Point Barrow

The Barrow region of Alaska, called Ukpeagvik by the locals (meaning the place were we hunt snowy owls), has been inhabited for centuries with archaeological evidence indicating the presence of ancient cultures as far back as 800 BC. Barrow was named for Sir John Barrow, Second Secretary of the Admiralty, by British naval officers who first explored the region and mapped the coastline of the North American Arctic.

The St. Roch visited Barrow Point on July 22nd 1940 on its eastwards passage. The local Natives and the American population welcomed the crew and, after a short stay, the vessel proceeded east because of the poor weather and the lack of a safe anchorage.