Cartwright Island facts for kids
Cartwright Island is a small, sandy island located near Gardiners Island off the coast of Long Island, New York. It's a low island made of sand, which means it's not a good place for people to live. The island is connected to Gardiners Island by a long, narrow strip of sand.
Because it's low and sandy, Cartwright Island can be a bit tricky for boats. It's sometimes called a "navigational hazard." This means sailors need to be careful when they are nearby to avoid running aground.
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Who Owns Cartwright Island?
The Goelet family has owned Gardiners Island for a very long time, since the 1600s. They believe that the sandy strip and Cartwright Island are also part of their property.
In 2018, a man named Roderic Richardson visited Cartwright Island with his family. Security guards from the Goelet family told them they were on private land. Mr. Richardson then decided to challenge this claim in court.
An Old Deed and a Modern Question
The Goelets' original deed from the 1600s describes their property in a unique way. It says they own everywhere "an Ox can wade without getting its belly wet." This old description made it hard for the court to decide the exact property line today.
The court process began to figure out where the boundary should be under modern laws. The East Hampton Trustees, a local group, even published a report about the old deed. This report, written by a local historian, said the Goelet family had worked hard to protect their property rights over the years.
Protecting the Islands
In September 1971, a politician named Otis G. Pike suggested an idea. He wanted the U.S. government to buy Gardiners Island, Cartwright Island, Gardiners Point Island, Hicks Island, and some land on Long Island. His plan was to turn all these places into a national monument, like a special park for everyone to enjoy.
Boating Near the Island
Cartwright Island is located in an area popular for boating. In September 1973, a young man named David P. Rumbough disappeared during a boating accident near the island. His friend, Jonathan Kieth, survived the crash of their speedboat. David Rumbough was the son of famous actress Dina Merrill.
