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Revision as of 17:04, 25 March 2009 by 69.121.67.135 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)- This article is about the island in New York. For the island in Alaska, see Rat Island (Alaska).
Rat Island is a tiny island approximately half an acre in size located in City Island Harbor which is a part of Long Island Sound, near New York City. It is about halfway between City Island and Hart Island and south of High Island. It is one of The Pelham Islands.
Description
The small irregular island has an odd dual humped appearance and is mostly a lump of Manhattan schist bedrock. There is a small channel that cuts into the bedrock on the southern side of the tiny island that was used for launching small boats. This channel is filled with mussel shells. There is a purple-bluish "beach" made of mussel shells on the west side of the island with some reed grass. The highest point on the island is usually covered in Gull bird guano and is underwater during high tide storms.
History
Rat Island was included in the purchase by Thomas Pell in 1654. In the 1800s Rat Island was used for a typhoid quarantine hospital for about 40 infected people as well as the "Pelham pesthouse" during the yellow fever scares. The remains of cobblestone walls and foundations are still there. It was abandoned due to storm floods. Local legends say there was also a lighthouse for a while. New York City purchased the island in 1888. It was bought by Dr. H.A. Parmentier in 1908. He subsequently leased the island to the Mount Vernon Club in 1931. It was owned by a Brooklyn lawyer until 1972 when it was sold to Red Brennan who still owns it. He said he bought it to do salvage work and store equipment. It is still privately owned. Many local Bronxites falsely think it is owned by the NYC Department of Parks. In Summer months, it may have as many as 30 people on it, mostly fishermen. Some have tents. The Parks Department has waste drums so they may contain their garbage. Sometimes, the local first responders use it to practice rescue missions with boats and helicopters.
For Sale
On March 25 2009 WABC TV Channel 7 Eyewitness News reported that Rat Island was put up for sale for the sum of $300,000. The owner in Florida Red Brennan says there are no rats on the island.
References
- Rat Island p.551, New York City Guide, Federal Writers' Project, 1939.
40°51′18″N 73°46′51″W / 40.85500°N 73.78083°W / 40.85500; -73.78083
| Islands of New York City | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major islands |  | ||||
| Pelham Islands | |||||
| New York Bay |
| ||||
| Jamaica Bay | |||||
| North River (Hudson River) | |||||
| Former islands shown in italics | |||||