The naturalist Charles Darwin and Vice-Admiral FitzRoy of the HMS Beagle encountered the Yahgan at this site in 1831.
At the time of European encounter, the Kawésqar lived on the island (they were called the Alcalufe by the Yahgan and the Europeans adopted that term.) They lived west of the Yahgan and throughout the islands west of Tierra del Fuego.
They taught them farming and English, and some of the British party learned Yamana (or Yahgan).
Their father was an Anglican missionary who ministered to the indigenous Yahgan and Ona peoples.