New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-06-21
NAMES OF MAINE ISLANDS.
Many of Them Come from Physical Char
acteristics.

zanror Ne Jine % (SpeciaD.-Summer visitors
70 Maine often marvel al the peculiar names OF te
islands that scattered along the coast ana are
curious as 70 the origin and meaning of many OF
,r,a cancellations While seemingly strange. these
names sre ir nearly every instance altogether ap-
,ropriate and often graphically descriptive
R,,therford's Island was named for the first min
lister who established parish in Bristol ana 10
whom the town gave the island in payment of ar
rears in salary Heron Island was until recent
Years the home Of vast numbers Of these BIRDS
which came annually and made their nests IN the
.an pines and spruces along the shores KAN ISL
and was once the home of fighting buck which
disputed the right Of any one TO land there. Fish
Hawk Island was once the favorite resting place
ST those keen eyed foragers of the sea
ree,-fl,s Limb Devils Rock and Devils Elbow are
50 named because OF evil characteristics or sug-
..sti,e formations Hog Island once inhabited
lv many swine which wild and lived on mice
sd Snakes which then plentiful there
sfolse Island was infested by countless numbers
81: these lit;le rodents-a wood species. origin IN
..ovrn found on islands lying far off the coast
gsis species Of mice never enter human habita-
,.an Squirrel lslanG was once the summer home
= large colony Of gray squirrels which annually,
;u June came down from the inland woods to the
seacoast. just human being now do Red sQuir-
rels are found on most of the islands. and are a
great bother to visitors as they prefer 10 build
their nests in cottages rather than in trees
Haddock Island named because oil great
catches of haddock in the surrounding waters. The
Old Man and The Old Woman were named by
fishermen who fancied that In these two rocky
islets they a resemblance 20 an aged couple
in loving companonship. Harpoon Island is so
called from the fact that ancient harpoon was
once unearthed its shore. hillickstone Island
gets its name from the fact that its beach Is
strewn with stones of the right weight and sha Pc
for fishermen's anchors Hungry Island Is very
barren place. and Gull Island the nesting
place OF great focs of beautiful seagulls The gulls
were killed in thousands. and their eggs gathered
for food until the United States Government put q
yton TO IL High Island is very lofty; Cow Island
was formerly used pasturing place, the cattle
being carried 10 and from the mainland in scows:
Thief Island is so-called because famous robber
was captured there.
Various derivations given for the name OF
Monhesan. but the coast people are satisfied thst
It comes from the observation Of an Indian chief
who upon finding that some early voyagers who
had landed upon the island had left exclaimed;
.-A5an-he-eonet~ The Bush Island got its name
from two bushes that for many years were as
1;nctly visible from the sea: Old lump rom ~, us
resemblance 2 humpback whale. Inc tSpoCIlteS
from their deceiving lodges Hatchet Island from
a stone axe found there. Fort Island from re
refuge from Indians: Gangway Island from rocky
formation upon its shore resembling the sahs"aH
The name Of Sequin Island. off the mouth Of the
Kepnebec. is said TO have originated from an on
seTvation of Mogg. chef OF te Sal!I9 si4 {l
Indians who discovering that the "httt llli f
tants trying TO escape 10y SecfelIis ,9
in q cave, exclaimed; See-eo-ln- feaNeI lsidiIg 5
is named for British man-o1-MdI Jlat aiiCii'.i =
behind il and shelled the fort at PeInaqld- n
White Islands are named from their hlSh pIuIIS
of feldspar that glisten in the sun. SOME IoCnS
isles OF Roothbay are called The Motions. because
IN any weather. at all stages OF the Iue- NY
seann 10 ne agitated. and actually in motion ne
TE-.rbt,ovl IS = great sea rock resembling IN Its
formation an indispensable toilet article tlsher-
mems Island has always been a 1aNorl'e resort