The American Cyclopædia (1879)/Long Island Sound

LONG ISLAND SOUND, a large body of water lying between Long Island and New York and Connecticut, about 110 m. long, and varying from 2 to 20 m. in width. On the west it is connected with the Atlantic by a strait called the East river, New York bay, and the Narrows, and on the east by a narrow passage called the Race. The principal rivers flowing into the sound from the mainland are the Housatonic, Connecticut, and Thames. It is in the route of a very large and important trade between the city of New York and the eastern states, and is navigated by many regular lines of packets and steamers. There are numerous lighthouses on its coasts.