Washington Strait (60°43′S 44°56′W / 60.717°S 44.933°W / -60.717; -44.933Coordinates: 60°43′S 44°56′W / 60.717°S 44.933°W / -60.717; -44.933) is a passage 3 miles (4.8 km) wide between Fredriksen and Powell Islands on the west and Laurie Island and several smaller islands on the east, in the South Orkney Islands. Discovered in December 1821 on the occasion of the joint cruise by Captain George Powell, a British sealer in the sloop Dove, and Captain Nathaniel Palmer, an American sealer in the sloop James Monroe. Supposedly, it was named for George Washington, first President of the United States.
This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Geological Survey document "Washington Strait" (content from the Geographic Names Information System).
Famous quotes containing the words washington and/or strait:
“You men have proved that PT boats have some value in this war. Washington wants you back in the States to build them up. Those are my orders.”
—Frank W. Wead (1895?–1947)
“We approached the Indian Island through the narrow strait called “Cook.” He said, “I ‘xpect we take in some water there, river so high,—never see it so high at this season. Very rough water there, but short; swamp steamboat once. Don’t paddle till I tell you, then you paddle right along.” It was a very short rapid. When we were in the midst of it he shouted “paddle,” and we shot through without taking in a drop.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)