Geography | |
---|---|
Location | Fortune Bay |
Coordinates | 47°16′47″N 55°54′02″W / 47.27972°N 55.90056°W |
Area | 20 km2 (7.7 sq mi) |
Highest elevation | 160 m (520 ft) |
Administration | |
Canada | |
Province | Newfoundland and Labrador |
Brunette Island is an island in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, the largest island in the Fortune Bay.
A fishing community was established on the island in the 1800s, and at one time there were about 300 residents living primarily at two locations: Mercer's Cove and Forward's Cove. In 1865 a 30-foot high lighthouse was built on the island. [1] A new lighthouse was built by 1924. [2]
The entire village was resettled off the island in the 1950s. [3] [4]
In 1964, an experimental attempt to introduce bison to Newfoundland was made, using Brunette Island as a test site; the attempt did not prove successful; [5] [6] [7] the rocky landscape and sheer cliffs on the island were significantly different from the wide plains to which the bison were adapted. [8]
With more success, wildlife biologists continued to use Brunette as a site for wildlife observation and a breeding ground for Arctic hare, caribou, ptarmigan, and moose. [8] The lack of large predators on the island allowed the populations to expand as far as food resources would allow. [9] At times the island has been opened to hunters. [10] [11]
From October 12–23, 2016, Mack McGowen, a native of Tyler, Texas, lived alone on Brunette Island and streamed the experience live on Facebook in a documentary titled "Castaway Live." [12]
Mercer Head on Brunette Island continues to be the site of a navigational light. [13]
Geography | |
---|---|
Location | Fortune Bay |
Coordinates | 47°16′47″N 55°54′02″W / 47.27972°N 55.90056°W |
Area | 20 km2 (7.7 sq mi) |
Highest elevation | 160 m (520 ft) |
Administration | |
Canada | |
Province | Newfoundland and Labrador |
Brunette Island is an island in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, the largest island in the Fortune Bay.
A fishing community was established on the island in the 1800s, and at one time there were about 300 residents living primarily at two locations: Mercer's Cove and Forward's Cove. In 1865 a 30-foot high lighthouse was built on the island. [1] A new lighthouse was built by 1924. [2]
The entire village was resettled off the island in the 1950s. [3] [4]
In 1964, an experimental attempt to introduce bison to Newfoundland was made, using Brunette Island as a test site; the attempt did not prove successful; [5] [6] [7] the rocky landscape and sheer cliffs on the island were significantly different from the wide plains to which the bison were adapted. [8]
With more success, wildlife biologists continued to use Brunette as a site for wildlife observation and a breeding ground for Arctic hare, caribou, ptarmigan, and moose. [8] The lack of large predators on the island allowed the populations to expand as far as food resources would allow. [9] At times the island has been opened to hunters. [10] [11]
From October 12–23, 2016, Mack McGowen, a native of Tyler, Texas, lived alone on Brunette Island and streamed the experience live on Facebook in a documentary titled "Castaway Live." [12]
Mercer Head on Brunette Island continues to be the site of a navigational light. [13]