Ushant

Encyclopedia : U : US : USH : Ushant

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Ushant (in French Ouessant, in Breton Enez Eusa) is an island in the English Channel which marks the north-westernmost point of European France. It is located at [48°28′N 5°5′W] Administratively, Ushant is a commune of the Finistère département.

Geography

Ushant marks the southern entrance to the western English Channel, the northern entrance being the Isles of Scilly, southwest of Land's End in England. Although it is an island in the English Channel, it does not form part of the Channel Islands.

The island is a rocky landmass some 8 km by 3 km with a total area of 15 km².

Demographics

There is only one significant community on the island, the village of Lampaul. Ushant has a total population of 932 people (1999).

History

Ushant is famous for its maritime past, both as a fishing community and as a key landmark in the Channel approaches. It is named in the refrain of the sea shanty Spanish Ladies:

We'll rant and we'll roar like true British sailors,

We'll rant and we'll roar across the salt seas,

Until we strike soundings in the channel of old England,

From Ushant to Scilly is thirty-five leagues.

Several naval battles have been fought near Ushant between the British and French navies. See Battle of Ushant.

In March 1978, the US oil tanker Amoco Cadiz ran aground about 10 km from the island, causing major pollution of the Breton coast.

An old breton proverb says : "Qui voit Ouessant voit son sang, Qui voit Sein voit sa fin". The one who sees Ushant sees his blood, The one whe sees Sein sees his end. This proverb is related to one of the hardest area to navigate in the world, with many rocks and more than 10 knots tide streams.

Miscellaneous

The island is home to a special breed of dwarf black sheep.

The Creac'h lighthouse is reputedly the most powerful in the world.

Ushant is also the title of the autobiography of the American poet and novelist Conrad Aiken, published in 1952.

Between Ushant and Lizard Point is the finishing line for circumnavigations.

External links

• [Article at AllRefer Encyclopedia, based on ''The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia]
• [Traditional, Spanish Ladies, credited to Iron Men & Wooden Ships, by Frank Shay]
• [Ushant communal council website] (in French)
• [Tripping Diary - The island of Ouessant]

 

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