The New Student's Reference Work/Ascension Island
Ascension (ăs-sĕn' shŭn) Island. Originally discovered by the Portuguese in 1501 and called Concepcion Island, its rediscovery on Ascension Day, seven years later, procured for it the name it still holds. It is a volcanic origin, 7½ miles long and with an area of 35 square miles, lying in latitude 70 55’ south, longitude 140 25’ west, 700 miles northwest of St. Helena. It came into possession of the British in 1815 and is under the jurisdiction of the admiralty, being used as a depot for coal, stores and provisions for ships on the South Atlantic station. It has been strongly fortified recently, and the discipline of a man-of-war is maintained. The population, including about 160 Kroomen, is 450. Georgetown, on the northwest coast, is the garrison station and there is an excellent sanitarium up Green Mountain. The island is a great resort of sea turtle, as well as of rabbits, wild goats and partridge.