1953 Map of Seward A-2

About this map

Montague Strait serves as the dominant marine corridor in this mid-century survey, separating the high elevations of Montague Island from the northern reaches of Knight Island. The maritime character of the region is defined by deep-water soundings and navigational hazards like The Needle, a lonely rock rising from the center of the strait. On Knight Island, the landscape is punctuated by Horn Mountain and the sheltered waters of Snug Harbor, while the southern portion of the map is dominated by the mountainous terrain of the Chugach National Forest on Montague Island. The inclusion of Beach River and Discovery Pt provides specific reference points for maritime history and geological study. This 1953 topography reflects the untouched coastline of the Prince William Sound area before major modern environmental changes, capturing the complex island-and-channel network exactly as it appeared to the Geological Survey in the early 1950s.