
| Relative Location: | Between NE side of Kaien Island and mainland, at Prince Rupert, Range 5 Coast Land District |
| Latitude-Longitude: | 54°19'08"N, 130°15'45"W at the approximate centre of this feature. |
| Datum: | WGS84 |
| NTS Map: | 103J/8 |
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Origin Notes and History:
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Adopted 20 March 1907, as submitted by Mr. Robertson, BC Representative to the Geographic Board. Source: BC place name cards, correspondence and/or research by BC Chief Geographer & Geographical Names Office staff. |
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"This narrow passage, unnavigable except for small craft at high water, was named by J. Fred R. Ritchie, DLS, after the twin screw steam vessel "Fern" 17 tons register, Captain Robert W. Shears, engaged by a party of land surveyors and others in making an examination in 1904 and 1905 of Kaien Island, the neighboring islands and adjacent mainland shore, with a view to ascertaining a suitable terminus for the Grand Trunk Pacific railway." Source: Walbran, John T; "British Columbia Coast Names, 1592-1906: Their Origin and History"; published for the Geographic Board of Canada, Ottawa, 1909 (republished for the Vancouver Public Library by J.J. Douglas Ltd, Vancouver, 1971) |
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Labelled "Shawatlan Passage" on 1st (1916) edition of BC Lands' map 3M; labelled "Fern Passage" on 1921 and subsequent editions. Source: BC place name cards, correspondence and/or research by BC Chief Geographer & Geographical Names Office staff. |