Description

The sandhills along much of the Island's
coastline have always been a barrier
to vessels seeking harbour. Before
good roads were built, waterways were
often the main means of transport, and
many communities were thus heavily
dependent upon coastal navigation.
South of Cascumpec Bay, the sandhills
range for 18 miles. The only passage
through them is about midway, an inlet
called Hardy's Channel which allows
ships to reach Milligan's wharf. In May of
1871, on the recommendation of the
influential shipbuilder James Yeo of Port
Hill, William Hardy, then 23, began to
keep a light there. (It is not clear whether
he had a family link with the naming of
Hardy's Channel.)