COMPOSITE GAZETTEER OF ANTARCTICA

NW of Sterneck Island, Hughes Bay, Danco Coast, was sighted by BeAE in January 1898, when it was described as an island with two summits "like the ears of an ass" (Lecointe, 1905, p.73); roughly charted by SwAE (Nordenskjöld, 1917, map facing p.68); sketched by BAE, 1920-22, on 24 March 1922, but incorrectly labelled Cape Spring (Lester, 1920-22b, p.10) or Cape W. Spring (Bagshawe, 1921-22c, p.B.55) (Spring Point, q.v.). Islote Fisher, probably referring to this feature (Argentina. MM, 1953, p.331). Isla Coy [=hammock island], so called descriptively (Argentina. MM chart OO(b), 1954). The island was photographed from the air by FIDASE, 1956-57. Isla José Hernández, so called by AAE after the Argentine poet José Hernández (1834-86) (Argentina. MM chart 128, 1957; Pierrou, 1970, p.452). Islote José Hernández (Argentina. MM, 1957a, p.97). Oliver Island (Bancroft, 1959, p. 103). Islote Mansilla, in error for this feature (Isla Mansilla, q.v.) (Argentina. MM, 1957a, p.97). Following survey by FIDS from "Portal Point", 1957-59, the island was named Midas Island in reference to the BeAE description of the island, Midas, King of Phrygia (fl. c. 700 BC), being depicted in Greek satyric drama with the ears of an ass (APC, 1960, p.6; BA chart 3560, 7.iv.1961). Isla Bofill, so called by CAE, 1960-61, after Tte 1° Luis Bofill de Caso, engineer officer in the expedition ship Yelcho (Chile. DNH chart 1501, 1962; IHA, 1974, p.49).

Island lying NW of Apendice Island in Hughes Bay, off the W coast of Graham Land. First seen by the BelgAE under Gerlache in 1898 and described as an island with two summits "like the ears of an ass." The name, given by the UK-APC in 1960, derives from this description; Midas, King of Phrygia, was represented in Greek satyric drama with the ears of an ass.