Italy Community

✅ 1811 | Sabrina Island That Was Born Off the Coast of São Miguel Island

In the history of the Azores, reports of seismic and volcanic phenomena are frequent. These events are sometimes associated with tragic consequences, including the loss of lives and material goods.

Among these phenomena, submarine eruptions stand out, with various records in the seas of the Azores since the early days of settlement.

Early Accounts of Submarine Eruptions

The first documented eruption occurred in 1538, off the coast of São Miguel Island, in a location “about five kilometers from Ponta da Ferraria, forming an island that lasted only 25 days.”

On July 3, 1628, “a violent earthquake was felt and soon it was reported that a volcanic eruption had occurred in the sea off São Miguel Island, forming a small island that soon disappeared.”

In July 1638, preceded by violent tremors, an eruption occurred again in Ferraria. Flames, rocks, ashes, and sulfurous vapors emerged from the sea, briefly forming another island. A large number of dead fish floated on the surface.

On the night of December 7–8, 1720, the submarine volcano roared again, producing an islet that emitted thick smoke, ashes, and pumice. Lava streamed from its steep slopes, and the sea temperature rose. This island lasted nearly three years.

The Formation of Sabrina Island (1811)

On June 13, 1811, violent earthquakes announced the return of the phenomenon. A new island rose in the same location, 90 meters high and 1600 meters in circumference, with a crater from which hot water gushed. Four months later, it began to vanish. By February 1812, only faint vapor marked the place where Sabrina Island had stood.

Earlier, in February 1811, Thomas Hickling, U.S. Vice-Consul on São Miguel Island, had written to John B. Dabney, reporting over 20 tremors and the eruption of a volcano “five leagues west of this port and half a league from land.” He described:

“To my absolute astonishment I saw a great column of black smoke rising from the ocean.”

That night, “large masses of rock and lava were hurled above the surface of the sea.” But within eight days, it extinguished, leaving only a shoal.

Arrival of the HMS Sabrina

In May and June 1811, seismic activity intensified. On June 10, a powerful submarine eruption began near the coast.

On June 12, the British frigate HMS Sabrina, commanded by James Tillard, spotted thick smoke at sea as it approached Ponta Delgada. The water was discolored and full of dead fish. Upon anchoring, Tillard learned the island had been hit by a seismic crisis, especially in the west.

Undeterred, Tillard rode to Ginetes on June 14 to witness the event up close.

On June 18, the HMS Sabrina sailed to the eruption site. Where charts indicated 40-meter depths, they now saw the top of a volcanic crater. The eruption continued until July 4, when all volcanic and seismic activity ceased. In its place stood a nearly circular island, about one mile in perimeter.

British Claim and Disappearance

With clear weather, Tillard brought the HMS Sabrina near the new island. One of his officers sketched it. A boat was launched, and a landing party rowed ashore. They disembarked on the steaming black sand, walked as far as possible, and:

Commander Tillard and Consul William Read hoisted a British flag to claim the island for His Majesty.

By October 1811, the island had nearly vanished, leaving a large shoal. In February 1812, smoke was still seen rising from the sea near the site.

Sabrina Island had sunk, and the question of ownership was never seriously considered.

I am sharing photos of landscapes, moments and experiences. Nature and sea are the most visited themes in my photo collection, but any attention-grabbing aspect can be photographed. Hope you enjoy it...