Nixes Mate

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Nixes Mate, also known as Nixes Island, Nix's Mate and Nick's Mate, is one of the smaller islands in the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. The island is situated some 6 miles offshore of downtown Boston, has a permanent size of 200 square feet, and rises to a height of 10 feet above sea level. A prominent black and white wooden pyramid beacon, resting atop a granite base, increases the island's height to 20 feet. The base was erected by Boston Marine Society in 1805. Currently managed by the US Coast Guard, the island is not open to the public.^[1]

Material was quarried from the island to be used as ship's ballast during the 17th century, and slate was quarried in the 18th century. In 1636, Nix's Mate was granted to John Gallop, a harbor pilot who lived on nearby Gallops Island and used the then 12 acre island for grazing his sheep. In 1726, upon the arrest of pirate chief, William Fly, officials brought him to Boston where he was executed. His body was then gibbetted on Nixes Mate to serve as a warning to sailors not to turn to piracy. Before Fly's execution, he famously scolded the hangman for incorrectly securing his noose. His body as well as those of two other pirates are buried on the island.^[1]