The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-07-03
ISLANDS ARE
DISAPPEARING
N CHESAPEAKE:
At a Rapid Rate According to
Report by the Geological
Survey.
,f,,, e, = ~, ,. p, -


So accustomed have we become to
false rumors of the disappearance Of
islands or the sinking Of portions of
a seacoast, at the time of earth
quakes or volcanic disturbances,
that we are inclined to regard all re-
ports off,. such phenomena with
skepticism. That certain Islands
and headlands in Chesapeake Bay
are being destroyed at "a startling
rate, not by any catastrophe force OF
nature. but by. the ordinary action Of
waves and currents, Is demonstrated
in short report just published by
the United States Geological Survey.
Erosion and Sedimentation in Ches-
apeake Bay around the Mouth OF
Choptank RIVER,
This report is the result of a com-'
parison OF. a portion Of two separate
Topographic and photographic sur
|yeys of Chesapeake Bay made by the
United States Coast and Geodetic
Survey. one in 1S47-4S and a second
over half century later In 1900
1901. A third supplementary topo-
graphic survey of part Of the area
studied was made in 1910 by. the
author of the report, ]. Fred Hunter,
together with G. g. Yates, Of the
Coast and Geodetic Survey. The res
suits Of the work, are of unusual in
terest, because they give, accurate
quantitative data on the amount, and
rate of erosion and sedimentation in
a representative area. of the bay. The
most interesting feature of the study
Is the rapid destruction Of the three
islands at the mouth Of Choptank
river. OF these, Sharps Island, which
a generation ago was a summer re-
sort and a, favorite hunting ground.
besides supporting a enumber Of FAM
lilies throughout the year, is today
deserted and almost barren, Of, Life.
Its 43S,acres of 1913 had, dwindled
to 81 by 1900,t while at the time OF
the most recent survey. in 1910, the
island contained but So acres its
north shore having suffered the phe-
nomenal loss of ITO feet year dur
ing the period from 1900 rton 1910.
Calculations by Mr.. Hunter indicate
that the island will be entirely eff
faced before 1850. James Island,
which lies south OF, Sharps Island.
decreased in size from 976 acres in.
184Sr to 400 acres in 10 10 awhile to
the north iTIlghman Island, which
supp ortss many prosperous farmers
and fishermen, was reduced from 81
f051 acres in 1S47 to. 1856. acres in
1900, and is: no wsurrendering APP
proximately six acres each year to
the seas. On Sharps Island the site
OF an, artesian we'll has been trans
crossed by the waves so that ii. now
presents the unique feature of a
we'll located in the bay The map of
1901 showed that the only remainder
of the north end of, the James Island
of 1S4S was q small island situated
on the spot which was formerly an
arm of an inlet but which later be-
came filled with marsh material.
That the water in the midst of. land
In 1S4S should become land in the
midst OF water in, 1901 Is q remark
ablel result of the greater resistance
of the marsh-built land. r
Practically all the erosion has
been on the west and north sides OF
the islands, which are most open to
the attack of the, southerly bay cur
rents and the westerly winds and
their waves. No building up of land
Is going on within the area studied.
although farther south extensive del
Ia deposits are being laid down. wa !,
This report forms Professional
Paper Bob and may be obtained
from the director Of the, Geological
Survey. Washington, d. C.
II 81 3 Il