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

80

ALERT BAY, CORMORANT ISLAND

This town is the center of much of the activity in northern Vancouver
waters. The town and a major Nimpkish Indian village are almost inseparable,
and lie along the southern inner curve of Cormorant Island. The comma-shaped
island lies where Johnstone Strait ends and Broughtan Strait begins.

Southwest of Alert Bay the Nimpkish River flows out of Vancouver Island. A
large bank, which dries in some places and is shoal elsewhere, extends a
considerable distance out from the Vancouver Island shore. Two beacons mark
the edge of these shoals. Vessels should stay well over to the Alert Bay side
from these beacons, and as the currents can be strong the course should be
checked often.

There are many wharves, fuel terminals, and docks along the Alert Bay
waterfront. Perhaps the simplest way to orient oneself on an initial visit
here is by the totem poles. Near the southern end of the town the totem poles
in the clear space of the Nimpkish Buriai Grounds stand out. Thev are indeed
impressive, and a walk along the road will give one a closer look. Signs are
posted asking visitors to stay off the sacred grounds. Please heed these
signs.

A few hundred yards or so to the north there is a government wharf and a

float. There is seldom much space here as it is right in the center of town.

About l mile northwest of the Burial Grounds there is a talI totem pole on

the hili behind the old three-storey Indian School. At one time this was the

tallest totem pole in the world. About midway between this totem pale and the

burial grounds (north of the ferry dock) the long face of an angled rock

breakwater is seen. The entrance to the small craft floats is around the

northern end of the breakwater. When the fishing fleet is out, usually in the

beginning of the week, there is plenty of room at the floats. But when the

fleet is in port there may not even be sufficient space for rafting. ~~

J~ ~~

There are several fuel floats along the waterfront. A very strong current

runs along the shore and this must be taken into account in one's manoeuvering

in this harbor. The many facilities include a supermarket, laundromat,

hospital, drug store, post office, hotels, and restaurants. Severai craft

shops are on the main street.

On the hill above the town the antenna of Alert Bay Coast Guard VHF Radio

is conspicuous. The weather broadcasts 00 Ch. 21, 26, aod 2054 kHz are given

several times daily. They are a welcome source of information along this

coast.

Some significant distances related to Alert Bay are as folIows:

Campbell River to Alert Bay 83 miles

Kelsey Bay to Alert Bay (^41) miles
Port Harvey to Alert Bay 29 miles
Alert Bay to Soiotuia 6 miles
Alert Bay to Port Hardy 26 miles
Alert Bay to Biunden Harbor 24 miles