78PORT HARVEY, JOHNSTONE STRAIT
This excellent harbor lies about 3 miles off Johnstone Strait in an inlet
between East and West Cracroft Is1ands. The entrance is wide, but there are
several dangers that require attention when turning off the Strait. Broken
Islands lie to the east of the point where Havannah Channel joins Johnstone
Strait. There are two large islands, several islets and many scattered rocks.
A light is shown on the southwest tip of the largest Broken Island, which is
steep-to on this side. A route can be taken through the Broken Islands but it
is better to keep to deep water to round them. One may even anchor among them,
but as it is exposed with better anchorage nearby it seems a foolish risk.
Escape Reef is about 1/2 mile off the south shore of West Cracroft Island.
and 2 miles west of the Broken Islands. Hull Rock is a detached rock off the
southeast shore of West Cracroft Is1and. and about 3/4 mi1e west of Domville
Point. The channels between these dangers are sufficient1y wide for small
craft, the main concern being to set a course to avoid going too near the rocky
dangers. Routes favoring the Broken Islands side simplify navigation.
Open Co ve is a small cove on the east side between Transit and Harvey
Points. It can be used as an anchorage in easter1y winds, but is open to
westerlies and the swe11 they create in Johnstone Strait.
Port Harvey can be entered north of Broken Islands. It is at the end of a
two-mile inlet. While there is also anchorage north of Mist Is1and. it is
fairly restricted by rocks. The best anchorage is beyond the sma11 float house
at Tidepole Inlet in the basin at the head of the bay. At the northeast corner
there is an old government dock, and some of the land behind is designated as a
Marine Park. Anchor anywhere in the basin to the west of aline between the
government dock and the northeast end of Range Is1and. East of this line the
wide, deep appearing bay is actually shoal and marshy. The depth in the basin
is 4 to 5 fathoms, good holding in sticky mud. There is space for many boats
in this sheltered harbor.
The narrow inlet to the northwest is actually the channel between East and
West Cracroft Islands, and the sides are banked by meadows. Some northwesterly
winds enter through here, but the effect in the basin is small.
A route up Havannah Channel through Chatham Channel (which is narrow but
well marked) leads to Minstrel Island. a very popular pIace in the summer.
There are floats, astore, and other facilities. Fishing is good.
Port Neville, about 12 miles east of Port Harvey along Johnstone Strait,
can also be used as a respite from the winds in the Strait. It is not a good
anchorage as it is fairly long and is disturbed by tidal currents and some
weather. The best bet is at the government dock which is about 1/2 mile in
from Ransom Point, but this location is often crowded in summer.