The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-07-23
The oueeress Island in the World. >

IL is proposed to make the attempt
TO cover Sable Island. of the Nova
Scotian coast, which is now little more
than bare sand-bar. with vegetation.
the object being to make the Gland
more conspicuous on account of its
green color and so to prevent wrecks.
The island is called by writer in the
London (Canadal Daily Advertiser
May 10) the queerest island in the
world and he goes on to give the
following particulars OF the attempt
TO cover it with trees:
Away out on the blue bosom of
the Atlantic. 100 miles from Halifax.
and so miles from the nearest point
of the Nova Scotian coast, lies long.
low strip OF bare sand. For centuries
it lay thus. enveloped in fogs and beat
en- upon by the long North Atlantic
swell. its only inhabitants the wild
fowl and the dead seamen who from
time to time are washed up to bleach
on its shores. Three hundred years
ago il was an island forty miles in
length: now. so indefatigable worker
- Ns4S 49, - a st-in af white
Sand, su'ontsr rniiae lons and two miles
wide On every side of it. far as the
eye can reach. is the dead level of the
ocean. overhead is the sky, and for
the greater part of the year the ghast-
iy. impenetrable fogs that are born OF
the struggle for supremacy between
the Gulf Stream and the icy water
that comes sweeping down from Baf-
fins Straits A more dismal place
than Sable Island was never imagined
Yet here. through fog and sunshine
| winter and summer, storm and calm
dwells a diminutiye colony of brave
men. who comprise an important part
of the Canadian life-saving service.
1T is to this dreary speck of land
that Mr.. Saunders intends to accom-
pany his father. Professor Saunders
of Ottawa. with the object of making
an experiment which. if successful
will be a remarkable achievement. and
one that will cause the storm-tossed
mariner to bless the Dominion Gov
ernment which authorized it. Owing
10 its color the island is almost indis-
tingnishahle at short distance. more
especially in heavy wether; and al
though the Government maintains q
lighthouse and a wrecking station al
either end OF it. many good ship has
gone TO pieces in the yeasty surf that
surrounds it. Professor Saunders plar
is to completely cover the island
with vegetation. so that. il will
stand out sharp and clear to approach
ing vessels. To this end large ship
nent of hardy evergreen trees is now
al Halifax awaiting his arrival. The
work of planting will. it is expected
occupy two or three weeks. during
which period Mr.. Saunders. of this
city. hopes TO be able to make some
valuable notes on the bird life of the
| island.
To ornithologists the island is re
markable for being the nesting ground
OF the Ipswich sparrow. the most con
servative bird in existence. probably
The Ipswich sparrow migrates in the
fall to certain sections Of the Southern
States. but confines its housekeeping
operations exclusively 20 Sable Island
Indeed. Il has never been known tc
rest in any other spot in the world
BY what mysterious power this tins
atom OF feathers Is guided each year
through wind and storm to one narrow
ribbon OF sand in the broad ocean
students OF bird life have not explain
ed.
The history Of the mammal life OF
Sable Island wen illustrates the sur
vival OF the ntsest. The walrus
which. We are told. was once plentiful
has disappeared. although seals still
frequent the long reaches Of sand
Some time ago. rats from a ship that
went down OF the island succeeded
in reaching the shore. and soon multi
piled 20 szieh an extent as 70 become
dangerous TO the settlers. When thes
had wellnigA destroyed the food sup.
plies on the island. the settlers I'm
ported some energetic Nora Seotiar
cats, which kept the pest in cheek
antil = passing ship ieft pair ol