One of the Largest Whirlpools in the World is Just Off the Coast of Maine

Maine's maritime history goes back hundreds of years.

Of course, the first European settlers came to this part of North America by boat.  The Vikings, English, French, Dutch, etc all sailed up and down the coastline.  In many cases, they also set up oceanside settlements.

Later, during the colonial and early United States eras, the coast of Maine became a hub for shipbuilding, fishing, and transportation.

Even today, in the 2020s, Maine's coast is home to several significant shipyards and a prestigious college that teaches mariners.

Because of how active the coast of Maine is, it should not be a big surprise that several oddities have been discovered off the coast of Maine.

Old Sow, for example.

The Old Sow Whirlpool in Maine

According to the Old Sow website (yes, the whirlpool has its own website), Old Sow is the largest tidal whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere.

The whirlpool is located between Eastport and Deer Isle in New Brunswick.  However, it can move around depending on the direction of the tide. When the tide is coming in, the whirlpool is usually found just west and north of the southern tip of Deer Island. When the tide is going out, it moves farther south and may be less noticeable, although the water can still be very rough.

Old Sow is created by huge amounts of seawater rushing through deep underwater channels, around underwater rock formations, and through several strong currents and countercurrents.

Storms and strong winds can make it even more powerful. The area of turbulent water stretches for several miles, but the main whirlpool itself is much smaller. At one point, the most active vortex was estimated to be about 250 feet across.

As for the name "Old Sow," one theory is that the whirlpool makes a sound similar to a pig when it is churning. However, it is more likely that the name comes from the old word "sough," which describes a sucking or rushing sound, or a type of drain.

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