D'Arcy Island Feature
Island - Land area surrounded by water or marsh. S of Sidney Island in Haro Strait, E side of Saanich Peninsula N of Vicoria, Cowichan Land District
Mapped Location
D'Arcy Island: The mapped location is an approximation and should not be used for navigation or wayfinding.
Information
General information on D'Arcy Island
- Feature Type: Feature
Official, historical, colloquial and alternative toponyms for D'Arcy Island
A brief list of names that this geographic feature has been named
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| D'Arcy Island | Official |
Origin Notes and History of D'Arcy Island
References to D'Arcy Island that document the origin of its place name
D'Arcy Island adopted 6 November 1934, as labelled on BC map of the Southern Districts of Vancouver Island, 1892 et seq; not "Darcy Island" as spelled on British Admiralty Chart 2689, 1859 et seq.
Named in 1858 by Captain Richards, RN, of HMS Plumper, after Lieutenant John D'Arcy, RN, (1831-1869) who was mate (sub-lieutenant) of the Herald on her surveying expedition to the Pacific Ocean, 1852-1854. Entered the navy 1844; Lieutenant 1854; Commander 1863; Captain 1869......
In 1891 a leper colony was established on D'Arcy Island (see Victoria Colonist 21 May 1891); closed in 1924 when the facility was moved to Bentinck Island. [excerpts from various books & newspaper clippings re: leper colony, received September 1992, on file V.1.38].
Last updated: 2026-10-14