Watkins Island

Watkins

Watkins Location in Antarctica
Geography
Location	Antarctica
Coordinates	66°22′S 67°05′W / 66.367°S 67.083°W / -66.367; -67.083Coordinates: 66°22′S 67°05′W / 66.367°S 67.083°W / -66.367; -67.083
Archipelago	Biscoe Islands
Length	8 km (5 mi)
Administration
Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System

Watkins Island is a low lying, ice-covered island 5 miles (8 km) long, lying 3 miles (5 km) SW of Lavoisier Island in the Biscoe Islands. The island was first mapped by the French Antarctic Expedition under Jean-Baptiste Charcot, 1903–05 and 1908–10, but remained unnamed until resighted by the BGLE under Rymill, 1934–37. He gave the name Mikkelsen Island after Ejnar Mikkelsen, Danish Arctic explorer. In applying the name, Rymill was unaware of the existence of Mikkelsen Islands 75 mi (121 km) southwestward, named in 1908–10 by Charcot. To avoid confusion of the two, the UK-APC recommended in 1952 that the Rymill naming be amended. The new name, Watkins Island, commemorates Gino Watkins, leader of the British Arctic Air Route Expedition, 1930–31. A new feature, Mikkelsen Bay, has been named for Ejnar Mikkelsen.