Old Sow Whirlpool
As waters move between the Bay of Fundy and Passamaquoddy Bay, the massive volume that flows through the underwater landscape off Eastport encounters countercurrents, causing “Old Sow,” one of the largest known whirlpools in the world.
Folklore says the whirlpool was named “Old Sow” because the sound of the turbulent water resembled pigs slurping at a trough, though the name may also derive from an older English word associated with rushing or draining water.
Depending on the conditions, the “Old Sow” varies in size, but it has been measured at 250 feet in diameter with a funnel drop of 12 feet. Smaller whirlpools, sometimes referred to as “piglets,” can form around it. The whirlpool is typically most active about three hours before high tide, but at other times, the turbulence it causes is usually not enough to trouble most boats. Small boats and paddlers are advised to avoid the area when the tide is running.
While the whirlpool can be dangerous and getting caught in it is certainly scary, Old Sow also inspires a good dose of maritime humor: Anyone getting caught in its “maw” is eligible for a certificate of survival – for a fee! – from the Old Sow Whirlpool Survivors Association.
