Clipperton Island | atoll, uninhabited island

Mexico / Michoacan / La Orilla /
 island, atoll, uninhabited island

Clipperton Island is a coral atoll in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, southwest of Mexico and west of Central America, at 10°18′N 109°13′W. The island is an overseas possession of France. It has no permanent inhabitants.

"The British Pacific Island Company acquired the rights to guano deposits in 1906 and built a mining settlement in conjunction with the Mexican government. That same year, a lighthouse was erected under the orders of President Porfirio Díaz. By 1914 around 100 people—men, women, and children—were living there, resupplied every two months by a ship from Acapulco. With the escalation of fighting in the Mexican Revolution, the regular resupply visits ceased and the inhabitants were left to their own devices.

By 1917 all but one of the male inhabitants had died. Many had perished from scurvy, while others (including Captain Arnaud) died during an attempt to sail after a passing ship to fetch help. Lighthouse keeper Victoriano Álvarez was the last man on the island, together with 15 women and children. Álvarez proclaimed himself "king" and began a campaign of rape and murder, before being killed by Tirza Rendón, who was the recipient of his unwanted attention. Almost immediately after Álvarez's death four women and seven children, the last survivors, were picked up by the US Navy gunship Yorktown on 18 July 1917"

Clipperton is also coincidentally located near the approximate location of Gilligan's Island given by the Professor in the episode titled "Big Man on a Little Stick", at 110 degrees longitude, 10 degrees latitude.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   10°18'12"N   109°13'1"W

Comments

  • Clipperton Island (French: Île de Clipperton or Île de la Passion) is a nine-square-kilometre coral atoll in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, southwest of Mexico and west of Costa Rica, at [show location on an interactive map] 10°18′N 109°13′W / 10.3, -109.217Coordinates: [show location on an interactive map] 10°18′N 109°13′W / 10.3, -109.217. It has no permanent inhabitants. It is an overseas possession of France administered by the Minister of Overseas France. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clipperton_Island
  • Clipperton Island has a very interesting history skillfully told in the book by Jimmy Skaggs: Clipperton, The Island That Time Forgot.
  • On February 10, 2010 at 12:36 GMT, MRCC Papeete and state authorities in French Polynesia have been informed of the grounding of the vessel SICHEM OSPREY chemical tanker flying the Maltese flag on Clipperton Island (North Pacific) by the English shipping agent of the ship. The vessel of 170 meters long in transit Panama Canal towards South Korea (Ulsan) ran aground on the uninhabited atoll. The reasons for the grounding remains to be determined after investigation. Currently, there is no marine pollution and the 19 crew members were unharmed. The ship’s cargo includes xylene significant amount of animal fat and vegetable oil. The captain reports no leak. The High Commissioner of the Republic in French Polynesia has remained the owner of the vessel to establish a contract for assistance and towing within 48 hours. This is taking all steps to be able to proceed with the removal of the vessel and its cargo. The MRCC Papeete and the sea area commander maintain permanent contact with the shipping agent and the ship. A naval vessel will soon sail to the area of French sovereignty to Clipperton. http://dx-world.net/2010/ship-aground-clipperton/
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