Imagine freezing winds. Imagine a blizzard. It’s December 1786. This is Lovells Island. A passenger boat carrying thirteen souls crashed just offshore. They were so close to Boston Harbor. The boat sank within swimming distance. All aboard made it to shore. But without shelter or warmth, eleven froze to death.
Lovells Island is a 62-acre island. It sits within the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. It’s named for Captain William Lovell. He was an early Dorchester settler.
One man, Theodore Kingsbury, survived the night. He was taken to the hospital. He was pronounced dead there. Two victims, Miss Sylvia Knapp and her fiancé, were found. They were holding each other for warmth. They were atop a boulder. It’s now dubbed Lovers Rock.
The Massachusetts Humane Society built lifesaving huts. This was in November 1787. These huts lined the harbor and coast. One stood here on Lovells Island. This was the country’s first “hut of refuge”.
Lovells Island has seen many owners. In 1767, Charlestown deeded it to Elisha Leavitt Jr. He was an infamous Tory. Leavitt also owned Grape Island. He invited British forces to take his hay. Patriots later chased them off. Leavitt’s payment for Lovells Island funded the town’s school.
Native Americans once used Lovells Island. They fished, gardened, and traded. Later, people harvested timber here. It served as a fishing station. It was a home for Boston Light keepers. It even became a rabbit run.
Lovells Island also housed range lights. These were the Lovells Island Range Lights. Later, it became a buoy tending station. This was in the early 20th century. The island was fortified before and during World War I. You can still see remains of Fort Standish, active 1902-1946.
The island’s vegetation has an interesting history. In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps tried to create a natural forest. This was largely cleared during World War II when the fort was reactivated. After the war, the island recovered. Now, you can find poplar, pine, and spruce. Staghorn sumac, black cherry, and gray birch also grow here. Common shrubs include bayberry, beach plum, and Virginia rose.
Today, Lovells Island is popular for camping. It has picnic areas. You can walk trails through dunes and woods. There’s even a non-supervised swimming beach. A shuttle boat runs to Georges Island on weekends and summer weekdays. From there, you can catch ferries to Boston and Quincy.
Take a moment to reflect on Lovells Island. Think about the shipwrecks and the lives lost. Consider the island’s military past. Remember the efforts to restore its natural beauty. Lovells Island offers a blend of history, nature, and recreation. It invites exploration and remembrance.