At 9:57 p.m. on September 13, 1886, the sidewheelsteamerAncon, 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.[1][2] She was refloated on October 2, 1886, and, after initial repairs, run ashore again in Bartlett Cove for additional repairs. She finally proceeded to Juneau, Alaska, for permanent repairs.[3] A United States Coast and Geodetic Survey team sent to chart the rock in November 1886 named it "Ancon Rock,"[4][5] and a buoy moored at the site now warns ships of the submerged Ancon Rock.[6]Ancon returned to service in mid-December 1886.[7]
The cruise shipEmpress 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. None were injured.