Crevichon

Crevichon
Location map of Crevichon

Crevichon is an islet off Herm, immediately to the north of Jethou, in the Channel Islands

According to Dr S.K. Kellett-Smith, it means "isle of crabs, crayfish or cranes". Like other names in the region it is Norman in origin. A thousand years ago, the water level was ten feet lower, making these creatures far more abundant there.

Contents

Geography

The island measures about 212 by 168 metres, which yields an area of less than three hectares. The distance to Jethou is about 215 metres.

History

An engraving of Castle Cornet 1672, showing the keep that was destroyed by an explosion later that year. Much of its stone came from Crevichon

A 16th century drawing of the islet, now in the British Museum, shows Crevichon as apparently a wooded islet.

Prof. John Le Patourel, in The Building of Castle Cornet mentions that in 1566, iron and hammers were taken to "Creavissham", and the island quarried for the castle. The quarry has been used intermittently since then, but this has had the unfortunate consequence of making the island less visible. As a result, a fifteen foot marker was erected on the top. Crevichon may have provided the granite for the steps of St. Paul's Cathedral in London.[1][2]

It is said that in earlier times, pirates were hanged on it with chains, like nearby Jethou.

Compton Mackenzie, former owner of Herm called Crevichon "Merg" in his book, Fairy Gold which is a fictionalised version of the islands.

Wrecks

in 1953, Victor Coysh says that he saw the remains of a German bomber, from the time of the occupation.

Other wrecks include

  • Courier, a Guernsey steamer, beached in 1905 with 80 passengers

References

  • Channel Islets - Victor Coysh
  1. ^ Alan, Wiseman; Flowers, Min (2007-08-18). "Quite Interesting". The Daily Telegraph (London: Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/portal/main.jhtml?xml=/portal/exclusions/quiteinteresting/nosplit/ftqi118.xml. Retrieved 2008-04-12. "An even smaller Channel Island, Crevichon, to the north of Jethou, is said to have provided the granite for the steps of St Paul's Cathedral." 
  2. ^ "Chance for people to visit Jethou". BBC News Online (BBC). 2004-06-19. Archived from the original on 2004-07-12. http://web.archive.org/web/20040712231108/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/guernsey/3820729.stm. Retrieved 2008-04-12. "'The steps to St Paul's Cathedral are said to be made with granite from Crevichon, the little island to the north of Jethou.'" 

External links

Coordinates: 49°27′56″N 2°27′53″W / 49.46556°N 2.46472°W / 49.46556; -2.46472

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Bailiwick of Guernsey
Guernsey · Alderney · Sark · Herm · Brecqhou · Burhou · Ortac · Les Casquets · Jethou · Lihou · Crevichon · Les Houmets
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