Cartwright Island

Last updated September 28, 2023

Cartwright Island (also known as Cartwright Shoal) exists as a long, narrow, segmented sandbar, separated from the south end of historic Gardiner's Island, off the coast of Long Island, New York.^[1] An analysis of satellite and aerial photos shows that over time, the segmented sandbar islands continuously move location, sink and reform, shaped and overwashed by tides and storms. The location and shape of any sandbar island on the shoal may differ from that shown on navigational charts. For this reason, the shoal presents a navigational hazard.^[2]

Ownership of Cartwright Island and the shoal is disputed. The Goelet family, the current owners of Gardiner's Island, have claimed ownership of Cartwright since the death of the last surviving Gardiner (Robert David Lion Gardiner) in 2004.^[1]^[3] However, in his lifetime, Mr. Gardiner never made such claim, and to the contrary, stated that the shoal was public property. In 2018 Roderic Richardson challenged the Goelet's assertion of ownership after their security guards confronted Richardson, and members of his family, on Cartwright Island.

The Goelets assert their original 17th Century deed grants them everywhere "an Ox can wade without getting its belly wet."^[1]^[3] Mr. Richardson said there was no mention of any ox in the royal grants, nor of Cartwright Island or the shoal. He also pointed out that a shoal is, by definition, intertidal or underwater land, and so open to public access by New York law and the Public Trust Doctrine. The Goelets accused Richardson of trespass. Judge Steven Tekulsky dismissed the case in April 2020, noting that the charging documents failed to establish that anyone owned Cartwright Shoal, and failed to show that anyone had any authority to prevent Mr. Richardson from walking on the sandbar.

In September 1971 Otis G. Pike put forward a bill that the US Federal government expropriate Gardiners Island, Cartwright Island, Gardiners Point Island, Hicks Island, and 1000 acres of the nearby shore of Long Island, and turn them into a national monument.^[4]

In September 1973 David P. Rumbough disappeared during a boating accident off Cartwright Island.^[5] His friend Jonathan Kieth survived the crash of his 27 foot speedboat. Rumbough was the son of actress Dina Merrill.

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References

1 2 3 T. E. McMorrow (2018-08-21). "Whose Island Is It, Anyway?". Indy East End . Retrieved 2020-09-15. He told the town board that, in the past, when he has asked security guards manning the patrol boats for proof that the Goelet trust has legal control over the shoal, he has been told that there is a 17th century royal grant. 'They told me that the Gardiners own Gardiners Island all the way into the water as far as an ox can walk up to its belly without getting its belly wet. Something I have heard in the past from these security guys. I have always asked them for a deed in the past. They have never been able to produce it. Something that shows me this language that they are telling the public.' He called the ox belly explanation 'a fairytale.'
↑ "3 RESCUED AFTER BOAT CATCHES FIRE ON GARDINER'S BAY". New England boating . 2018-06-13. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
1 2 Ben Kava (2018-08-08). "Man Arrested On Cartwright Island After Taking Down Signs Stands His Ground". East Hampton Press . Retrieved 2020-09-15. Though Gardiners Island has been owned by the family of the same name ever since it was granted to them by British royalty, Mr. Richardson said that he has done extensive research proving that Cartwright Island is not included in that space, and is therefore public land, owned by the people of the State of New York.
↑ Richard L. Madden (1971-09-11). "Gardiner Fights Move To Make Island Public". The New York Times . Washington DC. p. A3. Retrieved 2020-09-18. In addition to Gardiners Island, Mr. Pike's bill would authorize the Federal Government to acquire as part of the national monument three small islands nearby known as 'The Old Fort,' Cartwright Island and Hicks Island, as well as about 1,000 acres of the south shore of Long Island, running from Napeague Harbor to the Atlantic Ocean.
↑ "David Rumbough is missing off Long Island". The New York Times . East Hampton, Long Island. 1973-09-09. p. 60. Retrieved 2020-09-18. Mr. Rumbough vanished about a mile south of Cartwright Island at the bay's southern entrance after the twin ‐ engine racing boat in which he was riding capsized in choppy seas.

41°01′30″N72°06′18″W / 41.025°N 72.105°W / 41.025; -72.105

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[indyeastend2018-08-21-1] 1 2 3 T. E. McMorrow (2018-08-21). "Whose Island Is It, Anyway?". Indy East End . Retrieved 2020-09-15. He told the town board that, in the past, when he has asked security guards manning the patrol boats for proof that the Goelet trust has legal control over the shoal, he has been told that there is a 17th century royal grant. 'They told me that the Gardiners own Gardiners Island all the way into the water as far as an ox can walk up to its belly without getting its belly wet. Something I have heard in the past from these security guys. I have always asked them for a deed in the past. They have never been able to produce it. Something that shows me this language that they are telling the public.' He called the ox belly explanation 'a fairytale.'

[newenglandboating2018-06-13-2] "3 RESCUED AFTER BOAT CATCHES FIRE ON GARDINER'S BAY". New England boating . 2018-06-13. Retrieved 2020-09-15.

[EastHamptonPress2018-08-08-3] 1 2 Ben Kava (2018-08-08). "Man Arrested On Cartwright Island After Taking Down Signs Stands His Ground". East Hampton Press . Retrieved 2020-09-15. Though Gardiners Island has been owned by the family of the same name ever since it was granted to them by British royalty, Mr. Richardson said that he has done extensive research proving that Cartwright Island is not included in that space, and is therefore public land, owned by the people of the State of New York.

[nytimes1971-09-11-4] Richard L. Madden (1971-09-11). "Gardiner Fights Move To Make Island Public". The New York Times . Washington DC. p. A3. Retrieved 2020-09-18. In addition to Gardiners Island, Mr. Pike's bill would authorize the Federal Government to acquire as part of the national monument three small islands nearby known as 'The Old Fort,' Cartwright Island and Hicks Island, as well as about 1,000 acres of the south shore of Long Island, running from Napeague Harbor to the Atlantic Ocean.

[nytimes1973-09-09-5] "David Rumbough is missing off Long Island". The New York Times . East Hampton, Long Island. 1973-09-09. p. 60. Retrieved 2020-09-18. Mr. Rumbough vanished about a mile south of Cartwright Island at the bay's southern entrance after the twin ‐ engine racing boat in which he was riding capsized in choppy seas.

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