Charles and Margo Wood - Charlie\'s Charts North to Alaska

142

HOBART BAY

Cape Fanshawe marks the point where Stephens Passage opens northward off
Frederick Sound. These are wide stretches of sea, where weather conditions can
create rough water. There is an anehorage near the Cape in Cleveland Passage
behind Whitney Island. It is in 6 to 8 fathoms at the southeastern end, tucked
east of East Spit (a rocky shoal awash at low water which projeets out from the
mainland). While the pilot recommends entry [rom the north around whitney
Island, sm3l1 vessels ean enter from the south by keeping a mid-ehannel course
and allowing for a clear berth of East Spit. However, this anchorage is
relatively openi swell affects it and gusty southeast winds often blow down the
nearby mountains.

The course northward passes Five Fingers Islets, on which is a lighthouse

often mentioned in loeal weather reports. This is useful for reekoning the

weather in Stephens Passage. Port Houghton is the first large bay on the

mainland, but being deep it provides no anehorage.

Hobart Bay opens into the mainland about 5 miles further, and at first

appears to be a shallow indentation. It is marked by small islands, The Twins,

two miles west, and by Sunset Island, a larger island about 5 miles north.

Entrance Island lies in the center of the entranee to Hobart Bay. Behind

it a long, high arm projects outwards, almost closing the opening into the

inner part of Hobart Bay. A sland pipe and several visible houses mark a large

logging operation, with snow-clad peaks in the background.

The anchorage and moorage lie in a small L-shaped inlet on the southern

side of Entrance Island. As one approaches the island from either direction a

large fault is visible. On the rocky south shore there is a small niehe with a

house behind the stony beach. This is seen before the true opening is visible.

Turn into the small inlet, where the State maintains a 100-foot float in the

western niche. It is unconnected to the shore, exeept for two underwater

cables that affect the ability of alI but very sma1l vesse1s to use the south

side of the float. The house previously seen on the approaeh is on the neck of

1and behind the float. This is a quiet and restfu1 spot, used primari1y as a

weather lay-over by vessels travelling these waters.

It is possible to enter the remainder of Hobart Ba, through the narrow,

rock-strewn entrance, and to find other a~ehorage immediate1y northwest of the

entry. But the currents and multitude of roeks diseourage sueh exploration

especial1y when the quiet moorage at Entrance Island is avai1ab1e.

There are two other anchorages in this area. Cannery Cove in Pybus Bay is

on the west side of, and across Stephens Passage. When anchoring in Windham

Bay one should anchor in a niche near the entrane e ùr proeeed far into the bay

and anchor at the head.