Carpenters Island (St. Mary's County, Maryland) facts for kids

Carpenters Island was a small island that used to be in St. Clement's Bay, which is part of St. Mary's County, Maryland. This island is now considered one of the "lost islands" of the Chesapeake Bay.

What Was Carpenters Island?

Carpenters Island was a piece of land surrounded by water. It was located at the very top, or "head," of St. Clement's Bay. This bay connects to the larger Chesapeake Bay, which is a huge body of water between Maryland and Virginia in the United States.

How Did It Get Its Name?

The island was officially claimed, or "patented," in 1847. This means that a family, the Carpenters, gained legal ownership of the land. The patent was given to Susan E. Carpenter, Amanda Carpenter, Rebecca Carpenter, and Matilda Carpenter. It was officially recorded in the name of William Carpenter.

How Big Was the Island?

When it was patented, Carpenters Island was quite small. It measured about one and three-quarter acres. This size included the land itself and the waters right around it. To give you an idea, one acre is about the size of a football field without the end zones. So, this island was a bit bigger than one football field.

Why Is It a "Lost Island"?

In 2005, Carpenters Island was put on a special list of "lost islands" in the Chesapeake Bay. An island becomes "lost" when it disappears, usually because of erosion (when land is worn away by water) or rising sea levels. Over time, the land that made up Carpenters Island was likely washed away or covered by the bay's waters.