Kayak Island - Definition

Kayak Island (59°56′03″N 144°22′06″W) is located in the Gulf of Alaska, 100 km (62 mi) SE of Cordova, Alaska Malaspina Coastal Plain.

Named "Kayak" in 1826 by Lt. Sarichef of the Russian Navy, because of the fancied resemblance of its outline to the Eskimo skin canoe. This island, it is believed, was the one Vitus Bering saw and named "Saint Elias" in 1741. Captain James Cook visited it on May 12, 1778, and buried a bottle with a paper and two small pieces of silver given to him by Dr. Kaye, the chaplain of King George III, for this purpose. Because of this, Capt. Cook gave the name "Kaye's Island" to this feature. It was called "Nuestra Senora del Carmen" or "Isla del Carmen," meaning "Our Lady Carmen" or "Island of (Our Lady) Carmen" by Don I. Arteaga about July 16, 1779, for the saint to whom this day was dedicated.

Cape Saint Elias is located on the SW end of the island. Mount Saint Elias, the second highest mountain in the United States and Canada, was likely named after this cape.