Dougherty is the name of a phantom island that was believed to be located in the southern hemisphere towards Australia. It is named for Captain Dougherty of the James Stewart, an English whaler, who in 1841 reported discovering it at 59°20′S 120°20′W / 59.333°S 120.333°W / -59.333; -120.333. He described it as 5–6 miles long with a high bluff to the northeast, and covered in snow. Dougherty's discovery was confirmed by Captain Keates of the Louise in 1860, giving its coordinates as 59°20′S 120°18′W / 59.333°S 120.3°W / -59.333; -120.3, and by Captain Stannard of the Cingalese 1886, giving the location as 59°21′S 119°7′W / 59.35°S 119.117°W / -59.35; -119.117.
However, thorough exploration of the area in the latest 19th and early 20th centuries established that the island does not exist. Captain Davis of the Nimrod suggested that the most likely explanation was that Dougherty, Keates, and Stannard were all deceived by fog banks or icebergs (none, after all, claimed to have actually landed on the island): "I am inclined to think Dougherty Island has melted."
Famous quotes containing the word island:
“For four hundred years the blacks of Haiti had yearned for peace. for three hundred years the island was spoken of as a paradise of riches and pleasures, but that was in reference to the whites to whom the spirit of the land gave welcome. Haiti has meant split blood and tears for blacks.”
—Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1960)