Ironically, it’s the fox squirrels — and not their smaller cousins — that draw hunters to Cat Island.
Dear Capt. Paul,
I was wondering if you could help me out with the coordinates to the sunken barge near Freemason Island that is part of the Chandeleur Island chain.
Thanks in advance for your help,
Rethax
Capt. Paul’s response:
Freemason Island is located in Chandeleur Sound between the southern part of the Chandeleur Island barrier chain and Point Chicot. It is about 17.3 miles at a bearing of 74 degrees (magnetic) from the Point Chicot Green No. 1 marker/light, and about 7.7 miles due west of part of the Chandeleur Island chain.
Current NOAA charts indicate several shipwrecks in and around Freemason Island. I am not sure exactly which one you need, so I have included all of those in the general area.
Using the remnants of Freemason Island as the face of a clock that is about 1.5 miles in diameter, and beginning at the 12 o’clock position, there is a wreck indicated at or about N29 48.403 x W088 58.922.
At about the 1 o’clock position, one is at or about N29 48.212 x W088 58. 386.
Continuing in a clockwise direction to the 4 o’clock position, there is another one at or about N29 47. 614 x W088 58.386.
At the 5 o’ clock position, one can be found at or about W29 47. 337 x W088 58.733.
The 7 o’clock area, although a little farther from the center, yields a wreck at or about N29 47. 381 x W088 59.707.
Again continuing around the imaginary face, the last one is in the 11 o’clock position. You should find it at or about N29 48.524 x W088 59. 627.
I strongly suggest you get a current copy of NOAA Marine Chart No. 11363 — Chandeleur and Breton Sounds as a guide to the area. You will see that there is a reason for the amount of wrecks in that area. The area around Freemason Island has a very varied bottom depth.
The distance of the imaginary clock face is about 1.7 miles, and is across the island itself. The bottom depth in this area ranges from 11 feet to 1 foot. You should use caution when approaching the location as these varying bottom depths can be a real hazard.
In addition, just navigating to the location may put you in or over other shoals in the area.
The above listed chart indicates these wrecks as well as the various water depths in the area. When reviewing the chart, note the 10-foot-deep trough just to the northeast of the island. That drop-off in water depth should be a prime spot for some mules, as should any of these wrecks in the area.
Unless otherwise specified, all positions are stated as degrees, minutes and thousandths of minutes (DDD,MM.mmm), and were determined using WGS 84 datum. All bearings and courses are stated in magnetic degrees.
Got a GPS-related question for Capt. Paul? Ask it on the reports page of www.lasmag.com, and he’ll give you an answer at his earliest opportunity.
