Loading map...

1953 Map of Cordova C-7

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Cordova C-7
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

Port Gravina and the northern reaches of Orca Bay dominate this 1953 topographic survey, revealing a landscape defined by deep fjords and maritime navigation within the Chugach National Forest. The map details the intricate shoreline of Prince William Sound, featuring prominent landforms such as Knowles Head and Red Head which frame the entrance to Knowles Bay. To the northeast, the narrow inlet of St Matthews Bay and the descriptive Hells Hole suggest the varied coastal conditions encountered by mid-century mariners.

On the southern edge of the sheet, the northern tip of Hawkins Island appears with Makaka Pt and the extensive Middle Ground Shoal. Hydrographic data compiled from USC&GS charts provides depth soundings throughout the bays, marking submerged hazards like Gravina Rocks and the small Gravina I. This record captures a wilderness area of Alaska before significant modern development, focusing on the natural geography and the maritime importance of these northern waterways.