188EL CAPITAN PASSAGE
The southern part of Sumner Strait is open to the Pacific and to southerly
winds. But with good weather one can reach over from Cape Decision, or run
down from Port Protection to enter Shakan Strait on the east side of Sumner
Strait. Enter in the center of the opening for there are many rocks and islands
on each side. Then steer for the south end of the largest island (Hamilton
Island) where a daybeacon stands and enter Shakan Strait.
At the end of Shakan Strait there is an open bight to the east, where log
booms are moored. El Capitan Passage leads off to the east with its entrance
marked by a red beacon on a mid-channel rock. Anchorage can be taken a little
further north in the bight in Marble Creek, or further on in Calder Bay.
El Capitan Passage is an unheralded and fascinating part of Alaska. The
passage follows a marked, narrow channel toward5 the east which is dredged to a
controlling depth of lO feet and a minimum width of 70 feet. At Dry Pass it is
shallower --controlling depth being 7 feet and it appears narrower than the
70-foot width shown on the chart. Chart #17387, with its enlargement of this
part of El Capitan, should be used when negotiating the passage.
Before entering the narrows trom either end calI "Securite, Securite,
Securite" on VHF Channel 16 to warn of your passage and to enquire of any
vessel going the opposi te direction. There are several wider spots where
vessels can pass each other, but if a tug and boom are in the passage it i5
best to wait till they are through. There is no room to pass in the narrows.
Currents of about l to 2 knots occur through the passage. Tidal change occurs
at about the same time as at Sitka. Passage through is best near high water.
Beyond Dry Pass the passage widens, though it is stilI relatively shallow.
Deadheads are hazards of sha110w waters which result from use of the waterway
by 10g booms. Remember to keep a sharp lookout at alI times. After turning
the bend, leave the smal! wooded island to the west. In the wider section that
follows a logging camp is located on the small peninsula on the north side.
At Aneskett Point the Passage turns southward and gradually begins to
widen. About 3 1/2 miles south of this point the opening to Devi1fish Bay is
passed. A litt1e further on, Sarheen Cave on the east, and an unnamed cave on
the west (both about 2 1/2 miles further a10ng) could possibly be used as
anchorages. El Capitan Pas5age continues southward, widening, with beautiful
vistas of low, forested hil!s on either side and many islands. Five miles from
Sarheen Cove is the sma11 island of Burnt Island which has a light on it
marking the main passage.
East of Burnt Island i5 Sarkar Cove where anchorage can be taken in about 6
fathoms, mud, near the head of the cove and off the ruins of Deweyvi1le (once a
gold-mining town). The main route continues directly south from Burnt Island,
past the daybeacon at Hub Rock, then towards Tuxekan Narrows. One can proceed
around either end of El Capitan Island to visit the small community of Tokeen
00 the western side of the island.