2011 Map of Cross Island

About this map

Cross Island dominates this maritime survey of the outer reaches of Machias Bay, where the Maine coast meets the open Atlantic Ocean. This landscape is defined by its isolation and the hazards of the sea, marked by numerous outcrops and landforms such as Seashore Ledge, Thornton Point Ledge, and Seal Cove Ledge. The cluster of landmasses including Mink Island, Scotch Island, and the Double Head Shot Islands illustrates the fragmented nature of the Downeast shoreline. To the southwest, the Libby Islands stand as lonely outposts in the Atlantic. The survey captures these landforms at a specific moment in 2011, providing a detailed record of coastal geography, including prominent elevations like Northwest Head and Cross Island Head that have long served as vital navigational landmarks for those working the cold waters of Washington County.