Appleton Cove

General.    This interesting looking cove is situated a little over 1 nm in along the south shore of Rodman Bay and offers a handy and safe place to anchor when traversing Peril Straits to or from Sitka.

Reported.    June 2004 by Fine Tolerance

Charts.    NOAA 17338.

Approach.    The entrance to Rodman Bay is wide but has some shoals and rocks, the main one being Rodman Rock which is marked with a buoy. You can  pass safely either side by keeping at least 200 meters off from the buoy. There is also a rock and shoal leading out about 200 meters from the southern shore a short distance east of the entrance to Appleton Cove so keep at least this distance off the southern shore until ready to turn into Appleton Cove.

Anchoring.    We entered this anchorage in pitch dark and dropped the anchor as soon as we could at 57 28.4'N   135 15.8'W in 18 meters, mud bottom. The deep part of the channel entrance is quite narrow but by keeping slightly east of centre between the mainland and Prince Island you shouldn't encounter any problems. If arriving at high tide be aware that there are large drying areas surrounding the anchorage area shown. Further in towards Anderson Island would probably be a better spot to anchor.

Points of Interest.   Salmon fishing at the entrance to Rodman Bay in season. Otherwise just a nice quiet anchorage to wait for a favourable tide in Peril Straits.

 
Low tide at the anchorage. Anderson Island can be seen to the far right of the photo.

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