Ushant

[uhsh-uhnt]

Ushant, Fr. Ouessant, island, 10 sq mi (25.9 sq km), Finistère dept., off Brittany, in the Atlantic, c.10 mi (16 km) from the mainland. A hazard to navigation and subject to intense fall and winter storms, Ushant has several lighthouses and marks the southwestern entrance to the English Channel. Sheep raising and fishing are economically important, as is summer tourism. In 1778 and 1794 naval battles occurred nearby between the French and English.

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Ushant

Ushant (Enez Eusa, Ouessant) is an island in the English Channel which marks the north-westernmost point of European France. It belongs to Brittany and is in the traditional region of Bro-Leon. Administratively, Ushant is a commune in the Finistère department. It is the only place in Brittany with a separate name in English.

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 Cornwall, 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 Lambaol/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, a U.S. oil tanker, Amoco Cadiz, ran aground at Portsall about 19 miles from the island, leading to 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 who sees Sein sees his end."

This proverb is related to the area around the island, considered one of the most challenging areas to navigate in the world with its many rocks and more than ten knot tide streams.

Miscellaneous

The Kreac'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 usual start and finish line for circumnavigations.

Ushant is also a character briefly appearing in Herman Melville's White-Jacket. Ushant is highly admired for his beard. See chapter 84 of the book for further information.

Ushant is mentioned in George Orwell's diaries, in passing.