Hangman Island, also known as Hayman's Island, is an island in the Quincy Bay area of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. The island is a barren outcrop of bedrock, with a permanent size of half an acre rising to only three feet above sea level, plus an intertidal zone of a further 5 acres (20,000 m2). Access is by private boat only.[1][2]

The source of its current name has a hazy history. On a 1775, London chart, this island was labeled Hayman's Island and shows a greater area than presently exists. There is no historical evidence that this island was used as a location for hanging criminals. During the American Civil War, targets were placed on the island for artillery practice for troops training at Camp Adams.[3] In 1882, several fishermen built fishing shacks on Hangman Island and were reported to have cultivated a vegetable garden here among the rocks.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Hangman Island Factsheet". Boston Harbor Islands Partnership. Archived from the original on August 26, 2006. Retrieved August 30, 2006.
  2. ^ "Hangman Island Google Map Closeup". Google Maps. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved July 26, 2007.
  3. ^ Quincy Patriot 1861 July-Sept. Thomas Crane Public Library. John A. Green. 1861.((cite book)): CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. ^ "Boston Harbor Islands Comprehensive Plan" (PDF). NPS History Electronic Library. Retrieved January 21, 2022.

42°17′24.25″N 70°58′14.28″W / 42.2900694°N 70.9706333°W / 42.2900694; -70.9706333


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