Old Map

Map of Chantry Island dated 1st Oct., 1868

Click on blue notes to get detail.

This old map draw in 1884 shows the dramatic change in the size of Chantry Island versus todays approximate shape. Note the land made since 1868 on the northwest shore of the Island. The 3 references are for the shore line in September 1884, June 1882 and some unknown month in 1868. Other interesting writing on the map is listed below: This map was obtained by John Weichel from the National Archives of Canada. It's title is "Proposed Protection to Island" and it comes originally from the "Public Works Canada"

It was surveyed by C. Carrott and drawn on the 1st of October 1884. The purpose of the map was to propse an addition to the groyne shown on the south-west corner of the island and some boulder and brush protection slightly further north along the shore.. Evidently, the Island was in danger of washing away and as shown by the dark area that stretches along shore from the Keeper's dock, they also proposed a rock and brush additon to the shore to make sure that the Lighthouse itself was not threatened by waves and high water causing severe erosion. The notes not legible on this web picture are interesting to read. They show that Chantry Island was under stress soon after the Lighthouse's completion.   Please look at the labels in blue that were not on the original map and see the explanation of them below:

• Note 1  To accompany report dated Straford Ont.  8 Oct 1884
• Note 2. Surveyed by C. Carrott 1st Oct 1884  Asst. Eng.
• Note 3. Shoal waters full of large boulders.
• Note 4 Shoal waters full of large boulders and stones.
• Note 5 Scale 100 feet to the inch.
• Note 6 Note soundings are in feet.
• Notes 7,8,9
  • Shore line as of 1868 shouwn thus.-.-.-.-.-.- (Dot dash line)
  • Shore line as of 1882 shown thus ..... (Dotted line)
  • Shore line as of 1886 shown thus _____ (Solid line)
• Note 10. Waves wash entirely over
• Note 11Waves wash entirely over here during storms from the south east.
• Note 12 The note running parallel to shore says "Proposed stones and brush for protection"  The other notes running perpendicular to shore seem to say "Land washing away ..."  The large black area is the proposed stone buttress for the endangered Lighthouse.On the orginal it shows the stones clearly.
• Note 13 shows the southern groyne and the note that says "Proposed extension of groyne"  This was done to help build up land on the southern end of the Island that was washing away.  Just as the groyne joins the shore there is a note that says "Beach Made".  There is land shown on each side of the groyne in this area and it is clear that the surveyor wanted to point out that the groyne was creating land since its construction.
• Note 14 is at the site of the famous groyne that ran from the Island toward the gap that is now under water.  This groyne helped build up the north west shore of the Island.
• Note 15 Land made since 1868.  (This is a very important note showing the effects of the groyne that ran to the gap. It clearly indicates that the surveyor was impressed with the results of this very long groyne and wanted to impress upon the people looking at the map the need for lengthening the south groyne.)
• Note 16 Slight erosion a few trees uprooted.

 

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The map below is what appears on charts today. Because the Island is changing shape every day, this map is more indicative of the underlying glacial shape and not how the shore lines looks from year to year. Note the indications of the old groynes which are not completely underwater and are no longer serving their former purpose or only doing so in part.