Watkins Island

 island  Add category

 Upload a photo

Low, ice-covered island 5 mi long, lying 3 mi SW of Lavoisier Island in the Biscoe Islands. The island was first mapped by the FrAE under Charcot, 1903-05 and 1908-10, but remained unnamed until resighted by the BGLE under Rymill, 1934-37. He gave the name Mikkelsen Island after Ejnar Mikkelsen, Danish Arctic explorer. In applying the name, Rymill was unaware of the existence of Mikkelsen Islands 75 mi southwestward, named in 1908-10 by Charcot. To avoid confusion of the two, the UK-APC recommended in 1952 that the Rymill naming be amended. The new name, Watkins Island, commemorates Henry G. Watkins, leader of the British Arctic Air Route Expedition, 1930-31. A new feature, Mikkelsen Bay (q.v.), has been named for Ejnar Mikkelsen.