SHEPPEY  , an

island off the Kentish coast of England, included in the north-eastern parliamentary division of Kent . It is the largest of the several low islands which are separated from the mainland by the ramifying creeks about the mouth of the river Medway . The strait isolating Sheppey is called the Swale; it is about 3 M. broad at its eastern end, but narrows to some 300 yds. at the west, where it is crossed on a bridge by a branch of the South-Eastern & Chatham railway, and by a road . There was formerly a ferry here, as there are at two other points . Sheppey is low-lying, with one small elevation slightly exceeding 200 ft. near the north coast, which presents slight cliffs towards the shallow sea . These are frequently encroached upon by the sea, while the flat shore on the south is protected by embankments . Sheppey is roz m. in extreme length from E. to W., while the greatest breadth is about 5 M . ' On the south, narrow branches of the Swale, formerly wider, divide the isles of Harty and Elmley from the main island, of which, however, they now practically form part . Sheppey is for the most part treeless. but very fertile . bearing much grain and fruit; its name, meaning the " island of sheep," is still appropriate, as great flocks are bred . On the west are the port of Queenborough and the naval station of Sheerness . From here the Sheppey light railway runs east through the island, serving Minster and Leysdown, which are in some favour as seaside resorts .

The

London clay, of which the island is composed, abounds in fossils .