Icy Strait

Icy Strait separates Chichagof Island to the south and the Alaska mainland to the north.

The Cape Spencer Light is an important former lighthouse and remains an active aid to navigation.

At 9:57 p.m. on September 13, 1886, the sidewheel steamer Ancon, a cargo liner, ran aground on an uncharted rock in Icy Strait within 0.5 nautical miles (0.9 km; 0.6 mi) of Point Gustavus while attempting to enter Glacier Bay.

After three hours, she floated free on the rising tide at 1:00 a.m. on September 14, and her captain beached her on a sandy shore about 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km; 1.7 mi) from the rock to prevent her from sinking.

[7] The cruise ship Empress of the North ran aground near Rocky Island[8] and took on some water there on May 14, 2007, causing the evacuation of her passengers.