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

76

WELLBORE CHANNEL

Cordero Channel continues west from Greene Point Rapids for 3 1/2 miles to
join Chancellor Channel. A light on Lyall Island is at the junction. Lough-
borough Inlet extends 18 miles north of this junction. The ebb effects of
Greene Point Rapids are felt as far as this point.

Chancellor Channel leads southwest for about 7 miles to join Johnstone
Strait east of Helmcken Island and Race and Current Passages. If the weather
is calm this exit into Johnstone Strait can be taken to shorten the distance to
be travelled. However when strong westerlies are blowing they create disturbed
seas in Chancellor Channel (as well as Johnstone Strait) and the side-step via
wellbore Channel can offer more miles in comfort.

For a slow vessel running the northern passes ali together, the ebb will be
well advanced by the time the entrance to ~ellbore Channel is reached. The
channel can be taken if the tides and currents (as given in the tables), are
not large. But for the bigger tides, or if any tide is too far advanced one
should wait to enter ~ellbore Channel nearer slack water.

Small craft can find anchorage in the little bays on either side of Shorter

Point depending on the direction of the wind. The anchorages are very close of

shore. If possible other anchorages should be chosen for overnight use.

The effect of the currents are felt throughout Wellbore Channel. The main

current effects are at Whirlpool Rapids off Carterer Point. The north-flowing

ebb has a narrow center section with large back-eddies and whirlpools on each

side. The eastern back-eddy, together with the effects from Forward Harbour is

strong. Entering Forward Harbour when the ebb is strong will require consider-

able power and it is bes t avoided. On smal! ebb flows the current effects are

diminished, but swirls and currents sweep out past Althorp Point almost across

Bessborough Bay.

The south-flowing flood effects extend south of Carterer Point, with the

strongest back-eddy and whirlpools on the west side. 5ma!l floods have lesser

effects and a vessel could pass through even at mid fIood.

Forward Harbor is an attractive anchorage. Except when the ebb is strong

the narrow entrance channel can easily be negotiated. Douglas Bay is the best

anchorage, where several boats can anchor off the muddy beach. The depths

drop off fairly quickly. Protection is good in westerly winds, but if strong

easterlies are expected the 10g booms which are often lined up aiong the south

shore may offer more shelter. A logging camp is near the head of the bay.

In Sunderland Channel a small anchorage can be found in the lee of Murray

Islet in Topaze Harbor. There is little other shelter in this "harbor." Strong

westerlies in Johnstone Strait also affect Sunderland Channel. The seas are

not as heavy due to the shorter fetch. Sunderland Channel enters Johnstone

Strait west of Kelsey Bay. Most vessels keep to the north shore, except when

avoiding the rips off Gunner Point. If the seas are bad, respite can be found

in the bay east of Gunner Point or in HacLeod Bay, Tuna Point (see page 70), or

Port Xeville, as described on the next page.