Talk:Clipperton Island

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These two statements:

1,120 km southwest of Mexico, at 10°17' N, 109°13' W.
It lies about 965 km from Tejupan Point on Mancanilla Bay, Mexico,

are contradictory. I'm also drawing a blank on those two names given: Tejupan and Mancanilla (somewhere in Guerrero, presumably).

Most Internet hits agree with the first figure. I've also got another (printed) source that says "1248 km SW of Acapulco", but that seems too far. (And, astoundingly, my printed 1991 Britannica says 1300 miles!)

Unless someone can calculate an exact figure, I'd be inclined to change those claims to "1120 km SW of Acapulco", which appears to be the consensus figure and gives a point of reference that's likely to be familiar to most readers, or at least locatable on a map. –Hjr 01:35, 23 Dec 2003 (UTC)

History & Ledgends

Here is some very interesting information...

Clipperton originally sailed under Captain James Cook on his voyage of discovery. It was on this voyage that Clipperton discovered Clipperton Island in 1705 in the eastern Pacific, 900 miles off the coast of Mexico.

It is said that Cook named the island for him and granted it to him. Clipperton later became a privateer, serving as mate under Captain William Dampier and later became captain of the Success under a different privateering syndicate, in which he also held under his command Captain George Shelvocke of the Speedwell.

In his activities attacking Spanish targets on the west coast of the Americas, he used Clipperton Island as a base from which to stage his attacks and store loot and supplies, fortifying Clipperton Rock and expanding its cave network.

On the voyage around the Cape, he dallied in the islands there hoping that the Speedwell, which had been separated from the Success in a North Atlantic storm, would catch up. When the Success departed the area, Clipperton left two men marooned as punishment on the same island which Alexander Selkirk (who was the basis of the Robinson Crusoe story) had been marooned on years before.

History Changes?

Is the 'History' part correct ?

This site (http://www.clipperton.fr/incagen.html?oublies.htm~main) says there were 11 survivors (and not 5 as the article says). As there is also a picture of the survivor, it looks like wikipedia is wrong. Note that the story from the linked site would imply that there were no murders of women (all 3 survived).

External link

There is a tremendous amount of information available on the island (in french only) from Jean-Louis Etienne's recent expedition (April 5th, 2005). See http://www.jeanlouisetienne.com/clipperton/default.cfm

Regarding the distance, the great circle distance is either 1151km or 1238km SW of Acapulco depending on which great circle calculator one is using.

There is another better Satelite Image from the Spot Satelite at: http://www.spotimage.fr/automne_modules_files/standard/public/p747_imageEnlargedIMAGE_cliperton-new_big.jpg

Nuclear waste

"The French then planned to dump nuclear waste on the island; perhaps fortunately, Mexico and the United States convinced France to not implement that plan."

Cannot confirm this with a source in French; perhaps a legend. David.Monniaux 09:33, 23 May 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Self Depricating Humour

Is the last paragraph really nessesary?

By and large, the french have no knowledge of the Clipperton Island in the first place, let alone use it as a reference for anything, so I guess not.

Magellan

I don't believe Magellan came anywhere close to this island. After rounding Tierra del Fuego, his fleet sailed essentially west/northwest to the Philippines.

I 100% agree. Magellan did not even cross into the Northern Hemisphere until he was WELL West of Cliperton island. Who REALLY discovered Clipperton? It was NOT Magellan!

Image

It looks like there's land in the background and it can't be Mexico. Is it really Clipperton?

>It looks like there's land in the background and it can't be Mexico. Is it really Clipperton?

According to the NOAA it is. The picture can be found here. NOAA Photo Library The land that you see behind the palm trees is likely the far side of the island.

different island?

"In April 1831, John Fitzgerald on his way to San Blas from Callao discovered an island at 18°30′N 114°33′W not shown on any chart." -- This is not the location of Clipperton. What does this sentence refer to and why is in the article? McKay 10:11, 30 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Those coordinates are very close to Clarion Island. --Mathew5000 05:54, 4 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

contradictions

The new addition "Only in 1855 it was claimed by France." contradicts what is said two sentences earlier. Please give citations! McKay 08:08, 5 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The article states the last men died trying to reach the mainland. However, on the Costeau programme on the island, a survivor relates the last 3 men (other than the lighthouse keeper) were trying to reach a passing ship and died in the surf.