Charles Island

A Curse, Buried Treasure and More

Charles Island is a 14 acre (57,000 m²) island located roughly 0.5 mile (1 km) off the coast of Milford, Connecticut, in Long Island Sound centered at 41°11’28.32?N 73°03’18?W.

1/2 mile off shore from the of Silver Sands State Park in Milford, Connecticut, is Charles Island. It is accessible from shore via a tombolo (locally referred to as a sandbar), which is exposed at low tide. According to early local histories, the Sachem Ansantawae resided there during the summer months. European discovery of the island occurred in 1614 when Adriaen Block sailed through and mapped Long Island Sound. The island appears on his hand-drawn map found in The Netherlands National Archives.

After the Milford area was settled by the English in 1639 the island was referred to as Milford Island. After Charles Deal bought the island in 1657 it became known as Charles Island. Deal made a failed attempt to raise tobacco on the island – one of the first such efforts in Connecticut.

Milford Connecticut has a piece of land just one mile off its coast that is rich in legend. Pirates, curses, and ghostly apparitions are woven into the thread of this island’s history. Every attempt at inhabiting this island has been short lived and many believe it is because of the curse. There is an approximate 1/2 miles walk from shore to Charles Island at low tide. That rate is covered at high tide. Yes, people that do not stay aware of the tide, becomes stranded on the island.

In 1699, Captain William Kidd, visited Milford while on route from New York to Boston. Legend has this famous pirate burying his iron treasure chests full of gold and gems on Charles Island. He was told that he was to be pardoned by the East India Company on charges of piracy and murder. Misled by this information, Captain Kidd was hung for these offenses in London.

Captain Kidd put a curse on his buried treasure which simply stated harm would come to anyone who tried to dig it up before he could return to claim it. The Island has had many an amateur treasure hunter try their luck at finding the treasure to no avail. This 14 acre island has many unearthed places left to explore for this legionary fortune of Captain Kidds’.

Below is an 11 minute video showing two brave souls that actually walked the island. Much of the video has a feel similar to The Blair Witch Project. Watch the entire video, then you will see what I mean.