Brook Islands, located in the St. Lawrence River, is a group of three islands – North, Tween, and Middle. The latter is the smallest and has the most picturesque harbour. The North Island is the largest and has a lighthousebuilt in 1859.
Tween Island is located in the middle of the group and was used as a quarantine station during the 19th century because of its close proximity to Quebec City. Middle Island also has a lighthouse, but it was built in 1923.
Contents
All About Of Brook Islands, Three Islands
History
The islands were first named by Samuel de Champlain in 1608 after the brook that flows through them. The island group was designated a National Wildlife Reserve in 1939 and is now part of the Jacques-Cartier Biosphere Reserve.
The two main islands are dominated by their rocky topography, but since the de-glaciation 10,000 years ago they have been colonized by several species of grasses and shrubs that provide an excellent habitat for diverse birds.
The island’s coast is also home to crustaceans found nowhere else in Canada – including a very rare freshwater shrimp known as “peyssonnel”(“St John’s jumping bean.
Climate
The climate on the islands is humid continental with cold winters and hot summers. Winters are characterized by long periods of darkness, while summers can be very oppressive. Snow cover usually begins to melt in the spring, but snow flurries may occur at any time of the year.
Middle Island is entirely barren and has no species under threat on its coasts; however, shorebirds such as western sandpiper “fuscilla” make a pilgrimage there during their summer movements between parts of Canada. An observation tower was built on Middle in 1999-2000 by Parks Canada as part of an ongoing project with provincial agencies.
Culture
The islands are home to a small population of Inuit who possess several traditional skills, such as skinning seals, hunting game and crafting walrus ivory artifacts. Reference lighthouses on the islands mark separate surveys that were conducted in 1608, 1913 and 1934.
Declared a National Park on May 1, 1939 by Order in Council P.C.: 2216. Acting Minister of Fisheries (M) M.J Blackwell: “To erect an Observation Tower made of Stone or wood with suitable large lights thereon…” located on Middle Island with 10 lens reflectors approximately tall; used during fog season.
Politics
The islands are in the riding of Lunenburg-Sydney-Victoria. Jane Stewart: member of parliament, MP (Liberal Party), elected in 2008 as a part-time Member of Parliament and Minister responsible for the Ontario Provincial Police, Science and Technology. Travis Cloke: MLA representing Victoria. Gordon Earle: MLA representing Victoria since 1985.
Government Services
The islands are serviced by a small number of local businesses and have no airport or ferry service. The closest airport is in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They are serviced by the Government of Canada in Ottawa, at a marine centre situated on Middle Island and funded through oceanographic activities.
Cellular Service Provider: Wind Mobile (www.windmobile.ca) Finance American National Bank and Trust Company was established in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It is no longer operational.
Tourism
The islands are open to tourists only during the summer, and they have a small tourism industry that is supported by local businesses. Tourism to the island is usually from Halifax, Nova Scotia and rarely from Victoria. The islands have a number of shops, including the island’s own grocery store.
The ferries that provide service between the islands and mainland leave in the summer season only. These are frequently cancelled due to poor weather, but this is not considered a negative event because of how isolated it is.
Defences The present day protection on all three main Islands was expanded after two attempts by U-boat torpedoes nearly wiped out their human population at war’s end However during WWII many boats were sunk through direct combat engagements with German submarines.
Transport
There is no public transportation available on the islands. The only way to get there is by ferry or plane. There are no bridges between the islands and there has been since before World War II.
There were two sections of rail tracks that ran up and down the middle, but over time ice forced them to abandon their plans for this method of transport in favour of boat service now available across Anticosti Island. Water transportation is only possible during the summer months when sea water is at a low enough level to float boats across The Straits (Winter crossings.
Cuisine
There is no restaurants on the island. However, residents and visitors can find many places to eat in Halifax. Adjacent Islands:
None Obstacles On the islands is a series of hills which can be seen in aerial shots, these are: Ile-Des-Sables
The Sable Island Beacon was used until 1945 by armed lighthouse keepers. The current building rocks and feels unsafe on cold days. It’s not maintained or staffed as monks from the abbey live in it so earshot does not guarantee safety (at least for one non monk).
Wildlife
There is a resident population of seals, which are naturally Curious and may approach boats. Hawks and other larger birds can be seen in the sky. There are two types of Deer: white-tailed and deer mouse. The mice primarily eat the turtle eggs but will chew meat too,
The following is a small selection of larger species commonly encountered today on both American and Canadian islands off the coast Russian Maritime claims surrounding these lands can be found here New York Royal Navy Submarine Base Chatham Islands (NZ) & British Naval Outpost South Georgia as part below :
South Georgia A land based station built in the early 20th century for the Royal Navy, this was purpose built to monitor shipping and icebergs blown off Antarctica. The base is no longer manned or used by them.
Patrolling Sable Island from here has been a long time mission of reconnaissance missions (1912) but now appears to be solely done through satellite imagery deployment that can rotate male outcasts who have shown an affinity with violent behaviour.
Conclusion
Brook Islands is a small uninhabited island located in the Saint Lawrence River, in eastern Canada. The island is made up of three parts: North, Tween, and Middle. It is said that the first European to see Brook Islands was Jacques Cartier in 1535.
FAQ
1.What Is The Population Of Brook Islands?
Ans: There is no permanent population on Brook Islands. However, monks from the nearby Abbey reside there and are easily accessible if needed.
2.Are There Any Animals Or Wildlife On Brook Islands?
Ans: Yes, seals can be found living on the island, along with hawks and deer mice. Seals are known to dive into the water and catch fish. Deer mice tend to eat anything they can get their hands on, but they don’t often live on Brook Islands.
3.What Is The Weather Like Outside?
Ans: Temperature: 5-12 C Sunny; cloudy starting in September Weather Description : 2 average high temperatures 3 low temperatures Climate Normals (Source: Météo Canada ) Precipitation Rainfall Snow Depth of snow days per year: 12.8 C Weather Information : Wind direction and strength Kilometers an hour to reach by car (Source: Weather Underground )
4.What Are The Plants, Trees Or Wildlife On Brook Islands?
Ans: There is no flora of interest at this time on Brook Islands as it has been a very long period without any animals in residence there which leads us to believe that they either moved away or died off during the great ice age .
5.Is Brook Island Good?
Ans: No. Brook Islands is not good at all, the island is a military base that was closed years ago and it’s only inhabitated by a group of monks they have been there for generations.
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