the benefit and accommodation of His Majesty's governors." This gave
rise to its present name. At various times the island served as sheep farm,
a quarantine station, a race track, and a game preserve, in addition to
harboring the governor's "pleasure house."

Although the Assembly in 1703 authorized the raising of funds to build
fortifications on the island, none was erected until the urgencies of the
Revolution compelled General Israel Putnam, with a thousand men, to
build them as defense against the British. By the time of the War of 1812
the fortifications were considered to be of such military strength that ob-
servers believed they forestalled the threatened British naval attack on
New York City.

During the Civil War, 1,500 Rebel prisoners were held in Castle Wil-
liams, and a great number of troops were stationed on the island—the
records mentioning seven regiments as being on duty at one time. In
1863 draft-rioters unsuccessfully tried to storm the island while the troops
were guarding the Subtreasury in Wall Street.

By 1900 the area of Governors Island had dwindled from about 170
acres (its size during the Dutch occupation) to 70 because of wave ero-
sion. The land was replaced with earth dug from subway excavations and
dredged channels, so that today, with 173 acres, Governors Island has
more than regained its former size. On the recovered land more than
seventy buildings were constructed during the World War, and even a
temporary railroad was built.

Today such excitement as the peaceful island knows is created by dress
reviews and competitive sports, to which the public is invited. Most popu-
lar are boxing, basketball, football, and polo.

Ellis Island

Ferry leaves South Ferry Barge Office daily at 9:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Visiting
daily, except Saturday and holidays, 10-n a.m., 2-3 p.m. Pass from U. S. Depart-
ment of Labor, Immigration and Naturalization Service, required; telephone WHite-
hall 4-8860 in advance.

Ellis Island is the headquarters of District No. 3 (southern New York
and northern New Jersey) of the twenty-two Immigration and Naturaliza-
tion Districts into which the United States is divided. It lies about one mile
southwest of the Battery in Upper Bay. Its shape is that of two parallel
rectangles joined by filled land at their western ends, but separated for the
most part by a narrow rectangular basin which contains a ferry slip.