Digest>Archives> January 2001

Lights of Les Iles de la Madeleine (Magdalen Islands) Quebec, Canada

By Chris Mills

Comments?    


You can see an enlarged version of this picture by clicking here.
>> Click to enlarge <<
Cap Alright Lighthouse. Established in 1928, this ...
Photo by: Chris Mills

The Magdalen Islands (Les Iles de la Madeleine) sit in the middle of Canada’s Gulf of St. Lawrence, north of Prince Edward Island. Sandbars, bridges and causeways link many of the islands.

You can see an enlarged version of this picture by clicking here.
>> Click to enlarge <<
Harbour beacon at LaGrave, on the island of Havre ...
Photo by: Chris Mills

Most of the Magdalen’s roughly 14,000 inhabitants are French-speaking, although there are small English settlements on Grosse Ile and Ile d’entrée (Entry Island). Entry Island is the only inhabited island not connected to the archipelago.

You can see an enlarged version of this picture by clicking here.
>> Click to enlarge <<
This modern lighthouse at Pointe Herisse is made ...
Photo by: Chris Mills

From the beginning of sea travel from Europe to the new world, the Magdalen Islands were a dangerous place for mariners. Scores of immigrant ships, merchant vessels and fishing boats met their demise on sandbars and shoals surrounding the islands. More that 200 wrecks were recorded between 1855 and 1880.

You can see an enlarged version of this picture by clicking here.
>> Click to enlarge <<
The old tower at L’Anse a la Cabane is especially ...
Photo by: Chris Mills

There are six major lighthouses on the Magdalens. A light on Rochers aux Oiseaux (Bird Rocks) was the first of six, built atop a craggy lump of sandstone in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in 1870. In 1871 the Canadian Government built a light on the south end of the archipelago, at L’Anse a la Cabane. In 1874 lights went up on the western side of Ile du Cap aux Meules at Pointe Herisse and on Entry Island, 11 miles east of Cap aux Meules. Lights on Ile Brion (1905) and Cap Alright (1928), completed the lighting of the Magdalen Islands.

You can see an enlarged version of this picture by clicking here.
>> Click to enlarge <<
The red sandstone cliffs at Cap Alright.
Photo by: Chris Mills

Although the Magdalen Islands are part of the province of Quebec, its beacons are under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Coast Guard Base in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

You can see an enlarged version of this picture by clicking here.
>> Click to enlarge <<
Entry Island Light, established in 1874. The ...
Photo by: Chris Mills

Bird Rocks and Entry Island were the last lights on the Magdalens to be automated, losing their keepers in 1998.

You can see an enlarged version of this picture by clicking here.
>> Click to enlarge <<
Old diaphone resonators (fog horns) from the ...
Photo by: Chris Mills


You can see an enlarged version of this picture by clicking here.
>> Click to enlarge <<
Entry Island Light Station showing the former ...
Photo by: Chris Mills


You can see an enlarged version of this picture by clicking here.
>> Click to enlarge <<
The lighthouse at L’Anse a la Cabane, on the ...
Photo by: Chris Mills

This story appeared in the January 2001 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

All contents copyright © 1995-2024 by Lighthouse Digest®, Inc. No story, photograph, or any other item on this website may be reprinted or reproduced without the express permission of Lighthouse Digest. For contact information, click here.


Subscribe
to Lighthouse Digest



USLHS Marker Fund


Lighthouse History
Research Institute


Shop Online












Subscribe   Contact Us   About Us   Copyright Foghorn Publishing, 1994- 2024   Lighthouse Facts     Lighthouse History