Sinclair Island is an island in the U.S. state of

Washington Washington most commonly refers to: * George Washington (1732–1799), the first president of the United States * Washington (state), a state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States * Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States ** A ...

. It is a part of, and lies off the western shore of mainland

Skagit County Skagit County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 129,523. The county seat and largest city is Mount Vernon. The county was formed in 1883 from Whatcom County and is named for the Upper and ...

. The island has a land area of 4.109 km² (1.586 sq mi) and is home to only a few private residents. The name Sinclair was given by

Charles Wilkes Charles Wilkes (April 3, 1798 – February 8, 1877) was an American naval officer, ship's captain, and List of explorers, explorer. He led the United States Exploring Expedition (1838–1842). During the American Civil War between 1861 and 1865 ...

during the

Wilkes Expedition The United States Exploring Expedition of 1838–1842 was an exploring and surveying expedition of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding lands conducted by the United States. The original appointed commanding officer was Commodore Thomas ap Catesby ...

of 1838–1842. It honors

Arthur Sinclair Commodore Arthur Sinclair (28 February 1780 – 7 February 1831) was a United States Navy officer who served in during the Quasi-War, the First Barbary War and the War of 1812. His three sons also served in the Navy; they resigned in 1861, ...

, who was captain of ''General Pike'' during a naval battle of the

War of 1812 The War of 1812 was fought by the United States and its allies against the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, United Kingdom and its allies in North America. It began when the United States United States declaration of war on the Uni ...

. Settlers in the 1890s referred to the island as Cottonwood Island, after the lumber harvested there for making barrel heads and staves.

Notes

References

Sinclair Island: Blocks 1029 thru 1036, Census Tract 9501, Skagit County, Washington
United States Census Bureau Islands of Washington (state) Islands of Skagit County, Washington Islands of Puget Sound {{SkagitCountyWA-geo-stub