Thomas Bay

General.    Baird Glacier, at the head of Thomas Bay, is not a tidal Glacier but interesting never the less. The entrance to this bay is only 10 nm nautical north of  Petersburg.

Reported.    July 2003 by Fine Tolerance

Charts.    NOAA 17367.

Approach.    There are no off-shore dangers in Frederick Sound and the floating buoys marking the entrance channel into Thomas Bay are clearly seen if visibility is OK. The Bay itself is very deep. We did not try the passage on the west side of Ruth Island. The passage to the east of Ruth Island is clear and free from dangers.

Anchoring.    We anchored in 13 meters of good holding mud at 56 58.8N    132 48.9W. There were many fishing buoys in this bay and our anchorage was dictated by their position. The pilot book states that it is possible to anchor between the mainland and the small island that you pass just before the anchorage indicated on the mud map above. The 7 meter spot shown on the mud map on the top of this page relates to just one small spot with the rest of this small area deeper.

Points of Interest.   The scenery in this area is quite spectacular. The water is filled with silt from the glacier and we woke to a large area of thin ice all around us. We did venture into Scenery Cove for a quick look-see but did not explore it.

 
Baird Glacier.

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