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Langford Island
HISTORY
Langford Island
Langford Island was named in 1866 by Commander G. S. Nares, RN, in
HMS Salamander after William Langford, Gunner 2nd Class appointed
to Salamander in 1863 (Nares' charts; Naval historical library,
London).
In April 1896 the island and its reef were the subject of a study by the American Scientist, Alexander Agassiz, from the Harvard University of Comparative Zoology. This was one of the earliest specific studies of the reef and the story is told in a paper by Agassiz entitled A Visit to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia in the Steamer Croydon a copy of which is held by the James Cook University in Townsville. The paper contains a photo of Langford Island.
During the Embury expeditions to Hayman Island, Monty Embury held
a special lease (SL8350) for ten years from 1 September 1934 over Langford
Island. However following a review of the lease in 1936 it was revoked in 1938
and the island declared a national park.
The Information on the Whitsunday Islands is reproduced by kind permission of Mr. Ray Blackwood from his book: " The Whitsunday Islands An Historical Dictionary ".
Please visit his site here. It is well worth the time!