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01/16/2007: "Should Battleship Island May Be Re-named "Morse Island"?"

In 1925 a survey team working in San Juan County was told the name of a small island (now a State bird sanctuary) located just north of Henry Island was "Battleship Island", because "a warship had once fired a gun salute to it". The survey team duly labeled the small three acre island as such on their survey, and went on about their business.

But according to the seven hundred strong members of the Morsed Society, Naval records in D.C., and the Northwest National Archives in Seattle indicate that "Battleship Island" had been named for William H. Morse, US Navy, 1841, when the Brig PORPOISE conducted an exploring expedition in the early 1800's.

The Morsed society has requested the name be changed back to Morse Island, stating "The Navy named it…so just change it back".

In response to the request, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names sent a letter to Mr., Stafford-Ames Morse of Seattle, informing him the request would be processed, but pointed out that "Even thought a feature had a different name historically, the existing name often has become well established on maps and in the literature, and changing it (even to the historical form) can be confusing".

The next step is for the US Board on Geographic Names to "seek the recommendation of the county government", pointing out that "the most important policy is local use and acceptance"

If you would like to comment on the proposed change, you may contact

WASHINGTON STATE BOARD ON GEOGRAPHIC NAMES
P.O.Box 47030,
Olympia WA 98504-7030 ,

A simple statement "In favor of"; Opposed to"; or "Have no objection to" the proposed change may be made, and the public is also encouraged to explain the reasons for their statement if they so wish.