Destruction Island, Protected island off Jefferson County, Washington
Destruction Island is a protected island off the coast of Washington that rises steeply from the Pacific Ocean with rocky cliffs and rugged terrain. A lighthouse stands on the island and can be seen from Ruby Beach nearby.
A Spanish explorer named the island in 1775 after a tragedy when some of his crew members died while attempting to land. This incident gave the island its lasting name and dark reputation.
The Hoh people traditionally came to this island to hunt rhinoceros auklets, which were a vital food source for their community. This hunting practice was part of their connection to the coastal waters for generations.
The best way to see this island and its lighthouse is from Ruby Beach, which sits along a nearby scenic road. Plan your visit around daylight hours since viewing from the shore is the only access option.
This island earned its notorious reputation partly from a series of shipwrecks that occurred in a single year during the late 1800s. Multiple vessels met their end on the rocky shores in what became a dangerous stretch of water for passing ships.
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