UNITED STATES COAST PILOT

GULF COAST-KEY WEST TO THE RIO GRANDE 1

GENERAL INFORMATION

The information contained in this volume, United States Coast Pilot, Gulf Coast, relates to the Gulf of Mexico from Key West to the Rio Grande, including the harbors and adjacent inland waterways, and embraces the coast of a part of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.

Within the limits of this volume the general coast line has a length of 1,629 miles, and is low and generally sandy, presenting no marked natural features to the mariner approaching it from seaward. The principal points and harbor entrances are marked by lighthouses, which are the chief guides for approaching or standing along the coast.

From Key West to Apalachee Bay the bottom is largely of a coral formation, with occasional spots of less depths than the surrounding bottom.

From Mississippi Sound to Galveston Bay the bottom is sand and silt, with several shoals lying well offshore, which change to some extent with severe storms; with the variable currents which are often encountered they are a serious menace to the navigator passing near them.

From Galveston to the Rio Grande the bottom is sandy, fairly regular, and free from off-lying dangers. In about latitude 27° N., where the trend of the coast changes from southwest to southeast, a counter current is formed which attains a considerable velocity of rotation and has been called the whirlpool of the Gulf. Vessels and barges disabled or broken adrift in the waters southeastward frequently go ashore abreast of this whirlpool.

Harbors and ports.-The most important places, either commercially or as harbors of refuge, are Charlotte Harbor, Tampa Bay, Withlacoochee Anchorage, St. George Sound and Apalachicola Bay, St. Josephs Bay, St. Andrews Bay, Pensacola, Mobile, Horn Island Pass and Pascagoula, Ship Island Pass and Gulfport, South and Southwest Passes and New Orleans, Atchafalaya Bay and River, Sabine Pass, Galveston Bay, and Aransas Pass.

Harbor entrances.-The entrance of every harbor on this stretch of the coast is more or less obstructed by a shifting sand bar over which the channel depth is changeable. Most of the entrances are being improved by dredging, and in some case by jetties, to maintain

1 The entire Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast northward to Cape Romain are shown on chart No. 1007. The other charts covering that part of the coast included in this volume are indicated on the index map.

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or increase the present depths. Masters of vessels bound to the harbars along this coast should, in cases where the depths given in this volume are approximately the same as the draft of their vessel, inquire of local pilots what draft is at the time being taken in and out over the bar.

On the bars the buoys are moved from time to time to indicate the channel; but they are liable to be dragged out of position and can not always be replaced immediately, so that a stranger must use the greatest caution. A stranger should, if possible, select a rising tide for entering the harbors on this coast.

The tidal currents have considerable velocity in all of the entrances, and their direction is affected by the force and direction of the wind; sailing vessels entering the harbors and sounds require a fair working breeze during the ebb.

In southerly gales the sea breaks on some of the bars, and no stranger should then attempt to enter such harbors without the assistance of a pilot.

System of buoyage.-In conformity with section 4678 of the Revised Statutes of the United States, the following order is observed in coloring and numbering buoys in United States waters, viz: In approaching the channel, etc., from seaward, red buoys, with even numbers, will be found on the starboard side.

In approaching the channel, etc., from seaward, black buoys, with odd numbers, will be found on the port side.

Buoys painted with red and black horizontal stripes will be found on obstructions, with channel ways on either side of them, and may be left on either hand in passing in.

Buoys painted with white and black perpendicular stripes will be found in mid-channel, and must be passed close-to to avoid danger. All other distinguishing marks to buoys will be in addition to the foregoing, and may be employed to mark particular spots.

Perches, with balls, cages, etc., will, when placed on buoys, be at turning points, the color and number indicating on what side they shall be passed.

Nun buoys, properly colored and numbered, are usually placed on the starboard side, and can buoys on the port side of channels.

Day beacons (except such as are on the sides of channels, which will be colored like buoys) are constructed and distinguished with special reference to each locality, and particularly in regard to the background upon which they are projected.

Buoys maintained by the United States Army Engineers for dredging purposes will hereafter be painted white with the top for a distance of 2 feet painted dark green.

Aids to navigation. The lighthouses and other aids to navigation are the principal guides, and mark the approach and channels to the important ports. The buoyage accords with the system adopted in United States waters. The principal coast lights are described in the text of this volume. For a complete description of all lighted aids see the Light List, Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the United States; and for a brief description of lights, buoys, and beacons, see Buoy List, Seventh District, Florida Reefs to Cedar Keys, and Buoy List, Eight District, Cedar Keys to the Rio Grande. These lists are published by the Lighthouse Service, and can be ob