Tory Channel
Tory Channel is one of the drowned valleys that form the
Marlborough Sounds in
New Zealand.
Tory Channel is named after the "Tory", a pioneer ship that brought British colonists to
Wellington in
1840. It lies to the south of
Arapawa Island, separating it from the mainland. At its western end it joins the larger
Queen Charlotte Sound, which it meets halfway along the latter's length. Its eastern end meets Cook Strait close to the latter's narrowest point.
Tory Channel forms a substantial part of the
ferry route between Wellington and
Picton. Erosion attributed to the ferries, particularly the new faster ones (now discontinued), has resulted in speed restrictions.
One of the two candidates for the easternmost point in the South Island (along with
Cape Campbell) lies at the entrance of Tory Channel. Ironically, it is called West Head.