West Coast of Chichagof Island and Yakobi Island

Book 8 · Chapter 14

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West Coast of Chichagof Island and Yakobi Island

Contents

NOAA Coast Pilot figure — Open original at NOAA

This chapter describes the west coast of Chichagof Island and Yakobi Island from Fortuna Strait to Cape Bingham. Also discussed are the numerous bays and coves and an inside passage for small vessels that extends along the greater part of this coast.

 Weather

While these coasts are exposed to the rigors of the Gulf of Alaska, the climate is tempered somewhat by the maritime location. From October through February, winds and waves pound the shoreline creating a hazard to navigation. Swells from distant storms often arrive from southwest while heavy seas are more often out of south and southeast. Gales are encountered about 10 percent of the time in open waters. The maritime influence is evident in the average maximum temperatures, that run in the mid 30s (°F) in winter and minimums which are only about 5° to 7° colder. In winter, temperatures drop to freezing or below on about 80 to 85 days and in summer usually remain below 70°F. Extremes range from just below 0°F to about 80°F. Precipitation is plentiful year round, particularly in October, November and December. Reduced visibilities are a problem in June, July and August and also in winter; poor visibilities in winter often occur in snow.

 Chichagof Island

The west coast of Chichagof Island has a general northwest direction for about 38 miles from the west end of Klokachef Island to Cape Cross, and then the coast trends north for 10 miles to Yakobi Rock. The main shore is formed by , which has numerous mountain peaks. From Klokachef Island to Khaz Bay the 100-fathom curve is about 13 miles offshore. The 50-fathom curve is about 6 miles offshore, and inside of that distance the soundings are irregular and less than 50 fathoms, except a narrow pocket with depths of 50 to 101 fathoms, which extends about 5.5 miles southwest from Khaz Bay entrance. From the entrance of Khaz Bay to Cape Edward, the coast is formed by numerous islets, rocks and breakers that prevent a close approach to the shore.

An inside passage for small vessels extends along the greater part of this coast. From Salisbury Sound this route leads north through Fortuna Strait and then outside to Khaz Bay. Small craft sometimes enter Slocum Arm through Piehle Passage, which is close west of Khaz Head. From Khaz Bay the route leads through Ogden Passage and Surveyor Passage to Portlock Harbor, thence through Imperial Passage to the outside coast. Small craft can take the shorter route from Khaz Bay, passing through Ogden Passage and Kukkan Passage and Bay. Small craft with local knowledge can leave Portlock Harbor by Dry Pass. From Portlock Harbor to Lisianski Strait the route leads outside, thence through Lisianski Strait and Inlet to Cross Sound.

This entire coast has been surveyed and is shown on a series of large-scale charts; all known dangers are charted.

 Fortuna Strait to Point Slocum

separates Klokachef Island from Chichagof Island. The southeast entrance is between ledges that extend west from Chichagof Island and , which extends south from the east end of Klokachef Island. A shoal marked by kelp, with a least depth of 2¼ fathoms, is 0.5 mile north from the east end of Klokachef Island. A rock, with ½ fathom over it and marked by kelp, is about 600 yards from the north shore on the west side at the entrance to Leo Anchorage.

Fortuna Strait is used, especially by small craft, when bound to Khaz Bay from Salisbury Sound.

, on the northeast side of Fortuna Strait, narrows at the head, where there is a stream and small flat. The anchorage affords a fair shelter from north winds, but it is not recommended in south weather. With south winds there is less swell near the west side. The anchorage is near the middle in 15 to 20 fathoms or for small craft near the head in 5 to 7 fathoms. The bottom is hard with sticky patches.

Point Slocum is about 3.5 miles north-northwest of Klokachef Island. A bare, flat rock, about 30 feet high, is about 200 yards south-southwest of the point; inside the rock a boat landing can be made in ordinary weather. A breaker is about 0.5 mile west of Point Slocum. An isolated breaker is about 0.6 mile south from this point.

 Khaz Head to Kimshan Cove

, a bold, bluff headland, particularly noticeable from southwest, is about 7 miles northwest of Klokachef Island and about 4 miles north-northwest of Point Slocum (). It is the northwest end of , a rugged peninsula between Slocum Arm of Khaz Bay and the sea.

, the southwest point of Khaz Head, shows from the southeast as a conical hill. It is about 2.8 miles northwest of Point Slocum. The shore between these points forms a shallow bight in which there is much foul ground as well as numerous breakers. Breakers extend about 0.8 mile west of Khaz Point. A rock, awash at high water, at the end of the reef that extends south from the point, is used as a landmark by local motorboats that keep close inshore. The surf shows on this rock at all times.

is entered close-to, west of Khaz Point, and leads among the rocks and islets west of Khaz Head to Slocum Arm. This passage is extensively used by small craft with local knowledge but is difficult for strangers. The entrance at Khaz Point is closed by breakers in heavy weather. Good protected anchorage for small craft can be had in the bight at the northwest end of Khaz Head on the southeast side of Piehle Passage. Anchorage can be selected at the head of the bight in 8 to 10 fathoms, mud and gravel bottom.

From Khaz Head a chain of numerous islands, rocks and reefs, some wooded and all generally low, extend about 3.4 miles northwest to Ramp Island and Deuce Island, at the entrance of Khaz Bay.

is on a bare rock about 2 miles west-northwest of Khaz Point and almost 1 mile from the nearest islet to the east.

, marked by a lighted whistle buoy off the west side, are the outer dangers in approaching Khaz Bay from south and are on a reef about 1.4 miles west of Middle Breaker.

are the southernmost bare rocks on the west side of the entrance to Khaz Bay. They are two in number, about 250 yards apart. Outer Rocks are distinctly darker than the rocks to the north, mound like in appearance and can easily be identified by strangers.

is the highest of a group of small islands about 3.2 miles northwest of Outer Rocks. It is the only wooded island of the group and forms an easily distinguishable landmark. Two bare rocks are about 0.8 mile west of Black Island. A group of bare islets and rocks extends 0.8 mile south of Black Island. Breakers extend 2 miles west of the island.

are two outlying large white rock islets, about 2.2 miles north-northwest of Black Island.

Inside the lines joining Outer Rocks, Black Island, White Sisters and Cape Edward are numerous bare rocks and reefs, but the four mentioned are the most prominent and easily recognized.

, about 11 miles northwest of Klokachef Island, is 2.2 miles wide at its entrance between Ramp Island () and Outer Rocks, and extends north about 2 miles to Quit Point. Here it divides into an extensive system of inland passages that extend east, north and west and connects with the sea northwest of Cape Edward, through Kukkan Bay and Portlock Harbor.

The entrance, marked by a lighted whistle buoy off Khaz Breakers, is wide and has deep water but is difficult to recognize because of the many islets and bare rocks. In the entrance are a number of breakers that show except at high water with an exceptionally smooth sea and help shape the course in daylight and clear weather. Once in the entrance, vessels should have no difficulty in going into Slocum Arm or through Ogden Passage to Kimshan Cove. Klag Bay is difficult except for small vessels at slack water.

, about 1.1 miles northeast of Outer Rocks, covers at high water and is generally marked by a heavy breaker.

, small, about 100 feet high and scantily wooded, is the westernmost of the islands on the east side of Khaz Bay.

is the northwesternmost wooded island on the east side of Khaz Bay and is about 0.5 mile north of Ramp Island. At its northwest end is a round bald knob. , about 0.5 mile north-northwest of Deuce Island, is marked by a buoy.

is the south end of the southernmost of the low wooded islands on the north side in the entrance to Khaz Bay and is about 1.2 miles northwest of Deuce Island. The end of the point is bare, and at the timber line is about 90 feet high. This island is somewhat higher than others near it and from most points shows as two knobs. The south knob is the larger and higher, with a saddle between. A bare, rocky islet is about 0.3 mile west of Quit Point, and there is foul ground, generally marked by breakers, between this islet, Quit Point and about 0.4 mile southwest of the point.

, west of Quit Point and Gray Rock, is an entrance to Ogden Passage from Khaz Bay. Its north end has rocks above and under water that constrict the channel to about 200 yards. Because it generally has heavy swell, the channel should be avoided except possibly at low water with a smooth sea. Smooth Channel is the better entrance to Ogden Passage.

, bare and 15 feet high, is about 0.3 mile east-northeast of Quit Point and is the easternmost of the bare rocks that extend 0.2 mile east from the island. It is an important mark for entering any of the arms.

, the best entrance to Ogden Passage, is protected from the ocean swell by a chain of wooded islands and ledges. From north of Guide Rock it extends in a northwest direction, with depths of 7 to 33 fathoms. Smooth Channel also forms the approach to Klag Bay and connecting bodies of water. South of in 20 to 25 fathoms is an excellent anchorage for vessels up to 250 feet long. With heavy southwest swells some of the turbulence enters the anchorage, but not enough to make it unsafe.

, 7 miles north of the entrance to Khaz Bay, is wooded. It stands out from the higher mountains farther inland and is the most prominent one near the coast.

extends southeast from Khaz Bay. Its southwest side is formed by the mountainous Khaz Peninsula terminating west at Khaz Head and by the chain of wooded islands that extends 3.4 miles northwest from that head to Deuce Island. The arm is free from dangers, with the exception of a rock, bare at half tide, 300 yards from the northeast shore.

, northeast of Khaz Head, extends northeast from Slocum Arm and is constricted in places by islands and rocks. At its head is an expansion about 0.8 mile in diameter, from which arms extend southeast and northwest. The southeast arm has some islets and a flat at its head; there is anchorage for vessels northwest of the islets in desired depths up to 15 fathoms. The northwest arm has anchorage for small craft at its head in 6 to 15 fathoms. Small craft can also anchor in , the cove north of the north point at the entrance to the northwest arm, in 5 to 8 fathoms; a ledge bare at half tide is close to the north side of the cove.

The entrance to Ford Arm is marked on the southeast side by a group of small wooded islands that should not be approached closely. Two miles inside the entrance on the southeast shore is a projecting point.

, 1.4 miles southeast of Ford Arm, extends northeast and narrows to 350 yards at its head. In 1998, shoaling to 12 fathoms was reported in the center of the entrance to the arm in about A rock with 1 foot over it is 0.4 mile inside the bay, in the middle. Favor the northwest shore for 0.5 mile from the entrance to avoid this rock and then keep in midchannel. The depths in the wide part of the arm are 22 to 25 fathoms. A good anchorage is in an expansion above a point on the northwest side 1.5 miles from the entrance in 11 to 14 fathoms, soft bottom.

, about 1.8 miles southeast of Falcon Arm, is identified by a large waterfall about 1 mile above its head. Two bights are at the head; the east one dries and the west one, which has 4 to 11 fathoms, affords anchorage for small craft.

, about 4.5 miles southeast of Falcon Arm, has several islands in it near the shore. The anchorage is in the southeast end of the cove in about 16 fathoms. Favor the southeast point of the cove when entering and avoid a flat that extends about 300 yards from the north shore of the anchorage.

On the southwest shore of Slocum Arm, opposite Island Cove, is a small point with a wooded knoll 80 feet high. Anchorage for small craft is in the cove west of this point in 6 to 10 fathoms.

, on the northeast side 6 miles southeast of Falcon Arm, has depths of 12 to 32 fathoms to the flat that extends 700 yards from its head.

Good anchorage is 0.5 to 0.6 mile from the head of Slocum Arm in 16 to 18 fathoms. A flat extends about 0.2 mile from its head.

, at the head of Khaz Bay, is cluttered with islands, and the shores are foul especially on the east side behind the islands in the bay. The two entrances to the bay lead through narrow crooked channels, with foul shores and strong currents, which are difficult except for small vessels at slack water. Strangers should enter at low water slack when the dangers will show above water or be indicated by kelp.

The main entrance is through , which has its entrance 1 mile north of Guide Rock. It has a depth of 4¾ fathoms and a width of 50 yards at its narrowest part, between a daybeacon on the east side of Vorota Island and a rocky 1-fathom shoal 20 yards off a sparsely wooded islet on the east side of the entrance. A 008° unlighted range marking the centerline of the channel clears the 1-fathom shoal.

is the west entrance to Klag Bay. The west part of this passage has a midchannel depth of 2¾ fathoms and is constricted in places to a width of about 75 yards by kelp-marked shoals.

The two entrance channels merge north of The Gate and the channel then continues through Elbow Passage around the south and east sides of . The pass west of Klag Island is almost blocked at the north end and is suitable only for small boats and launches. North of Klag Island the bay is comparatively clear, though there are a number of islands in it.

 Anchorages

Anchorage can be found in the bay above Klag Island in depths of from 3 to 20 fathoms.

 Currents

It is reported that the currents in Elbow Passage, south of Klag Island, are strong and the passage is navigable only near the time of slack water.

Ice forms in Klag Bay early in January and is a hazard to navigation through February and most of March.

 Caution

The last of the ebb sets out of Elbow Passage west with great velocity through the west entrance, forming heavy swirls, and passage should be attempted only at slack water, preferably low-water slack.

has its entrance through a narrow channel from the east side of the north end of Elbow Passage. There is anchorage at the south end of the lake in 6 to 15 fathoms. About 1.1 miles northeast of the entrance a ledge with bare heads extends to midchannel from the east side; the channel is northwest of it. At the north end of the lake is an anchorage in 5 to 12 fathoms. Lake Anna should only be entered by those with local knowledge because of its narrow entrance and extreme currents, except at slack water.

is joined to the northeast end of Lake Anna by a narrow, foul passage 0.5 mile long. Passage should be made at slack water only. It is reported that slack water occurs about 2½ hours after slack water at Sitka and that the currents reach a maximum strength of about 12 knots. The south end of this lake is only 200 yards from Ford Arm and about 300 yards from , a small bay at the northeast end of Khaz Bay, with low land between. The lake is reported to be deep, with good anchorage in the coves. The lake should be navigated with caution.

Khaz Bay is connected with Portlock Harbor by Ogden Passage and Surveyor Passage and is a navigable route for small vessels. Another route, partially protected, leads from Ogden Passage through Kukkan Passage and Bay to South Passage, which is the south entrance to Portlock Harbor. This route is recommended for small craft only. Rough Channel and Smooth Channel have been described previously in this chapter.

is entered from Khaz Bay through Rough Channel or Smooth Channel, the latter being the best. From Klag Bay it can be entered through the west part of Elbow Passage. The depths in Ogden Passage are generally good and the dangers are charted, but several narrow passages and sharp turns make its navigation difficult for large vessels. The bottom is generally rocky, and the only good anchorage is in Kimshan Cove.

is a steep, grassy rock, about 35 feet high, and is the outermost of a small group of islets in the east side of the passage.

, about 0.6 mile southwest of Frog Rock, is a flat, grassy rock about 10 feet high and is part of a long submerged ledge. It is marked by a daybeacon and is in the entrance to Kukkan Passage which leads through Kukkan Bay to the sea, north of Cape Edward.

In 2003, a dangerous submerged rock was reported in Ogden Passage about 300 yards west of in

, and are wooded islets that are at the junction of Ogden Passage and Surveyor Passage. A daybeacon marks a reef with ½ fathom over it, which is on the northwest side of the channel between Fitz Island and Dippy Island. Boats passing between the daybeacon and Fitz Island should give the daybeacon a berth of at least 75 yards to avoid the reef. A submerged rock is in the middle of the channel west of Port Island, making it unsafe.

, East of Fitz Island, has depths of 6 to 11 fathoms. Anchorage can be selected anywhere in the cove, being careful to avoid the pile ruins of a wharf on the southeast side of the cove.

 Surveyor Passage to Black Bay

is the passage that extends from Portlock Harbor to Ogden Passage northwest of Kimshan Cove. Many submerged rocks are in the passage. A daybeacon marks a reef that uncovers about 7 feet on the northeast side of the passage 0.4 mile southeast of Lydonia Island. A rock awash is 50 yards off the northeast shore in the narrow part of the passage about 0.5 mile southeast of the daybeacon. is a wooded island in the northwest end of Surveyor Passage. The channel west and south of the island is foul, and large vessels always use the east channel.

, marked by a daybeacon and which uncovers about 5 feet, is in the main channel north of Lydonia Island. The area between the reef and the island is foul ground.

extends for 1.2 miles east from Surveyor Passage and has two islands obstructing its entrance. The best passage into the bay is between Point Lydonia and the northernmost of these islands, although small boats can pass between them. The shoreline is steep and rocky except at the head where there is a large sand and gravel flat. Strong winds draw through the bay from the head, and it is not recommended for shelter.

 Currents

The currents in Surveyor Passage are small. The flood enters the passage from both ends and meets in the vicinity of the entrance to Black Bay.

 Kukkan Bay to Cape Edward

is between Edward Islands and Herbert Graves Island and immediately north of Pole Point (). It is poorly protected and is used only as a passage into Ogden Passage through Kukkan Passage. The principal entrance is north of Edward Islands, but vessels can also enter south of these islands. Kukkan Bay is connected with Ogden Passage by and is used by fish packers of about 12-foot draft at all stages of the tide; however, the spot shown as 2 fathoms, on the north end of the shoal area off Pole Point, breaks in heavy weather and may have less than 2 fathoms on it. It should be avoided by all vessels. , on the south side of the bay, is a bare, bluff point with high, wooded land behind it. is a bare rock 12 feet high in the middle of the entrance to Kukkan Passage.

extends south from the northwest end of Kukkan Passage and affords a protected, although intricate, passage for small boats along the coast. The north end of the passage is foul and should not be used without local knowledge. The islands west of Tawak Passage are called the . is a deep, narrow passage leading from the south end of Tawak Passage to Ogden Passage.

are two groups of prominent, wooded islands, on the west side of Kukkan Bay, about 0.8 mile south of Cape Edward. Foul ground extends for over 0.5 mile west of these islands. A brown, bare rock, 16 feet high, is 1 mile south-southwest from Edward Islands.

, on the west point of , is about 2.6 miles north of White Sisters. A rock, bare at high tide, is about 0.5 mile west-southwest of the cape, and there are submerged rocks 300 yards north and 500 yards east-southeast of this rock. , on the east side of Cape Edward, is exposed to the south and is of no importance.

 Portlock Harbor to Zhilo Cove

is formed on its seaward side by Hogan Island and Hill Island. is almost flat topped and timbered with scrubby growth. The shoreline is very steep and rocky, with practically no sand beach except for small coves, which are unfit for beaching any size boat. is well timbered except in the northwest section, which is almost a flat plateau sparsely wooded with scrub spruce. The highest point of the island is near the center. , on the south side of the harbor, is sparsely wooded except for a high, wooded hill on the east part, which is a prominent landmark. The west half of the island is low and rolling with numerous small lakes and swampy areas. , on Chicagof Island east of the harbor, is a prominent landmark and the highest mountain in the vicinity.

Portlock Harbor is used chiefly by boats going through the inside waters to Ogden Passage. It has three entrances from the sea: South Passage, Imperial Passage and Dry Pass. Imperial Passage is used by most vessels, although South Passage is equally good. Dry Pass is foul and is used only by small boats.

is between Cape Edward and Point Hogan, which is the south point on Hogan Island. Reefs extend for 0.3 mile south from Point Hogan.

, between Hogan Island and Hill Island, is the main entrance into Portlock Harbor. The group of islands off the northwest side of Hogan Island form a good landmark; the outer ones are grass covered and the inner ones have a few trees. Two reefs, awash, are 500 yards west of the center of the outer islands. The north side of Imperial Passage is marked by Hill Island Light (), 60 feet above the water, and shown from a square frame with a red and white diamond-shaped daymark on the south end of Hill Island.

, a bare rock 20 feet high, is in the passage about 500 yards east of the light, and there is a shoal that extends 150 yards south of this rock, with a least depth of 1¾ fathoms. Several shoal areas are off the entrance to the passage where a heavy sea will break.

 Anchorages

Anchorage can be found in Portlock Harbor about 300 yards northeast of , in 7 to 18 fathoms, rocky bottom. Anchorage can also be had at the junction of Goulding Harbor and Dry Pass in 15 to 18 fathoms. Most of the bays making off from Portlock Harbor are too deep for good anchorage.

has its entrance on the east side of Portlock Harbor 0.7 mile north-northeast of . Between submerged rocks and reefs on each side, the entrance is deep and clear. A 6-foot waterfall at the head of the bay can be seen from the entrance. Good anchorage can be had near the head of the bay in 5 to 16 fathoms, mud bottom.

extends north for 2.1 miles from Portlock Harbor. Two small, wooded islands on the west side of the entrance are joined by a reef that bares. East of these islands the entrance is clear.

, at the northwest end of Portlock Harbor, has two branches. is the north branch. The northeast branch terminates in a shallow cove, bordered with sand and gravel flats. With local knowledge it is possible to take launches of 4 feet or less draft to the head of the cove where a large stream empties into the bay. Small craft can anchor near the flat at the head of the cove. Soundings taken at the entrance to the northeast branch show a depth of 1 fathom on a reef of considerable size that extends from the south point of the entrance to the arm.

, the north passage from Portlock Harbor to the Pacific Ocean, is north of Hill Island. For 0.4 mile from the west end, the pass is less than 0.1 mile wide and is foul. A narrow channel with depths ranging from 3 to 10 feet passes between rocks at the entrance and to the south of a rock in midchannel, 0.1 mile from the west end and to the south of a small rocky islet near the north shore, 0.1 mile from the east end of this section. The pass then expands into a basin, with a group of islets at the southwest end.

Anchorage in Dry Pass is reported in the cove on the north shore back of a large island in 6 fathoms, sticky bottom, and also in the cove on the southeast shore in 4 to 7 fathoms.

From the northeast side of the basin the pass continues in a northeast direction for about 0.5 mile and then turns southeast to Portlock Harbor.

The coast from Imperial Passage to Lisianski Strait is very irregular and characterized mainly by bold cliffs, rocky beaches, and many small islands, inlets and bays. The immediate shoreline and larger islands are well wooded, but the rolling country back from the beach are stretches of open marsh with lakes or tidal lagoons. Two or three miles inland the mountains rise to elevations of 2,000 to 3,000 feet and are generally bare above 1,200 feet. , about 1.8 miles to the north of Mirror Harbor, which is 4.3 miles north of Hill Island Light, is timbered to an elevation of about 1,600 feet and appears dark against the peaks beyond. As seen from the south it shows cone shaped with a shoulder 220 feet lower that extends to east. Mount Douglas, a rounded double peak, is about 1.5 miles east from Mirror Harbor.

 Dangers

There are many outlying rocks and breakers along this coast and many rocks and shoals extend north from Cape Dearborn. Several rocks are south of Skinner Island, and several submerged rocks are south from Porcupine Islands.

, the west extremity of Hill Island, is a bold bluff about 80 feet high and has several small rocky islets close-to.

is 1.5 miles north-northeast from Cape Dearborn. , the north point of the entrance, is 1.5 miles north from Cape Dearborn. The entrance to the bay is wide and clear, except near the shores, and has a depth of about 11 fathoms decreasing to 2½ fathoms near the head of the bay where it is foul.

,, , and form a group about 1.7 miles north from Cape Dearborn. Fern Rock, and a rock awash midway between the two are 270 yards north of Grace Island. , the bight east and northeast of this group, has depths of 3½ to 15 fathoms.

is 2 miles north of Cape Dearborn. is north of Fleming Island and has depths of 3 to 4 fathoms in the middle. In 1972, the harbor was reported to be a good anchorage for small craft with excellent protection and holding qualities, soft bottom. The channel leading to the harbor is between Fleming Island and the group to the west. It is intricate, narrows to about 10 yards and in places has depths of about 1 fathom. Local knowledge is required for safe passage.

is the south point of Fleming Island, and is 275 yards southwest from Point Shultz. In 1972, a ledge reportedly covered about 10 feet was reported to extend east about 200 yards from Fairway Rock. Passage west of the rock was recommended. , north of , is foul, but limited anchorage for small craft is available.

is the largest of the outer islands of the group on the west side of the entrance to Mirror Harbor. A rocky islet is 300 yards west and breakers and foul ground extend 0.8 mile southwest.

Caution Pass is close east of Skinner Island. It is used by small local launches going to Bertha Bay.

, an open bight about 0.9 mile wide at the entrance, extends in a north direction from Skinner Island. The bay is rocky at the head and is very foul; it affords little protection from the ocean swell. Even small boats must keep over 600 yards from the shore to avoid rocks and reefs. and two U.S. Forest Service buildings are on the northeast side of the bight. Small craft usually anchor in West Arm, and users of the White Sulphur Springs follow a trail, about 0.5 mile long, to the springs. Local knowledge is advised.

is a prominent bare rock, about 1.4 miles west of , the westernmost of the Porcupine Islands.

, so named from the shape of the outer one, are about 1.2 miles west of the entrance to Bertha Bay and about 1 mile offshore. Extensive bare ledges prolonged by breakers extend 0.5 mile south from the islands. is the largest of the group. Two rocky islets are about 0.5 mile north of Porcupine Islands. A submerged rock with 2½ fathoms over it and showing a breaker in a moderate sea is about 300 yards northwest of the rocky islets.

extends north from Porcupine Islands. On its northwest side are numerous inlets, most of which have shoal water and rocks at the entrances. Ilin Bay and Porcupine Bay branch off from the north end.

is about 0.3 mile in diameter and has general depths of 8 to 12 fathoms. A wooded island, 90 feet high, is in the west part of the entrance. The entrance southeast of this island is clear. The entrance northwest is shoaler and narrower. A waterfall at the east end of the bay shows from the entrance. The harbor affords protected anchorage.

, narrow, rocky and suitable for small craft only, has its entrance 0.5 mile west of the entrance to Porcupine Bay. An anchorage in 8 fathoms, mud bottom, is in the upper half of the bay, but this anchorage is exposed to the south. A more protected anchorage is in , behind the islands, on the east side of the bay in 3 to 4 fathoms, mud bottom. The south and west entrances between the islands leading to this anchorage are foul, but the north entrance at the head of the bay is clear.

 Lisianski Strait to Bingham Cove

, between Yakobi Island and Chichagof Island, about 11 miles long and from 0.2 to 0.8 mile wide, follows a general north-northeast direction and connects Lisianski Inlet with the Pacific Ocean. The waters throughout the strait are generally deep, but the southwest entrance is foul. From the southwest end north-northeast, the strait is clear until 1.2 miles to the southwest of the junction with Lisianski Inlet, where there are two small islands; the north is grass covered with a lone tree on it, and the south is rocky and wooded, with several rocks close-to. A light is about 100 yards south of the south island. Kelp extends from the islands to the Chichagof Island shore.

From the southwest entrance the land presents a succession of low, wooded hills, gradually rising to sharp rocky peaks.

The south entrance channel to Lisianski Strait is about 125 yards wide, with a reef on the east side with 2½ fathoms over it, and rocks on the west side. Favor the west side, especially if the current is ebbing, because there is a southeast set then.

 Currents

Outside the rocks and reefs at the south entrance the current floods to the north and ebbs to the south. Near the entrance among the rocks, on the ebb, a set to the southeast has been experienced. Tide rips are encountered here, with an ebb current against the wind. Swirls are formed in the vicinity of Esther Island, and the current has been reported to exceed 3 knots at times. From Esther Island to about 0.5 mile to the south of the islands near the north entrance the current is slight; swirls and eddies are formed 0.5 mile to the south of the islets. Along the islets a current of 0.5 to 2 knots floods to the north and ebbs to the south. North of the islets the current is small. In the vicinity of Miner Island currents are 0.5 to 2 knots. Eddies and swirls occur between Miner Island and Chichagof Island. The currents from Cross Sound and Lisianski Strait appear to meet in the vicinity of Miner Island. An ebb current of 0.5 knot from Stag Bay has been experienced.

, on the west side of the south entrance, is low and wooded, with a background of high mountains. Two wooded islands are within the entrance close to the point. Rocks and reefs, bare at various stages of the tide, extend for 0.5 mile in a south direction from the point.

, about 1 mile south of Point Theodore, is awash at high water; a bell buoy is moored about 200 yards southwest of the rock.

, the east point of the south entrance to Lisianski Strait, is low, flat and timbered; it has a small sharp knob near the south end. Rocks and foul ground extend about 1.4 miles off the point; the most prominent is Porcupine Rock. Submerged rocks and rocks awash at high water are about midway between Porcupine Rock and Point Urey. , a conspicuous triple-headed rock, is 0.4 mile southwest from the point.

, about 0.8 mile west from Point Urey, are two bare rocks; the east rock is longer and wider. Small rocks and foul ground practically surround Urey Rocks. Kelp extends to the shores of Chichagof Island and Esther Island.

, just within the entrance, is heavily timbered. Near the middle of the island on the east side is a bight that almost cuts the island into two parts, and during storm tides the seas almost wash across. The east shore of Esther Island is on the west side of what is known locally as the Inside Passage. Rocks extend for about 0.5 mile north-northeast of the north end of Esther Island. Lisianski Strait Light 2 (), 53 feet above the water, is shown from a square frame with a red triangular daymark on Esther Island. The light, most brilliant on the bearing 044° and diminishing in intensity around the remainder of the horizon, marks the southwest entrance to the strait.

is a small-boat anchorage northwest of Point Urey. Midway in the entrance is a small steep island that is covered with trees. In entering, pass close to the island, leaving it to south. When clear of the island, pass in midchannel and anchor near the head of the cove in 5 to 6 fathoms, sticky bottom.

, about 1.4 miles north of Point Urey, furnishes anchorage for small boats in 4 to 5 fathoms, sticky bottom. The anchorage is small, about 250 yards wide. It has two entrances, known locally as the North Pass and the West Pass; both are narrow. At low water North Pass bares for a short distance while West Pass has about 1 foot at its shoalest part. At the seaward end of West Pass is a heavy growth of kelp. A good supply of water will be found on the east side of the cove. Lumber Cove and Canoe Cove are connected at high water by narrow .

, about 1 mile above the light on Esther Island, affords anchorage for small vessels in 11 to 17 fathoms, mud bottom. The anchorage is about 300 yards wide. Midway between the entrance points is a rock that uncovers 5 feet and is marked by kelp during the summer and fall. Water may be had at the head of the arm near the end of the cove.

is on the east side of Lisianski Strait, 6 miles from the south entrance. The shores are steep and precipitous, the land rising rapidly on each side. The slopes are timbered to an elevation of about 600 feet and to an elevation of about 1,000 feet with a scrub growth above that the entire country is generally barren. About 2.5 miles from the entrance on the south side is , a prominent peak, which from the entrance shows steep on the north side near the summit, with a shoulder on the south side. At the head of the bay is an extensive tide flat; the greater part of it bares at lowest tides and the approach is very steep. Depths within the bay at the center range from 27 fathoms at the entrance to 41 to 73 fathoms inside.

Along each shore are mountain streams at the mouths of which banks have been formed that extend offshore for 100 to 150 yards. In entering follow midchannel courses. There is an anchorage at the head of the bay off the flats in 40 fathoms, with restricted swinging room; this anchorage is not recommended.

A nickel exploration camp is at the mouth of , on the west side of Lisianski Strait, about 1.6 miles southwest of its junction with Lisianski Inlet. The camp consists of three prominent buildings and a small-boat float about 60 feet long. In 1976, a depth of 6 feet was reported alongside the float. A shoal at the mouth of the creek is marked by a daybeacon.

, at the south side of the junction of Lisianski Strait and Lisianski Inlet, is marked by a light.

, at the junction of Lisianski Strait and Lisianski Inlet, is separated from Yakobi Island at high water by a channel about 100 yards wide. It is heavily wooded and surrounded by kelp.

, a small wooded island marked by a light, is in Lisianski Inlet about 0.5 mile off the Chichagof Island shore and 0.9 mile southeast of Miner Island.

A rocky ledge extends about 200 yards north from Junction Island; kelp extends about 50 yards beyond this. Two rocks, each covered ¼ fathom and marked by kelp, are about 0.2 mile and 0.5 mile north of Junction Island.

is densely wooded in its lower part but contains many high, bare, mountain peaks. The south and north parts of the island are low; the interior and east parts are high. The west coast of the island is broken by many islands and off-lying rocks into numerous bays and bights, forming frequent shelter for small craft.

, about 1 mile northwest of Point Theodore, is the outermost and largest of the numerous small islands, mostly wooded, that are between Point Theodore and Squid Bay. The middle of the island is marked by Greentop Island Light (), 79 feet above the water and shown from a monopile with a red and white diamond-shaped daymark. Close-to northeast of Greentop Island is , which extends in a northeast direction. Enter the harbor north of Greentop Island, passing north of the two large islands and the small elbow-shaped island. Favor the north shore of the harbor, being careful to avoid the rock near the north shore.

 Anchorages

Secure anchorage may be had in the harbor in 4 to 7 fathoms, mud bottom, about 0.3 mile from the head. A large anchorage is on the east side of the harbor. This anchorage has a depth of 5 to 8 fathoms, mud bottom, but there are rocks that bare in the entrance, and caution is required in entering. The other passages among the islands are foul and should not be attempted except by very small craft with local knowledge.

is about 2.5 miles northwest of Point Theodore and about 1.3 miles north of Greentop Island. The anchorage here in 5 to 17 fathoms, soft bottom, is exposed to south. The entrance is clear and is bounded to southeast by the high, wooded shoreline and to the northwest by a large area of foul ground that extends to Point Satchrun. All vessels should keep well away from this foul area. In entering, favor the southeast shore.

, bold and wooded, is on the southeast side of the entrance to Takanis Bay, about 3 miles north-northwest of Greentop Island. The point can be identified by a prominent cross of white quartz in the dark basalt that forms the point. This cross is about 40 feet above the waterline and close below the tree line.

has its entrance close west of Point Satchrun. Several narrow arms make off from the bay in various directions. The bay is exposed to the south, but small craft can usually find protected anchorage in its branches. The long narrow arm at the head of the bay is clear but has too limited swinging room for anchorage. The west half of Takanis Bay is foul and should be avoided.

 Anchorages

The usual anchorage for small craft is in the northwest branch, which contains a small, wooded island near its head. There is ample swinging room south of this island in 6½ fathoms, mud and rock bottom. Very small craft anchor north of this island, which affords more protection but limited swinging room, the best approach being east of the island.

Small craft with local knowledge sometimes anchor in the lagoon east of the upper end of Takanis Bay. The entrance is in the east shore of the bay, about 1.2 miles north of Point Satchrun, and is through a long, narrow arm about 25 yards wide, between bold cliffs. The tidal currents through this arm are very swift, and this passage should not be attempted except at high-water slack and with good local knowledge. Anchorage exposed to the south can be found in the middle of the bay in 8 fathoms, mud and rock bottom, about 0.5 mile above the large flat rock on the east side of the bay just inside the entrance.

, the southwesternmost extremity of , is about 5.2 miles northwest of Point Theodore. The point is comparatively low and wooded and identified by a high, rocky islet 0.2 mile off the cape, on which is a prominent clump of trees. Two large, bare islets are north of this islet and are connected at extreme low water. Foul ground extends for 500 yards west and for 300 yards south of the islet.

Between Takanis Bay and Cape Cross are numerous small islands, some of which are wooded. With local knowledge small boats can pass among these islands, but there is much foul ground and there are no protected anchorages. , the outermost island about midway between Cape Cross and Point Satchrun, is bare and has a conspicuous white top that forms a prominent landmark. Foul ground and breakers extend almost 1 mile south of the cape.

Between Cape Cross and Surge Bay the coast is rocky and broken with numerous large rocks close to shore. The 20-fathom curve follows the coast at a distance of about 0.5 mile, outside of which there are no dangers. Off Surge Bay, however, the 20-fathom curve extends for more than 2 miles offshore, and there are several 8- and 9-fathom spots from 1 to 1.8 miles offshore; but there are no dangers more than 1 mile off the general coastline. Two miles north of Cape Cross is a large bight. Considerable kelp is found here, and there is no protected anchorage even for small boats in the main part of the bight. A rock with less than 2 fathoms over it is reported in the southwest part of the bight in about A bell buoy is about 0.2 mile southwest of the rock. In the south part of the bight, east of the large wooded island, is an inner bight called . It is entered only on the upper half of the tide. Vessels should pass south of the large wooded island. Sheltered anchorage may be had in either the north or south arm of Deer Harbor in 4 to 7 fathoms, mud bottom.

Surge Bay, about 4.1 miles north of Cape Cross, is an open bight with numerous rocks and is suitable only for small vessels with local knowledge. The small bights on the east side of the bay are open west. The only protected anchorage for larger vessels is at the extreme north end of the bay, the passage to which leads among numerous small islands and rocks. In about the center of the bay is a high rocky islet, with two grass-covered knolls on it, which is the best mark for the bay. The best entrance to the bay is south and east of the islet; the entrance north-northwest of it is through kelp, and in west weather breakers extend clear across the entrance.

Surge Bay Entrance Light (), 65 feet above the water, is shown from a steel post with a red and white diamond-shaped daymark on a small islet marking the south entrance to Surge Bay.

From Surge Bay to Cape Bingham (), the coast is very broken with many off-lying rocks and islets. Most of the coves among these islets are foul, and there are no protected anchorages for large vessels. There are no dangers that extend more than 0.5 mile off the outermost islets.

Yakobi Rock is about 0.6 mile west of Cape Bingham and is the farthest offshore of the numerous rocky islets in the vicinity.

Hoktaheen Cove, a small, open, and exposed cove about 1.2 miles south of Cape Bingham, is suitable only for small craft, and local knowledge is required for its entry. A small timbered knob is about 0.3 mile south of the south shore of the cove, and two somewhat sharp knobs are 1.5 miles south of the cove.

Bingham Cove, requiring local knowledge to enter, is on the south side of Cape Bingham. The cove is open to the west but has a well-sheltered south arm. It is reported that local fishing boats use Bingham Cove as a foul weather anchorage.

For planning, not navigation. Verify current information before departure.