| Navy
Island Navy Island is on 128.2 hectares situated in the upper Niagara River and
has a rich undisturbed deposit of prehistoric archaeological material. This is
where the first British decked vessels to sail the upper Great Lakes were built.
These vessels were essential to maintaining the supply lines westward during Pontiac's
uprising (1763-64). It was briefly occupied in 1837 by Canadian rebels led by
William Lyon Mackenzie, but they were forced to abandon it in January of 1838. Navy
Island is located on the Niagara River upstream from the Falls (7 kilometres south).
The Island is accessible only by boat and no facilities are provided, the land
being maintained in its natural state. There
is relatively little awareness of this small piece of land in the Niagara River,
yet it is very rich in history. Navy Island is located opposite Ussher's Creek
in Chippawa, at the northern tip of Grand Island, closest to the Canadian shore.
The Niagara Parks Commission now leases the island from Parks Canada. The
first inhabitants, thought to be 10,000 years ago, were natives, who used it for
fishing and building canoes. They referred to this piece of land as "Big Canoe".
In
the 1700's the French took it over. They too used it for shipbuilding and also
as a naval base. They referred to their island as "Ile la Marine" --- Navy Island,
its present day name.
The British took it over in 1763,constructing two
sloops and three schooners. The island was then used for repairing and defending
ships having gone to battle in the War of 1812.
Canada was awarded ownership
of the island by an International Boundaries Commission in 1822.
Navy Island's
next "tenant" was noted rebel and reformer, William Lyon Mackenzie, who occupied
it during the civil rebellion, 1837-1838. Mackenzie established the Provincial
Government of Upper Canada here.
In the 1850's four families settled on
the property, farming and planting orchards. By the late 1880's the families were
sharing the island, at least the southeast shore, with the Queen's hotel, a two-story
lodging. The hotel stayed in business for a few years but then was abandoned and
a fire saw its demise in 1910.
In 1945 the island was suggested as a site
for the United Nations because of its proximity to the two peaceful, bordering
countries of Canada and the United States. Unfortunately, the final choice went
to New York.
Navy Island has become home to many species of wildlife,
large populations of which is deer. In 1950 eighteen deer carcasses were found
on the island. The numbers of these animals had grown to approximately 120 and
they began starving to death for lack of food supply on the island. The Department
of Lands and Forests have arranged controlled hunts to try and keep the population
to about twenty-five. These hunts have been done subsequently in years when the
island has become overpopulated with deer. The hunts were not favoured by residents
and the humane society, as it is believed that the herd could be thinned out by
transporting them elsewhere rather than killing them.
Navy Island was briefly
considered as a possible site for the World's Fair in 1960, but that never came
to be.
Archaeological digs conducted in l989 unearthed the remains
of a prehistoric native Indian thought to date back 3,000 years. Officials needed
permission from the Six Nations Indian reserve to remove the bones. Professors
believe that there is a wealth of archaeological material, much of which already
has been lost due to the erosion of about ten feet of shoreline. Projects to halt
the erosion have been discussed but the site must be preserved naturally, not
using stone or concrete walls and without disturbing the historical material yet
to be unearthed.
Navy Island is a popular spot for fishermen, nature lovers,
bird watchers and campers. The terrain is lush with vegetation even wild
raspberries and grapes. There are also quite a variety of trees, pawpaw, oak,
hickory, and blue beech. Be aware however when venturing out as the island is
also loaded with poison ivy.
Navy Island may soon become home to nesting
Bald Eagles. These birds have not been seen in the Niagara area since around the
1940's to 1950's. The cause of their disappearance is due to pollution of the
Niagara River by chemicals from nearby plants. Lethal doses of toxic chemicals
were found in blood samples taken from bird remains. Both Canada and the United
States banned the use of such chemicals in l970, and since that time the waters
of the Niagara River have become less polluted. Naturalists are hoping to attract
the majestic bird back to mating in Niagara by building a platform large enough
to accommodate the great birds' nest which can be anywhere in size from six feet
wide and four feet long, and weigh as much as three tons. Eagles mate for life
and return to the same nest each year. The island is a perfect choice for their
new home as it remote, surrounded by water and will have a steady supply of fish
and aquatic species for the birdsÕ consumption. All
visitors to the Island must follow the Regulations outlined below and those wishing
to camp overnight must obtain a Permit from The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC).
ÊRegulations
for the Use of Navy Island -
Visitors
use Navy Island at their own risk. NPC is not liable for any personal injury or
loss. -
Removal
or damage to any plant, shrub or flower is NOT permitted, as per Regulation 686,
Section 2(1) of the Niagara Parks Act. -
Handling
or interference of any kind of birds and animals or their habitat is NOT permitted -
A fire may
be built in a suitable location, being well protected, tended and completely extinguished
after use and subject to safe weather conditions. NPC reserves the right to prohibit
fires of any kind during hazardous seasonal conditions. -
Littering
is NOT permitted and all litter must be removed from the Island. -
Firearms,
air guns, archery equipment, fireworks etc. are NOT permitted on Navy Island as
per Section 2(6) of the Niagara Parks Act. -
Alcohol
is permitted ONLY at the immediate campsite. In all other areas of the Island,
the consumption of alcohol is prohibited. Violators are subject to charges under
the Liquor Licence Act. -
Navy
Island is Federal Land under the control of NPC and patrolled by members of the
Niagara Parks Police. Officers from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources,
Canada Customs and the Niagara Regional Police may make visits to the Island on
behalf of NPC. -
Canadian
law prohibits any digging or excavation on Federal lands. -
ANY visitor
to Navy Island launching a boat from the U.S.A., must notify Canada Customs upon
arrival or just prior to departure from the U.S.A. at 1 888 CANPASS (1 888 226
7277) or 905 354 4785. Overnight
Camping Permit Requirements Permits
for overnight camping are available at the Niagara Parks Police office, 6075 Niagara
Parkway, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada (directly across from the American Falls).
Campers must fill out a registration form and pay the fee(s) for the required
permit(s) to be issued. Boat registration information may also be required. Office
Hours Office
hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., 7 days per week between
June to September and Monday to Friday only during the off-season. Questions
can be answered by the Niagara Parks Police at 905 356 1338 or by e-mail at nppolice@niagaraparks.com. |
