This is an odd situation. I was here in the mid-90s, and it was, at that time, one of the last manned lighthouses in the US. However, it was manned by the Canadian government. The island was in dispute, once upon a time, and the Canadians built the lighthouse, and continue to operate it, even though ownership of the island was determined to be the US. At least, that is the story that they told me while I was there.
It is an odd situation, it was claimed by Britain before the American Revolution as part of Nova Scotia, it was overlooked in treaties, the lighthouse was Built and managed for the Canadian city of Saint John in 1832, around 1910 the current water boundaries were established which moved it from Canadian waters to American, but the island has always been inhabited and claimed by Canada. To further complicate matters there are other more serious territory disputes between Washington State, Alaska and Canada
It is in an area known as the "Gray Zone" it is a disputed area along the Canada/US border that is claimed by both countries. Fishermen from both sides set Lobster traps in the gray zone and the opposite countries department of Fisheries cuts the lines on them.
Comments
bolobill, on March 23, 2008, said:
This is an odd situation. I was here in the mid-90s, and it was, at that time, one of the last manned lighthouses in the US. However, it was manned by the Canadian government. The island was in dispute, once upon a time, and the Canadians built the lighthouse, and continue to operate it, even though ownership of the island was determined to be the US. At least, that is the story that they told me while I was there.
Nice place to see puffins.
Hogibogi, on March 30, 2008, said:
It is an odd situation, it was claimed by Britain before the American Revolution as part of Nova Scotia, it was overlooked in treaties, the lighthouse was Built and managed for the Canadian city of Saint John in 1832, around 1910 the current water boundaries were established which moved it from Canadian waters to American, but the island has always been inhabited and claimed by Canada. To further complicate matters there are other more serious territory disputes between Washington State, Alaska and Canada
Jeremycline, on January 28, 2009, said:
It is in an area known as the "Gray Zone" it is a disputed area along the Canada/US border that is claimed by both countries. Fishermen from both sides set Lobster traps in the gray zone and the opposite countries department of Fisheries cuts the lines on them.
Bruce da Moose, on November 19, said:
I say we Yanks invade Canada, annex them and teach those characters a lesson ;-)
(Just kidding - a few quibbles aside, I love Canada!)
~ Bruce da Moose