Wachusett Reef

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"

Wachusett Reef was a phantom reef in the Antarctic Ocean.

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 / 32.300°S 151.133°W / -32.300; -151.133. 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.

  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.