128VIXEN HARBOR
If one travelling to ~rangell by the seenie route which uses Ernest Sound
and Zimovia Strait then Vixen Harbor is a very pretty anchorage to use either
after Meyers Chuek, or as an alternative to it. The entranee is narrow and not
obvious until it is carefully lined up, but it is a well sheltered anchorage
backed by a beautiful mountain.
At Lemesurier Point (the southern point at the entrance to Ernest Sound)
several dangers lie offshore. Lemly Roeks are about 1/4 mile off the point
while McHenry Ledge i5 about 3/4 mi1e east. Strong magnetie disturbances ocCur
between Leme5urier and Cnion Points -- as much as 30 degrees was naticed at the
time of writing. Sinee compass courses cannot be relied on, good visibility i5
needed to be certain of the vessel's course and 10eation. This is especially
true in this area as the current sets towards Union Point.
It is necessary to proceed about 1/4 to 1/2 mile off the coast until the
entrance into Vixen Harbor ean be ascertained. The shallow southern entrance
is more obvious at first. Line up the northern entrance from offshore and
steer earefully through using a mid-channel eourse. The pilot indicates a
width of 100 yards but this may be the distanee betl-;een high water shorelines.
At Iow tide, reefs extending aut [rom both sides reduce the aetuai channel
width to about 60 feet, but the depth is at least 1 1/2 fathoms. Even though
it is more evident, do not attempt the sauthern entrance for shoals reduce it
far more than the main entrance.
Once past the islands and within the harbor it opens up nicely. Anchorate
can be taken in about 4 1/2 fathoms, mud. The views of the mountains to the
southeast are spectacular and the anchorage is peaceful.
On leaving, clear the entrance and set a visual eourse until well clear af
the magnetic effects of the area before re1ying on the compasso Other anchor-
ages in the area include the cove behind ~~gnetic Point and a smaller cove
behind the nearby islands ~here houses have been erected.
Zimovia Strait is a pretty, much used rcule to ~rangell. The Narrows are
clearly marked and are interesting to traverse. ~haletail Cave looks inviting
as ao anchorage, but the entrance is shoal.
Thorne Bay and Snug Anchorage are across Clarence Strait on Prince of Wales
Island. Ratz Harbor i5 about lO miles north of Snug Anchorage on Prince of
~ales lsland. Across from Ratz Harbor on Etolin Island is McHenry Anchorage.
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