LEAGUE ISLAND

An instant research of a topic under discussion by the 8 am coffee group

at ARBY'S of Wescoat Corner and Five Points 02/12/2019.

LEAGUE ISLAND

League Island WAS an island in Delaware River, was a part of

city of Philadelphia. Located just upstream from the mouth of the Schuylkill

River, the site of Philadelphia Shipyard, eventually Philadelphia Naval

Shipyard , now “ The Navy Yard “.

It is no longer an island since the Back Channel that separated it from the

mainland was closed in on the east to make Mustin Field for military

aircraft but closed in 1963. The western end of the channel is now “ “Reserve Basin “ where the ships of the U. S. Navy Reserve are held.

Source: WIKIPEDIA

LEAGUE ISLAND BEFORE THE NAVY YARD

When Willaim Penn established Philadelphia in 1682 there is no

doubt he sailed around the several islands in the southern Delaware

River of which Petty's Island and Pea Patch still old on. Where the

Schuylkill and Delaware met were Mud Island, Little Mud Island, Hog Island and League Island. Off of League Island were the Horseshoe

Shoals. The ebb & flow of the Delaware has washed away small islands,

Gilbert and Bush. Carpenters and Province evolved into the mainlands.

Mud Island is fort Miffin and hog Island is Philadelphia International

Airport and League Island is the Navy Yard that began in the 1830's,

when a causeway was considered to League Island from Broad Street on the Delaware and piers for coal shipments built on the island.

In 1860 League Island was chosen by the Navy then at the Navy

Yard at the foot of Front Street for a new yard. The new navy yard was

erected in 1871 and remained as such until 1960's when I-95 forever

changed the site of southern Philadelphia on the Delaware.

In 1990's the navy ceased operations at the yard and by 2000 was

once again Philadelphia with many business located there.

Abstract: Pennsylvania Historical Society blog by Joshua Humprreys of

author Cory Hutto. August 22, 2012