Chamisso Island is a small island in Kotzebue Sound, Alaska. It is located off Spafarief Bay at the mouth of Eschscholtz Bay, just south of the Choris Peninsula.
The island is roughly triangular. It is 1.4 miles (2.3 km) long and an 0.125 miles (0.201 km) wide. The highest point on Chamisso Island is 226 feet (68.9 m) above sea level.
Chamisso Island has been a Natural Reserve since December 7, 1912. The protected area, the Chamisso Wilderness, includes Chamisso Island and nearby Puffin Island, as well as some rocky islets nearby. Both islands are part of the Chukchi Sea unit of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.
This island was named after naturalist Adelbert von Chamisso, who reached the island in 1816.
Famous quotes containing the words chamisso and/or island:
“There lived a sage in days of yore,
And he a handsome pigtail wore;
But wondered much, and sorrowed more,
Because it hung behind him.”
—Adelbert Von Chamisso (1781–1838)
“We approached the Indian Island through the narrow strait called “Cook.” He said, “I ‘xpect we take in some water there, river so high,—never see it so high at this season. Very rough water there, but short; swamp steamboat once. Don’t paddle till I tell you, then you paddle right along.” It was a very short rapid. When we were in the midst of it he shouted “paddle,” and we shot through without taking in a drop.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)