1955 Map of Harrison Bay C-1

About this map

Beaufort Sea soundings and coastal hydrography define this 1955 survey of the Alaskan North Slope. The map primarily covers the open waters of the arctic, transitioning from the deeper Beaufort Sea in the north to the shallower reaches of Harrison Bay in the south. Compiled from aerial photography and Usc&GS charts, the sheet documents the precise position of the barrier island chain known as the Jones Islands, including the prominent Thetis Island. This coastal segment represents the remote arctic shoreline before the significant industrial developments associated with later North Slope oil exploration. The lack of inland features or roads highlights the isolation of this maritime environment during the mid-1950s, focusing entirely on the interface between the icy sea and the low-lying coastal bars.