1951 Map of St Matthew

About this map

St. Matthew Island and its nearby outliers stand isolated in the central Bering Sea, as documented in this 1951 topographic study. Part of the Bering Sea National Wildlife Refuge, the island's landscape is defined by peaks like Sugarloaf Mtn and prominent coastal features such as Glory of Russia Cape and Cape Upright. To the north, Hall Island is separated by the narrow Sarichef Strait, while the jagged spire of Pinnacle Island rises to the south. These islands are devoid of human settlements, roads, or trails, reflecting a wilderness state where landforms like Bull Seal Point and Elephant Rock serve as the only landmarks. The survey, based on 1948 aerial photography, provides a precise record of the shoreline and volcanic topography of one of the most distant reaches of Alaska.