Hall Island

Hall Island in Detail.

3.5 mi NW of Saint Matthew Island. 5 miles long.

The early Russian hunters called this island "O[strov] Morzhovoy' (Tevenkov, 1852, mpa 20) meaning "walrus island." The Russian Hydrographic Department Chart 1427 called it "O[strov] Sindsha" probably for Lieutenant Sind, its alleged discoverer, in 1764. Commodore Joseph Billings and Lieutenant G.A. Sarichev anchored between this island and Saint Matthews on July 14, 1791 (Old Style (O.S.) calendar). On American maps, since 1875, this island has been clled "Hall", presumably for Lieutenant Robert Hall, who was with Captain Billings, or for Cape Hall.