Wachusett Reef

Wachusett Reef was a phantom reef in the Antarctic Ocean.

Wachusett Reef
Wachusett Reef on 1921 Pacific map
In-universe information
TypePhantom island
Wachusett Reef as "Wachusett Bank" on 1904 map of Antarctica
Historic Antarctic map of 1912 with "Wachusett Untiefe"

Captain Lambert of the ship Wachusett reported that on June 4, 1899 he passed over a reef which appeared to be of coral formation in approximately latitude 32°18′S 151°08′W. The reef appeared to be about 500 feet (150 m) wide. The bottom showed of a dark gray color with deep blue on both sides of the reef. The depth was estimated at from 5 to 6 fathoms (30 to 36 ft; 9.1 to 11.0 m); unfortunately no soundings were taken.[1]

The 2015 edition of the National Geographic Atlas of the World still shows Wachusett Reef, with a depth of 9 metres (30 ft).[2] Nevertheless, its existence is doubtful, making it a phantom reef. Other nearby historically reported reefs which appear to not exist include Ernest Legouve Reef, Jupiter Reef, and Maria Theresa Reef.

Notes
  1. United States Hydrographic Office (1916). Pacific Islands Pilot, v. 2. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. p. 56. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  2. National Geographic Atlas of the World (10th ed.). Washington, D.C.: National Geographic. 2015. p. plate 109. ISBN 978-1-4262-1354-0.

References

 This article incorporates text from Pacific Islands Pilot, v. 2, a publication from 1916, now in the public domain in the United States.

  • Eade, J.V. (1976). Geological notes on the Southwest Pacific Basin in the area of Wachusett Reef and Maria Theresa Reef. Wellington: New Zealand Oceanographic Institute.
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