Bentinck Island is situated between Cape Calver and Race Rocks in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, approximately 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Sooke and 11 miles (18 km) southwest of Victoria, British Columbia. The island was likely named by Captain George Vancouver in 1793 in honor of William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, the 3rd Duke of Portland. The Duke served as Prime Minister of Great Britain in 1783 and again in 1807.

Bentinck Island served as a leper colony beginning in 1924, after the federal government closed the lazarette on D’Arcy Island. Bentinck was chosen for its proximity to medical quarantine facilities. The colony operated until 1957, when the last person affected by leprosy died. In 1954, the Department of National Defense acquired ownership of the island. Today, Bentinck Island is used as a demolition range by the Canadian Armed Forces.

On October 15, 1925, the Holland America cargo ship Eemdijk ran aground on Race Rocks. It was refloated on October 19 and subsequently beached on Bentinck Island. Tragically, the tug Hope and its crew of seven were lost during the salvage attempt. Read more here and here. Explore more of Bentinck Island and Cape Calver here: