140THOMAS BAY
Ten miles north of the buoys at the Petersburg entrance to ~rangell
Narrows, and across Frederick Sound is the entrance to Thomas Bay. This is the
first opportunity to see a glacier fa1rly closely. The entrance to Thomas Bay
lies between Point Vandeput in the northwest and Wood Point in the southeast.
Although the two points are about 2 1/4 miles apart, shoaling and reefs at the
mouth of the bay are exten~ive, thus reducing the opening to a narrow, buoyed
entrance. Depending on the state of the tide, considerable turbulence and
swirls may be encountered at the entrance, but with care in watching one's
course and drift there is no difficulty in entering.
The water here is noticeably milky with glacial silt. The shape of the bay
may be likened to a lazy T, resting on its side. The east side of the cross
arm of the T is a range of peaks, whose flanks descend in steep sides to the
water. Several land slides mark the tree-clad slopes, and severa l waterfalls
can be seen.
The northern arm ends at Baird Glacier. Though nol a tide~ater glacier at
this time, it 1s not very far back from the water's edge, and except far the
lack of ice discharged into the bay it prov1des very scenic views. Do not
approach the end of the inlet closer than half a mile, for considerable
shoaling occurs due to the discharge of silt down the glacial river.
Near the end of the northern arm, a narrow steep-walled inlet leads off to
the east. This is Scenery Cove, a small version of Fords Terror. Almost over-
hanging walls hem the sides, wh1ch shoal quickly at the head. In very settled
weather it i5 possible to anchor on a 9-fathom shelf extending off the northern
entrance point of the cove. Anchor off a prominent scar on the face. One can
anchor there and take a dinghy to the flats below the face of the glacier and
walk up to explore it. However, a better and safer anchorage 1s available in
the south arm of Thomas Bay. Ruth Island lies roughly north- south; on its
50utheastern 5ide are two coves. Both can be used as anchorages, but the
preferred cove 15 the 50uthern one.
Anchorage is also possible close to the shore south of a prornìnent cascade
behind Spray Island. But like Scenery Cove, thìs anchorage has very limited
shelf area close to a steep mountainside.The southern arm of Thomas 3ay has the termiqal. river of Patterson Glacier,
which has receded so far back that its only vis1ble remains are the moraines.Puççin