1958 Map of Petit Bois Pass

About this map

Dauphin Island tapers into the Gulf of Mexico waters in this late-1950s survey, documenting the maritime environment of the Alabama coast. The map focuses on the dynamic seafloor and shifting sands where the Mississippi Sound meets the open sea. Of particular interest to maritime historians and divers is the specific notation of Wreckage located just west of the primary channel, a detail likely sourced from the Usc&GS hydrographic charts of the era. The sounding data reveals the navigable depth of Petit Bois Pass, illustrating the coastal geography before modern storm cycles further reshaped these barrier islands. This document serves as a precise record of the shoreline and shoals at a time when the region was primarily defined by its natural topography and fishing waters.