City Island Harbor is the protected body of water between City Island and Hart Island in the Bronx, New York City, open to Long Island Sound at its northern and southern extremities. It is not a true harbor, but a sound. Other minor islands in and around City Island Harbor include the Chimney Sweeps Islands, the Blauzes, and Rat Island. Green Flats Reef is exposed at low tide.
Every July 4, to celebrate Independence Day, there is a large fireworks show at nearby Orchard Beach. Hundreds of boats typically gather in the harbor to view the show.
On the evening of January 24, 2003, four local boys, 15 and 16 years old, were killed when their 8-foot dinghy sank in City Island Harbor. The boys placed a short phone call to 9-1-1 but no action was taken due to insufficient information. In any case, given the frigid water temperature it is unlikely they would have survived long enough for help to arrive.[1][2][3] Their boat was found in February[4] and all four bodies were found in the harbor a few months later.[5][6]
- ^ "911 Plea Fails Teens Missing in Icy Waters". Los Angeles Times. 2003-01-29. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
- ^ McFadden, Robert D.; Worth, Robert F. (2003-04-27). "Body Found Off City Island Is One of Four Missing Boys". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
- ^ "City Not Responsible For Drowning Death Of Four Teens In 2003, Says Judge". NY1. Archived from the original on 2007-03-22.
- ^ Lueck, Thomas J. (2003-02-02). "Boat Believed Used by Four Lost Teenagers Is Found Capsized Near Hart Island". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
- ^ Buffa, Denise (2005-07-23). "CITY ISLAND 'DROWN' LAWSUIT TOSSED". New York Post. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
- ^ Cullivan, C.J. "Bronx Stroll". New York Press. Vol. 16, no. 21. Archived from the original on 2003-11-01.