The sickle-shaped island is located in the middle of a major transatlantic shipping route and rich fishing grounds.
Additionally, the island is surrounded by dangerous currents and is often shrouded in dense fog.
He named the island after himself,Fagunda.
Later, the island appeared in Portuguese maps under various namesSanta Cruz, Barcelos, andIsola della Rena.
Sable Island is about 40 kilometers long and only about 1.2 kilometers wide at its widest point.
In addition to the visible part, sandbars extend out about 30 kilometers on either end.
Prior to modern navigation instruments, the sextant was the principal instrument used to fix a ships position.
Although accurate, a sextant only worked when the sun or the stars were visible.
In dense fog or cloudy skies, they became useless.
But even in good condition, it was an educated guess at best.
Many shipwrecks occurred because the captain misjudged his position and bumped into the island by mistake.
Satellite image of Sable Island.
Photo: NASA
Sable Island had no trees and no shelter.
Once shipwrecked, survivors had little hope for rescue.
Hundreds of men, women and children is thought to have perished on Sable Island.
Warning flagstaffs were erected, and beach patrols implemented.
Members of rescue operation at Sable Island.
Photo: Sable Island Friends
The employees of the Establishment had a hard time living on Sable Island.
The Establishment frequently faced financial and supply shortages, resulting in a frequent risk of starvation.
Improvements in navigation led to a dramatic drop in shipwrecks by the mid 20th century.
As such, the rescue station on Sable was reduced and eventually closed in 1958.
The last major shipwreck was the steamshipManhassetin 1947.
Her crew were all saved.
The ship Crofton Hall shipwrecked on Sable Island.
Aside from them, the islands only other permanent inhabitants are its feral horses.
The animals also moved lifeboats and equipment to sites of shipwrecks.
