172PERIL STRAIT AND THE APPROACH TO SITKA
The usual approach to Sitka is through Neva and Olga Straits. They are
entered from the north either via the offshore route into Salisbury Sound, or
via PeriI Strait from the inside waters of South East Alaska. Salisbury Strait
is apen to the acean on the west, while PeriI Strait and Neva Strait lie on the
western end of the sound. Thus, the straits are slightIy protected while the
sound is open to the prevailing wind and sea conditions.
The outer route leads south from Khaz Ba)' into Salisbury Sound. Make
certain that the course is clear of the many rocks that lie off the coast,
where the swell breaks heavily to warn of danger. One such danger is 01ga Rock
which lies about l 1/4 miles west of Klokachef Island. Once past DIga Rock and
Klokachef Island the course can be altered to enter the sound. There are two
anchorages that can be useful while waiting to enter PeriI Strait.
Kalinin Bay is on the south side of Salisbury Sound and indents the north
shore of Kruzof Island. The entrance is wide at first -- the west si de should
be favored to avoid the rocks off Sinitsin Island. The inlet narrows and bends
and a mid-channel course should be followed from the bendo Rocks lie off the
shores at the narrowest part of the bay but the opening is sufficiently Iarge
for small vessels. At half tide or Iess the rocks are visible but a float marks
a submerged rock on the west side. A good anchorage is at the head of the bay.
Sukoi Inlet, at the entrance to Neva Strait, provides another anchorage,
though one must go in about 3 miles. This inlet is actually a narrow strait
between Kruzoff and Partofshikof Islands. The head of the inlet is shoal and
very narrow. The sketch shows the position of the anchorage well out past the
shoal area at the outlet of the smaii creek.PeriI Strait is the most frequented route to and from the inside waters and
Sitka. It is about 39 miles from the entrance off Chatham Strait to Kakul
Narrows and Salisbury Sound. The frequent twists in the channel and strong
currents make it essentiai that proper navigational charts are used. Charts
Nos. 17323 and 17324 cover PeriI Strait, Neva, and Olga Straits for the raute
into Sitka. This passage is straightforward except for the short section at
Whitestone Narrows where a range is in pIace to guide one through the dredged
channel. Many wel1 placed lights and markers lead past Starrigaran Bay (where
the ferry terminaI is Iocated), Sitka Rocks, and on to Sitka.For an easterly passage through PeriI Strait enter Kakul Narrows slightly
before low water slack to arrive at Sergius Narrows (about 3 1/2 mi1es a10ng)
just at or before slack water. Passage through the narrows is then simple
except for heavy traffic -- therefore good judgement and a sharp lookout are
essential. If one does not have t~e current tab1es, the ti de turns from south
to north about 1 3/4 hours before low water at Sitka, and from north to south
about 2 hours before high water at Sitka. Though Kakul Narrows is affected by
tidai swirls it is easier to pass than Sergius Sarraws.Anchorages on the east side of Sergius Narrows can be found at Deep Bay,
and a less suitable one in Bear Bay. Enter Deep Bay between the green day mark
on Grass Top Rock and a big island northeast of it, keeping closer to Big
Island. Thereafter use mid-channe1 and anchor about a mi1e past the entry
marker, staying weI1 clear of the shoal area that fi11s the head of the bay.