Behm Canal facts for kids
Behm Canal is a long, natural waterway located in the Alexander Archipelago in southeastern Alaska, United States. It acts like a big channel, separating Revillagigedo Island from the mainland.
This canal stretches for about 108 miles (174 kilometers). It starts from the Clarence Strait and goes north and northeast. It passes through a narrower part called the Behm Narrows and by the mouth of the Unuk River. Then, it turns south, eventually connecting to the Revillagigedo Channel.
How Behm Canal Got Its Name
The Behm Canal was explored and given its name in 1793 by a famous explorer named George Vancouver. He named it to honor Magnus von Behm. Behm was the governor of a place called Kamchatka in 1779. This was when Captain James Cook's ships, with Vancouver on board, arrived at Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. This happened shortly after Captain Cook was sadly killed in Hawaii. It was Governor Behm who shared the news of Cook's death with people in Europe.
What Behm Canal Is Used For
Today, Behm Canal has an important role. It is used by a facility called the Southeast Alaska Acoustic Measurement Facility (SEAFAC). This facility uses the canal as a special testing area. Here, they test the sounds made by United States Navy submarines. This helps make sure the submarines are quiet and hard to detect.
New Eddystone Rock
Within Behm Canal, you can find a unique island called New Eddystone Rock. It is a very rocky island made of basalt. Many people have taken pictures of this interesting natural landmark.
