Seal Island (Albany, Western Australia)

Seal Island in the Great Southern region[1] of Western Australia (located at 35°4′31″S 117°58′29″E) is approximately 8.5 kilometres (5 mi) south-east of Albany and approximately 3 kilometres (2 mi) offshore from Frenchman Bay in King George Sound. It has a total area of 2.8 hectares (7 acres). The island is designated as a nature reserve (Reserve Number 32199).[2]

For other uses, see Seal Island (disambiguation).

Seal Island
Location of Seal Island near Albany, Western Australia[1]
Seal Island from near Goode Beach

The island is composed entirely of granite and is only accessible at the western end.[3]

History

George Vancouver named Seal Island in 1791 along with Breaksea Island, Michaelmas Island and other features around King George Sound.[4]

Matthew Flinders landed on Seal Island during the voyage of the Investigator in 1801, searching for items that were reportedly left by Vancouver[5] and leaving behind a bottle containing a parchment with details of their own arrival and departure.[6]

HMAS Perth was scuttled behind Seal Island in 2001, and is now one of Western Australia's premier dive sites.[7]

References
  1. There are 5 islands in Western Australia named "Seal Island" – see Seal Island for more information.
  2. "South Coast Regional Management Plan 1992-2002" (PDF). 2002. Retrieved 17 April 2008.
  3. Encountering Terra Australis: The Australian Voyages of Nicolas Baudin and Matthew Flinders. 2007. Retrieved 17 April 2008.
  4. "SMH Travel - Albany". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2004. Retrieved 17 April 2008.
  5. The Life of Matthew Flinders. 2004. Retrieved 17 April 2008.
  6. "The History of Australian Exploration Chapter XVI". 2007. Retrieved 17 April 2008.
  7. "Albany - The Wild South West". 2007. Retrieved 17 April 2008.
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