It was named in 1885 by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey for United States Navy officer Joseph Coghlan, who commanded the USS Adams during its survey of southeastern Alaska from 1883 to 1884.

The United States Coast Guard District Seventeen, Sector Juneau, searched for Weyhrauch during the night.

A volunteer rescue team from the nonprofit organization SEADOGS located him at approximately 11:00 AM on April 23.

[2] A Federal Aviation Administration non-directional radio beacon is located on the island.

[4] Coghlan Island was noted as the northernmost location of specimens of Triopha catalinae, a type of sea slug.