| Anacapa Island |
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Anacapa is part of the (283 M ). Anacapa is the only one of the Channel Islands to have a non-Spanish-derived name. ''Anacapa'' comes from the Chumash word ''eneepah'', meaning ''mirage island''. East Island's most notable natural feature is Arch Rock, a 40-foot-high natural bridge. On the night of December 2 , 1853 , the Sidewheel Steamer ''Winfield Scott'' running at full speed crashed into the rocks off Middle Anacapa and sank. All of the passengers survived and were rescued after a week. Invasive ship rats (''Rattus rattus'') are thought to have been introduced to the island from the wrecked ship. They had devastating consequences for the island's Seabirds and other native species, but were successfully eradicated in 2001-2002. With the rats gone, the number of rare Xantus' Murrelet s has increased more than 80 percent in the last three years. This is one of many recoveries following invasive species eradications from the Channel Islands. Another invasive species of Anacapa is Ice Plant (''Mesembryanthemum crystallinum''). It was brought in from Africa in the 1950s by the United States Coast Guard to prevent land slippage. The United States Coast Guard built a Light Beacon in 1912 and a Light Station in 1932 ( Anacapa Island Lighthouse ). It was the last lighthouse built by the United States Lighthouse Service . The lighthouse is located on the eastern part of the island, at the entrance to the Santa Barbara Channel. REFERENCES |
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