Here is a very interesting 1907 map of "Perriwig Bar" in the Duck Island area. In 1907, the newspapers were printed on very inexpensive pulp paper. Over the years, the pages became brittle and "foxed" (brown with age.) The Perriwig Bar is one of the reasons Trenton was never able to sustain ocean going vessels. Over the years, many attempts were made to remove the bar using the U.S. Government's dredges. However, for whatever reason, the project never got off the ground. History records numerous problems with the Perriwig. A number of paddle wheel boats were hung up on the bar. During very severe winters when the Delaware froze over, the Perriwig acted as a dam, preventing the ice from moving down river. Of historic interest is the inhabitants of the area. Sucker Point, Biles Island, Emily Island, and Echo Point are little known areas.

SJBill said...

The upstream end of Biles Creek began just across the river from the north end of the Trenton Marine Terminal, and not far from what used to be the chemical company (was it Stauffer's Chemicals?).

Biles Creek was actually a bogan or backwater that ran behind Biles Island. Not much of an island because the land was mined for gravel and sand back in the 60s.

The downstream end of Biles Creek re-entered the river just across from the docks of the oil companies on Duck Island, below the power plant and at the end of Lamberton Road.

The middle of Biles Creek was filled in, maybe to mitigate the shoaling of Perriwig Bar.

Your map shows what was the north end of Duck Creek - another backwater on the Jersey side, and that was long gone before my time. The south end of Duck Creek met the river not too far down stream, and that just about the finest camping area anywhere for us kids.

We swam, waterskiied, hunted, fished and had some great times in there. The spot where we camped is on the Bordentown side of the creek, just under the north bound lane of Route 295.

Happy Easter, Tom!

Saturday, April 07, 2012

FASCINATING AND INFORMATIVE COMMENTS, BILL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND ALSO A HAPPY AND HOLY EASTER TO YOU AND YOURS.

TOM GLOVER

1948: REMEMBERING DUCK ISLAND

DUCK ISLAND: When I was a young man, the only news articles on Duck Island that I recall related to the many murders and rapes that occurred on that Sycamore lined area of Lamberton Street in South Trenton. I remember it was a "lovers' lane" where young couples parked their car and did what single young couples sometimes did. Unfortunately, many of those "lovers" ended up in the morgue. The area was completely different during daylight hours. Indeed, it was on the Sycamore lined road that I took my motor vehicle test back in the early 1950's.

However, Duck Island has in interesting history as you will see as you read the article above. I had heard about the tobacco farming that once took place on that isolated area of South Trenton. During Prohibition it was also a popular source of horse radish which was a popular speakeasy condiment to those who ate and drank at those illicit and illegal venues.

Anonymous said...

The geology of that landscape is quite amazing. That, and all the land along the main line of the railroad was once part of the Millstone watershed. Duck Island area is where the Millstone entered the Delaware back when the earth was a bit younger. Then there was a drop and the Millstone became a part of the Raritan watershed. It is a pity that the highway has changed it so much. I remember the canal that ran along in the woods by the power plant. You could always find an interesting abandoned car someone pushed in. Last I saw was an MG.

Ed Millerick

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

1930: HAMILTON TOWNSHIP AGAINST ANNEXATION OF DUCK ISLAND

I have read about tobacco culture on Duck Island, as well as a number of goat farmers, but for the life of me I can't find the information. Perhaps it will be found in future searches. Duck Island to many of us over 65 remember it as a "Lovers' Lane" and also as a noted spot for murder. The township of Hamilton had grandiose plans for that little area down Lamberton Street, hoping some day that ocean going vessels would add still another eastern seaport. However the project to deepen the Delaware never came to fruition, and Duck Island remains an area of petroleum storage plants.

1944: DUCK ISLAND MURDERS

THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE NUMEROUS DUCK ISLAND MURDERS WHICH ONCE TOOK PLACE ALONG THAT LONELY STRETCH OF LAMBERTON STREET IN SOUTH TRENTON WHERE LOVERS FOUND A SECLUDED PARKING PLACE.