| Feature Type: | Port (1) - Inlet, or part of an inlet, providing shelter to vessels; a bay. |
| Status: | Official |
| Name Authority: | BC Geographical Names Office |
| Relative Location: | Just N of Monckton Inlet on SW side of Pitt Island, Range 4 Coast Land District |
| Latitude-Longitude: | 53°19'54"N, 129°41'34"W at the approximate centre of this feature. |
| Datum: | WGS84 |
| NTS Map: | 103H/5 |
|
|
Origin Notes and History:
|
Adopted 7 March 1933 on Ottawa file OBF 1420, as labelled on early British Admiralty charts. Source: BC place name cards & correspondence, and/or research by BC Chief Geographer & Geographical Names Office staff. |
|
"Port Stephens was named in 1788 by Captain Charles Duncan of the sloop Princess Royal, when he proceeded into it in search of fur trade with the Tsimpshian people. He bestowed the name in honour the Secretary of the Admiralty, Sir Philip Stephens. Duncan made a detailed sketch of the harbour, one of several he produced, which were later reproduced at London, and which were carried on board by Capt. Vancouver when he was surveying the area in 1793. BUT, the inlet Captain Duncan described is now named Ala Passage, entrance of which is approximately N53°27' in Principe Channel. (Vancouver recognized Duncan's port as he sailed by it, so did Menzies.) The presently named Port Stephens describes the inlet, entrance of which is approximately N53°19', some 12 miles to the southwest of inlet Duncan's originally name Port Stephens. (informaton provided May 2003 by Sooke historian Richard E. Wells.) Source: included with note |