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COAST FROM PETIT MANAN TO FRENCHMAN BAY

The bight inclosed between Petit Manan Bar and Schoodic Peninsula is the approach to Dyer and Gouldsboro Bays and Prospect Harbor. Prospect Harbor is the most important village, although Gouldsboro and Steuben can be reached by small craft at high water. These waters are frequented only by local fishermen and a few lumber schooners. There are many rocks in the approach and tributaries, not closely examined, and vessels should use caution when crossing broken areas where the charted depth does not considerably exceed the draft.

Moulton Ledge, off the entrance to Dyer and Gouldsboro Bays, 3 miles west-northwestward of Petit Manan Lighthouse, is bare at low water, and is marked by a red and black buoy placed southwest of the ledge. There are several other unmarked ledges and broken ground in this vicinity, and it should be avoided by vessels.

Dyer Bay (chart 305), the entrance to which lies 3 miles northwestward of Petit Manan Lighthouse, has excellent anchorage in 4 to 7 fathoms (7.3 to 12.8 m.), but it is unmarked and seldom used except by small local vessels. Petit Manan Point, on the eastern side of the bay, has a large watch tower which forms a prominent mark. A group of islands and rocks, with narrow, deep passages between them, extends from westward across the entrance of Gouldsboro Bay and part way across Dyer Bay entrance, leaving a good passage nearly 1/2 mile wide between the easternmost bare ledge, The Castle, and Petit Manan Point. One mile above The Castle the channel is contracted to a width of 250 yards by rocks and ledges, which extend out from both shores and have a depth of 9 to 11 feet (2.7 to 3.4 m.) over them. Above this the channel widens to 1/2 mile, and contracts gradually to 1/4 mile westward of Sheep Island. The least depth in the channel is 314 fathoms (6.3 m.), but a stranger should not attempt to enter at low water with a vessel of more than 9-foot (2.7 m.) draft. There are no commercial wharves.

Pinkham Bay, at the head of Dyer Bay, is full of rocks and ledges; a narrow, crooked channel with a depth of 8 feet (2.4 m.) at low water leads for some distance toward its head, which runs dry at low water.

Dyer Harbor, north of Sheep Island and west of Good Point, is shallow; the upper part is dry at low water.

Carryingplace Cove makes southeastward, north of Sheep Island; the head of this cove is nearly all dry at low water and is 300 yards from Pigeon Hill Bay.

The tidal currents are strong in the entrance of Dyer Bay, but follow the general direction of the channel except near Dyer Point, where they set in and out of Gouldsboro Bay.

The Castle, Bonnychess Ledge, and Little Ledge are bare ledges, without distinguishing marks.

Yellowbirch Head, on the east side, % mile northeastward of The Castle, is a high, bare bluff. The channel at this point and for 3⁄4 mile above is contracted to a width of about 300 yards by unmarked ledges on either side, having least found depths of about 9 feet. (2.7 m.). The best water is about in mid-channel.

Directions, Dyer Bay, entering from eastward.-From the perpendicularly striped bell buoy 1 mile southward of Petit Manan

Lighthouse, steer 315° true (NNW. 3% W. mag.) for 314 miles until the south end of Petit Manan Point is 5% mile distant and in range with Egg Rock, bearing 60° true (E. by N. mag.). Then steer 351° true (N. % E. mag.) and pass 250 yards eastward of The Castle. Then bring it astern on a 359° true (N. by E. 5% E. mag.) course, heading to pass in mid-channel westward of Sheep Island. Select anchorage near the middle of the bay when over 114 miles above The Castle, in 4 to 7 fathoms (7.3 to 12.8 m.), but do not go over 1/4 mile above Sheep Island.

Entering from westward.-From the whistling buoy off Schoodic Island, steer 46° true (NE. by E. 34 E. mag.) for 7 miles, passing 3 mile southeastward of Little Black Ledge, 5% mile northwestward of Stone Horse Ledge, and to a position 3 mile southward of The Castle. Pass about 250 yards eastward of The Castle and proceed as directed in the preceding paragraph.

Gouldsboro Bay. This bay (chart 305) lies 4 miles northwestward of Petit Manan Lighthouse and 6 miles northeastward of Schoodic Island. It forms an excellent anchorage in 2 to 9 fathoms (3.7 to 16.5 m.). It is the approach to the villages of Gouldsboro and Steuben, 612 and 7 miles, respectively, above the entrance, but the approaches to these villages are unmarked and can be navigated only by small craft at high water, and are little used. Ice obstructs navigation in the bay from December to March. In severe winters the bay is closed to the entrance.

Sally Islands, a chain of small islands and ledges, extend across the entrance; through the chain are two navigable channels known as Eastern Way and Western Passage. When approaching from westward, care must be taken not to mistake the passages, the islands being difficult to recognize. Inside the islands, the bay is free from outlying dangers and the water shoals gradually toward its head.

Eastern Way, or Ship Channel, leads into the bay between Eastern Island (wooded on top) and Bald Rock (a bare rock); it is about 350 yards wide between the 18-foot (5.5 m.) curves, and has a spot with 24 feet (7.3 m.) over it about 200 yards west of Eastern Island. This channel has the strongest tidal currents, and when the current is running ebb sailing vessels can enter only with a strong favorable breeze. The currents set diagonally across the channel.

Western Passage leads into the bay between Sally Island (rocky, with grass on top) and Sheep Island (thickly wooded in center). It is about 200 yards wide between the 12-foot (3.7 m.) curves and leads close along the eastern side of Sheep Island westward of ledges bare at half tide; the least depth in the channel is 1812 feet (5.7 m.). The tidal currents run true with the channel and have a velocity of 2 to 3 knots at strength.

There is a passage from Dyer Bay to Gouldsboro Bay north of Sally Islands. It is obstructed by rocks, partly bare at low water only, which extend 300 yards southward and southwestward from the southern end of Dyer Neck, and by a shelving ledge which extends 250 yards northeastward from Eastern Island. The channel where narrowest, abreast Eastern Island, is 250 yards wide, and the range of the northwest sides of Bald Rock and Sheep Island, bearing 240° true (W. by S. mag.), leads through the middle of it.

Point Francis, on the western shore, 311⁄2 miles above the entrance, is high and wooded, and is prominent from the lower end of the bay.

Joy Bay, a shallow body of water 111⁄2 miles long, with a narrow, crooked channel to the village of Steuben, makes northward from Gouldsboro Bay at Rogers Point; it separates into two coves at its head; the eastern one is Steuben Harbor and the western Joy Cove. Steuben can be reached at high water by vessels of 7 to 8 feet (2.1 to 2.4 m.) draft; the channel is nearly bare at low water,

and is unmarked and seldom used.

Gouldsboro Harbor is a large shallow arm with numerous ledges at its entrance, making into the northwestern part of Gouldsboro Bay and extending about 22 miles to the village of Gouldsboro, which is of no commercial importance. The harbor has a narrow, crooked, unmarked channel, nearly dry at low water, and is seldom used.

Directions, Gouldsboro Bay.-A depth of 4 fathoms (7.3 m.) can be carried into the bay through the Eastern Way, and 18 feet (5.5 m.) through the Western Passage. The tidal currents have a velocity of 2 to 3 knots at strength through these passages, and in Eastern Way they set diagonally.

From eastward, entering through Eastern Way.-From the perpendicularly striped bell buoy southward of Petit Manan Lighthouse steer 312° true (NNW. 5% W. mag.) a little over 4 miles; the tidal currents set across this course with considerable velocity, the flood northeastward and ebb southwestward. Continue nearly this course and pass midway between Eastern Island and Bald Rock. When inside the islands steer a little more northward and stand up the middle of the bay; the water shoals gradually toward the head, and anchorage can be had anywhere between the entrance and Point Francis by giving the shores a berth of 500 yards.

From eastward, through Western Passage.-From the perpendicularly striped bell buoy southward of Petit Manan Lighthouse steer 305° true (NW. 34 N. mag.) for the northeastern side of Sheep Island. Pass about 100 yards off the eastern side of the island, steer 343° true (N. 1 E. mag.) and stand up the middle of the bay.

From westward, entering through Eastern Way.-From the whistling buoy off Schoodic Island steer 46° true (NE. by E. 34 E. mag.) for 414 miles, passing 3⁄4 mile southeastward of Little Black Ledge and for 1/2 mile beyond, until Cranberry Point is in line with Prospect Harbor Lighthouse. Then steer 29° true (NE. 14 E. mag.) for the eastern end of Eastern Island until about 1/4 mile from the island. Then steer about 342° true (N. mag.) and pass about midway between Eastern Island and Bald Rock. Then steer more northwestward to avoid the rocks, bare at low water only, lying 300 yards off the southwest side of the south end of Dyer Neck, and then stand up the middle of the bay.

From westward, through Western Passage. From the whistling buoy off Schoodic Island steer 46° true (NE. by E. 34 E. mag.), and continue the course for 1 mile after Cranberry Point is in range with Prospect Harbor Lighthouse. Then steer 343° true (N. 1/8 E. mag.), keep the eastern side of Sheep Island aboard, distant about 100 yards, to clear the ledges which extend 450 yards westward of Sally Island, and stand up the middle of the bay.

Indian Harbor is a small cove between Gouldsboro Bay and Prospect Harbor, inside a group of grassy islands. It has depths of 10 feet (3.0 m.) in the entrance and 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m.) at the

head. The best water leads westward of Western Island, and then favors the northeast side of Indian Harbor to the head. Small craft enter from Gouldsboro Bay, inside of all the islands, but strangers should not attempt this passage.

Corea is a post village of fishermen at the head of Indian Harbor. The wharf is bare at low water. A church and a group of houses are prominent for a considerable distance offshore. There is a store here, where supplies in limited quantities can be obtained.

Prospect Harbor.-This harbor (chart 305), 3 miles northeastward of Schoodic Island and 6 miles northwestward of Petit Manan Lighthouse, is the approach to the village of Prospect Harbor. The outer harbor has ample depth and affords anchorage for the largest vessels, exposed to southerly winds. It is easily entered, but seldom

used.

The ledges off the entrance to Prospect Harbor divide the approach into two channels; both are clear and deep if the ledges between them be avoided.

Little Black Ledge and Big Black Ledge show at high water, and Old Man and Old Woman are partly bare at low water. The latter is marked by a red buoy at its southwest end.

Sand Cove, the eastern branch at the head of Prospect Harbor, has ample depth until near the head, but is seldom used.

Inner Harbor, the western branch at the head, is marked on the eastern side by Prospect Harbor Lighthouse (fixed red with white sectors), and on the western side by Clark Ledges spindle. It has a depth of 2 to 5 fathoms (3.7 to 9.1 m.) just inside, sheltered from all but southeast winds, and is extensively used by small local vessels. The anchorage is on the southwest side_in_soft bottom, about 200 yards northward of a line joining Clark Ledges spindle and the fish factory on Clark Point.

Prospect Harbor is a village of fishermen on Inner Harbor. The depth is 18 feet (5.5 m.) at the cannery wharf on Clark Point, and about 5 feet (1.5 m.) at the wharves just inside Clark Point. The wharf at the head is bare before low water. Gasoline and provisions are obtainable.

Birch Harbor, on the western side of Prospect Harbor, 11⁄2 miles above the entrance, has a depth of 6 feet (1.8 m.) for 11⁄2 mile, and shoals rapidly above. There is a small settlement of fishermen near the head; the landings are bare at low water. The channel is unmarked and difficult. The best water in entering favors the southwest side to avoid Roaring Bull, a rock bare at extreme low water. Bunker Harbor, on the west side of Prospect Harbor, just inside the entrance, has a small settlement of fishermen at the head. The landings are bare at low water. The entrance is obstructed by ledges. The outer one is Bunker Ledge, partly bare at low water only and marked at its eastern end by a black buoy. Inside of this are ledges awash at high water. The channels are unmarked and the one southward of the ledges in the entrance is said to be the best.

Directions, Prospect Harbor.-Entering from eastward, from a position midway between the perpendicularly striped bell buoy southward of Petit Manan Lighthouse and the red buoy 5 mile northward, a 285° true (NW. by W. mag.) course for 512 miles will lead about midway between Moulton Ledge buoy and Stone Horse Ledge, and to the red bell buoy off the eastern point at the entrance to

Prospect Harbor. Continue the course until 1/4 mile northwestward of the buoy, and then steer for Prospect Harbor Lighthouse on a 322° true (N. by W. 34 W. mag.) course until off the entrance to Inner Harbor. Then steer 286° true (NW. % W. mag.) into the inner harbor, passing 150 yards northward of the spindle. Anchorage can be selected eastward or northeastward of the fish factory.

Entering from westward, vessels can pass 3% mile eastward of Schoodic Island and then steer 10° true (NNE. 12 E. mag.) for 3 miles, passing midway between Bunker Ledge and Old Woman buoys, and continue the course for 1 mile beyond to a position a little over 1/4 mile off the western shore; then a 349° true (N. 5% E. mag.) course, heading for Prospect Harbor Lighthouse, will lead eastward of a black buoy and to the spindle. The course into the inner harbor is then 286° true (NW. % W. mag.) as described in the preceding paragraph.

Schoodic Harbor (chart 306), between Prospect Harbor and Frenchman Bay, has ample depth but is exposed to the sea and never used as an anchorage. There are no wharves. There are several islands and ledges in the entrance.

Schoodic Island is low and partly wooded on the south end. The north end is grassy. It is bordered by extensive ledges.

Schoodic Ledge, northward of Schoodic Island, is covered near high water and breakers are always visible. The channel between Schoodic Island and Schoodic Ledge is marked by a buoy on either side. It has ample depth and is generally used by small local vessels and motor boats, bound along the coast.

Middle Ledge is bare at about half tide.

The island in Schoodic Harbor northward of Schoodic Ledge has a few trees in the center.

Arey Cove, 1 mile westward of Schoodic Island, is exposed to a heavy sea and never used. There are no distinguishing marks.

FRENCHMAN BAY

(chart 306) lies westward of Schoodic Peninsula and eastward of Mount Desert Island. It is the approach to the towns and important summer resorts of Bar Harbor, Winter Harbor, South West Harbor, North East Harbor, and many smaller villages. The bay is frequented by passenger steamers, yachts, small pleasure craft, and fishing vessels and a few cargo vessels. The bay proper is about 10 miles long and has an average width of about 4 miles. Halfway toward its head is a group of islands extending across the bay, between which are two good channels leading to the upper part. Vessels of the largest size and deepest draft can find an anchorage, and navigation is not difficult for strangers.

The principal entrance is from southward, between Schoodic Peninsula and Baker Island, but small vessels can enter from southwestward through Western Way. Small vessels may also enter the head of Frenchman Bay at high water through Mount Desert Narrows.

Prominent objects. The principal guides to the entrance of Frenchman Bay from the sea are Mount Desert (Rock) Lighthouse, Great Duck Island Lighthouse, Baker Island Lighthouse, Winter

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