On February 21 2008, members of A.C.T.I.O.N and Rocking The Boat were invited to participate in a private water taxi rented by the NYC Audubon society. The boat trip was about an hour and half, in that time we sailed on New York City's East River, We were given binoculars so we could better observe the historical sites that exist within New York City. We traveled from Manhattan to the South
Bronx and toured around The Brother Islands. We observed the habitat before Heron nesting season on the abandoned island. We were pre-informed before the bus ride to South Street Seaport from The Point, of the previous history of the Brother islands by Anthony Greene of The Bronx Historical Society. One fact that remains in my head from that trip is what I learned about Typhoid Mary. In the early 20th century she was a cook who was from Ireland. Mary had worked in many homes as a cook, but conincidentaly, everyone she cooked for had gotten very ill and died. After careful investigation of the mysterious deaths, they soon found out of Mary was passing around typhoid through her food. She was sent into a clinic on North Brother Island which was alienated from the communities across the river. She became the cook of the island. Soon after her release she changed her name and traveled away, still carr
ying typhoid. She was never heard from again. Holding on to my binoculars tight and standing strong against the wind of the river I zoomed to the island, non stop chills were sent up my spine. On the island there stood a building, beaten from the harsh weather, which once stood sturdy decades ago. Broken glass and vines wrapped around the building hugging it tight. This building is one of the very few artifacts that hold the memories of the island.
Here is a link for more information on Typhoid Mary:
Here is a link to NYC Audubon to learn more about the birds that use The Brother Islands as a habitat:
