Sable Island.

Sable Island. a low-lying island in the Atlantic, in 44° N. lat. and 60° W. long., 110 miles E. of the central part of Nova Scotia (and not near Cape Sable, at the south-east corner of Nova Scotia, where there is also a Sable Island). It consists of two parallel sand ridges, with a lagoon between them. Scrubby grass, cranberries, &c. grow on the island, which is so dangerous to navigation, and has so frequently been the scene of wrecks, as to be called 'the sailor's grave.' The Canadian government has since 1873 built three lighthouses on it, with an establishment of some 30 persons, of which two have been swept away and the third undermined, as the island is gradually sinking. Early in the 19th century it was 40 miles long; in 1890 it was reduced to 20 miles: it is to be hoped it may soon utterly vanish. Near it there are sandbanks.