Sherman Island

From Encyclopedia Westarctica
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Satellite image showing the location of Sherman Island in relation to Thurston Island

Sherman Island is an ice-covered island of Westarctica about 59 kilometers (32 nmi) long and 19 kilometers (10 nmi) wide, lying south of Thurston Island in the middle of Peacock Sound.

The island is entirely surrounded by the Abbot Ice Shelf, and even though it rises above the shelf, it can not be navigated to by ships. The much smaller Carpenter Island lies 17 miles due east.

Discovery and name

Sherman Island was delineated from aerial photographs taken by US Navy Operation Highjump in December 1946.

The island was named by US-ACAN for Admiral Forrest Sherman, USN, Chief of Naval Operations, 1949–51, when preparations were being made for U.S. Naval support during the forthcoming International Geophysical Year (IGY) operations.

Duke of Sherman

In 2006, shortly after Grand Duke Travis abdicated the throne, his successor, Grand Duke Philip quickly recognized the importance of Westarctica's Minister of the Treasury, Jorge Fernandez Vidal, who at that time held the title Marquis of Williamson. As appreciation for Jorge's services to the crown and nation, Grand Duke Philip granted him the title "Duke of Sherman." It was the only noble title he created during his entire reign.

$1 WAD coin

In 2006, the Central Bank of Westarctica minted two different $1 WAD coins featuring Sherman Island and the Westarctican coat of arms on the reverse with a portrait of Antarctic explorer Roald Amundsen on the obverse. The coins were released with two different metallic profiles: one in copper-nickel with silver plating, the other in copper-nickel with gold plating. The entire mintage of 210 coins sold out in record time for the Central Bank.

Sherman Island gold-plated coin