130WRANGELL
Wrangell lies near the north end of Wrangell Is1and. It may be approached
from Clarence and Stikine Straits, up Zimovia Strait, or up Eastern Passage and
around the northern tip of the is1and. Wrange11 has a population of about
2,300. The magnificent backdrop of the Stikine :-1ountains combined Io.'ith the
town's frontier appearance attracts the cruise ships.The main harbor extends along the shore, but the small craft harbor is in a
bight behind Point Skekesti, where a Io.'ooden breakwater extends partly across
the entrance to provide shelter in the southern cove. This cove is divided
into an outer and inner harbor. In the outer harbor the floats on the ""estern
side are used by commerciaI vessels. Fuel docks are also on this side. The
long floats on the eastern side have transient moorage ""hich is almost al""ays
filled -- one can expect to raft up. The harbormaster's office is at the head
of the walkway, a shrimp cannery lies behind il. (Phew!)The inner harbor is approached through a connecting channel having about 2
fathoms, marked by day beacons. The floats in the inner harbor cater to small
craft and pOlo.'er boats. Limited turning room makes this area awkward for large
sailing vesse1s. In 1985 moorage in any part of ~rangell Harbor was free for
24 hours, with a daily fee thereafter.The harbormaster at Wrangell also controls Shoemaker Boat Harbor which lies
about 3 1/2 miles SSE, near Wrangell Institute. The breakwater of the harbor
is visible as one approaches Wrangell, and although it is a cleaner area, its
distance from the town is a disadvantage.Wrangell was originally located at the mouth of the Stikine River because
it controlled the route into the interiore Russian, British, and American
flags ha ve flovn over the town. This was an important trading point for the
Tlingit Indians. On Shakes Island are several totem poles and a replica
communitv Chief Shakes house which can be approached by follo""ing a ""ooden
walkway from near the harbormaster's office. The old false front business
houses along Front Street and other buildings in the streets behind give
evidence of the age of the town. The Visitor's Bureau (near the cruise ship
terminaI at the northern end of the to~n) can provide information on petroglyph
locations and other points of interest.