SAINT CLEMENT'S ISLAND

also called Blakistone or Blackiston's Island, islet (40 acres [16 hectares]) in the Potomac River, St. Mary's county, southern Maryland, U.S., just off Colton Point. The first Maryland settlers under the Calverts (Barons Baltimore) landed there from the ships Ark and Dove on March 25, 1634. A large cross (erected 1934) marks the site of the arrival of these Roman Catholic colonists and of the celebration of their first mass prior to their founding of St. Mary's City. Mementos are in the St. Clement's IslandPotomac River Museum, on the mainland at Colton Point. The island is a state park. Pop. (1980) 326.