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

118

PRINCE RUPERT

This attractive, busy city is the northernmost population center of the
Canadian portion of the trip to Alaska. It bustles with activity for much of
the summer as the fishing fleet uses the large harbor as a home base. It is a
pIace to rest, re-stock, and enjoy eating out. It is a150 a Port of Entry,
where one ~ report on returning from Alaska.

The harbor is a magnificent naturai basin, protected from seaward by Digby
Isiand. It has deep water and pIenty of space for expansion. Prince Rupert
Iies on the flat part of Kaien Island, overlooked by the high, steep bulk of
Mount Hays. When approaching from the south the Ridley Island Deep Sea
Terminal and some of the industriaI mil1s on Port Edward in front of ~ount
Hayes are visible at a distance.

The approach from Ketchikan passes inside the screen of Dundas and ~Ie l ville
Islands along Chatham Sound to the buoy at Petrel Rock (FI.G, #D.39), then
turns south of belI buoy D33 befare entering the harbor. From seaward (i.e.
Dixon Entrance) pick up the Iighthouses and buoys of Brown Passage, 16 miles
WNW of Petre1 Rock. See the sketch on page 197.

The harbor entrance between Kaien and Digby Islands is well marked at the

various Iedges and shoals, and is wide enough to accommodate the heavy traffic

of a busy dee p sea porto Much driftwood collects here with the tidal flow --

at time5 there 15 an incredible amount of debris in the water.

Prince Rupert's facilities Iie on the east side of the harbar. On the west

side of the harbor a narrow, buoyed, and intricate channei Ieads through Venn

Passage to the viI1age of Metlakatla, then out through the bay into Chatham

Strait. This channel is not recommended, though it shortens the trip northward.

When entering the harbor the deep sea terminals are first passed, followed

by the Fisherman's Co-op and Fairview Public Floats behind a breakwater. These

are usually fi1Ied with fishing vessels. The B.C. and Alaska Ferry Terminals

are next. The harbor front turns north'w'esterly after the Raih:ay Barge

TerminaI and the downto ... n part of Prince Rupert is visible. Beyond the cruise

ship dock there are the Prince Rupert Yacht Club floars, relatively small and

exposed behind a floating breakwater. Limited guest ~oorage is available.

The best pIace for transients 15 the Rushbrook Public Float5 10cated near

the top of the harbor. A floating 10g breakwater al10"'5 entry from either end,

but the south entrance has a rocky patch marked by a beacon. The northern

entrance i5 preferable. It is almost always necessary to squeeze in, or raft

up. The harbormaster contro1s berthing, and is a souree of 10eal information.

Water i5 at the fIoats. Garbage disposal is at the head of the pier.

Rushbrook is about a mi1e out of the main city center. While taxis are

avaiIab1e, walking is commonplace. On the way in one ...,i11 pass Smiles Seafood,

a highly reeommended eating pIace. The waterfront road joins the Prince Rupert

downtown core near the Courthouse and the Visitor's Bureau and ~useum.

Shopping centers, craft shops, and the Post Office are along 1st, 2nd, and 3rd

Avenues. A laundromat ,is on ~cBride, just up from the Courthouse. For a

nomina~ charge sho\o'ers can be had at the Pioneer Rooms on 3rd A\'enue in anlld,

but clean boarding house. The Esso fuei dock also has a shower which usually

has a queue.