| Feature Type: | Island - Land area surrounded by water or marsh. |
| Status: | Official |
| Name Authority: | BC Geographical Names Office |
| Relative Location: | S of Sidney Island in Haro Strait, E side of Saanich Peninsula N of Vicoria, Cowichan Land District |
| Latitude-Longitude: | 48°33'58"N, 123°16'43"W at the approximate centre of this feature. |
| Datum: | WGS84 |
| NTS Map: | 92B/11 |
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Origin Notes and History:
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D'Arcy Island adopted 6 November 1934, as labelled on BC map of the Southern Districts of Vancouver Island, 1892 et seq; not "Darcy Island" as spelled on British Admiralty Chart 2689, 1859 et seq. Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office |
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Named in 1858 by Captain Richards, RN, of HMS Plumper, after Lieutenant John D'Arcy, RN, (1831-1869) who was mate (sub-lieutenant) of the Herald on her surveying expedition to the Pacific Ocean, 1852-1854. Entered the navy 1844; Lieutenant 1854; Commander 1863; Captain 1869...... Source: Walbran, John T; British Columbia Coast Names, 1592-1906: their origin and history; Ottawa, 1909 (republished for the Vancouver Public Library by J.J. Douglas Ltd, Vancouver, 1971) |
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In 1891 a leper colony was established on D'Arcy Island (see Victoria Colonist 21 May 1891); closed in 1924 when the facility was moved to Bentinck Island. [excerpts from various books & newspaper clippings re: leper colony, received September 1992, on file V.1.38]. Source: Walbran, John T; British Columbia Coast Names, 1592-1906: their origin and history; Ottawa, 1909 (republished for the Vancouver Public Library by J.J. Douglas Ltd, Vancouver, 1971) |