Machias Bay
Encyclopedia
Machias Bay is a bay
in Washington County
, Maine
that opens into the Gulf of Maine
.
The bay was the scene of the Battle of Machias
— the first naval battle
of the American Revolution
, occasioned by the British need for lumber for Boston.
Located at the mouth of the Machias River
between the towns of Machiasport
, Machias, East Machias
, Whiting
, and Cutler
, it is separated from Little Machias Bay
to the east by the Cutler Peninsula, from Little Kennebec Bay
to the west by the Point of Maine, and from the Gulf of Maine
to the south by Cross Island and the Libby Islands.
The bay extends roughly 7 mi. (12 km) and is 4 mi. (6 km) at its widest.
Bay
A bay is an area of water mostly surrounded by land. Bays generally have calmer waters than the surrounding sea, due to the surrounding land blocking some waves and often reducing winds. Bays also exist as an inlet in a lake or pond. A large bay may be called a gulf, a sea, a sound, or a bight...
in Washington County
Washington County, Maine
Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. In 2010, its population was 32,856. Its county seat is Machias.Sometimes referred to as "Sunrise County" because it is the easternmost county in the United States, and it is often where the rising sun first shines on the 48...
, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
that opens into the Gulf of Maine
Gulf of Maine
The Gulf of Maine is a large gulf of the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast of North America.It is delineated by Cape Cod at the eastern tip of Massachusetts in the southwest and Cape Sable at the southern tip of Nova Scotia in the northeast. It includes the entire coastlines of the U.S...
.
The bay was the scene of the Battle of Machias
Battle of Machias
The Battle of Machias was the first naval engagement of the American Revolutionary War...
— the first naval battle
Naval battle
A naval battle is a battle fought using boats, ships or other waterborne vessels. Most naval battles have occurred at sea, but a few have taken place on lakes or rivers. The earliest recorded naval battle took place in 1210 BC near Cyprus...
of the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, occasioned by the British need for lumber for Boston.
Located at the mouth of the Machias River
Machias River
The Machias River is a river in Maine, USA. It flows through Washington County in the eastern part of the state, from Third Machias Lake , passing the town of Machias and emptying into Machias Bay.-History:...
between the towns of Machiasport
Machiasport, Maine
Machiasport is a town in Washington County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,160 at the 2000 census. Machiasport is a historic seaport and tourist destination.-History:...
, Machias, East Machias
East Machias, Maine
East Machias is a town in Washington County, Maine, United States on the East Machias River. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 1,298.-Geography:...
, Whiting
Whiting, Maine
Whiting is a town in Washington County, Maine, United States. The town was named after Timothy Whiting, an early settler. The population was 430 at the 2000 census...
, and Cutler
Cutler, Maine
Cutler is a town in Washington County, Maine, United States. The town was named after Joseph Cutler, an early settler. The population was 623 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, it is separated from Little Machias Bay
Little Machias Bay
Little Machias Bay is a bay in Cutler, Maine, USA. It extends roughly 2.5 mi. by 1.5 mi. ....
to the east by the Cutler Peninsula, from Little Kennebec Bay
Little Kennebec Bay
Little Kennebec Bay is a bay on the coast of Maine. Located in Washington County, between Roque Bluffs and Machiasport, it extends roughly 5 mi. inland and is 1.5 mi. at its widest....
to the west by the Point of Maine, and from the Gulf of Maine
Gulf of Maine
The Gulf of Maine is a large gulf of the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast of North America.It is delineated by Cape Cod at the eastern tip of Massachusetts in the southwest and Cape Sable at the southern tip of Nova Scotia in the northeast. It includes the entire coastlines of the U.S...
to the south by Cross Island and the Libby Islands.
The bay extends roughly 7 mi. (12 km) and is 4 mi. (6 km) at its widest.