Little Pass and Big Pass lead into Clearwater Harbor from the Gulf. Little Pass is 12 miles northward of John Pass, 12 miles southward of Anclote Keys Lighthouse and 12 miles westward of the town of Clearwater. It may be recognized by a small pavilion on the beach on the north side of the entrance, and by beacon No. 2. Big Pass, 3 miles northward of Little Pass, is marked by a buoy, which does not always indicate the best water, and by beacons. At times as much as 9 feet (2.7 m.) is found in the channels of these passes, and a depth of 6 feet (1.8 m.) can usually be depended upon, with Big Pass having the better depth of the two. On the bars the channels are subject to change, and the chart can not be relied upon to show the latest condition. Inside the entrance the channels are fairly stable, and the chart is a good guide. Usually, when the sea is smooth, which is the only time that a stranger can enter safely, the channels can be discerned by the difference in color of the water. St. Joseph Sound extends northward from the northern end of Clearwater Harbor nearly to Anclote Keys, and is separated from the Gulf for a part of the distance by a narrow strip of beach, known as Hog Island. With a favorable tide a draft of a little more than 3 feet (0.9 m.) can be carried through the sound, but in its present condition 3 feet (0.9 m.) is all that a stranger should attempt to carry, and that on a rising tide. The best water is marked by beacons with pointers; but shoaling has occurred so that local knowledge is necessary to find the best water between beacons, especially southwestward of Dunedin.

Anclote Keys Lighthouse is a brown skeleton tower on the south end of Anclote Keys. The light is flashing white (light 1 second, eclipse 4 seconds), 101 feet (31 m.) above the water, and visible 16 miles. A clump of tall trees near the lighthouse forms a conspicuous landmark for vessels standing along the coast and well offshore.

Anclote Anchorage, between Anclote Keys and the mainland, is well protected from westerly gales and is considerably used. It is good for vessels of 7 feet (2.1 m.) or less draft, and can be reached by passing either northward or southward of the keys. Both passages are marked by beacons. Vessels of a greater draft than 7 feet (2.1 m.) can find anchorage westward of the keys; here they are exposed to westerly winds; but as the water shoals very gradually, there is never a very heavy sea, and vessels with good ground tackle can ride out anything but a hurricane.

To enter the anchorage from south of the keys, bring Anclote Keys Lighthouse to bear 33° true (NNE: 34 E. mag.) and steer for it on this course until up to beacon No. 1. From this beacon head 56° true (NE. 34 E. mag.) so as to leave beacon No. 2 to starboard and beacons Nos. 1, 3, and 5 on the port hand. When one-fourth to three-eighths mile eastward of beacon No. 5, head about 13° true (N. by E. mag.) and select anchorage as desired anywhere within the next 3 miles.

Approaching from northward, keep outside the 12-foot (3.7 m.) curve and steer for Anclote Keys lighthouse on any bearing eastward of 160° true (SSE. mag.) until beacon No. 2, lying 51/2 miles north-northwestward of the lighthouse, is sighted. From this beacon steer 92° true (E. mag.) to beacon No. 4. Then steer 132°

true (SE. 2 E. mag.) for a small black beacon, No. 1. Pass nearly 1/2 mile westward of this beacon and steer 185° true (S. 14 W. mag.) for a red, pyramidal beacon in range with a similar black beacon (white light on the latter) until a red beacon is one-half mile distant on the starboard beam. Then steer about 205° true (SSW. mag.) and select anchorage as desired anywhere within the next 3 miles.

Anclote River discharges over a broad shoal east of Anclote Keys. A channel 100 feet wide and 512 feet (1.7 m.) deep has been dredged from Anclote Anchorage into the river and up to Anclote post office, a distance of 24 miles, and a channel 4 feet (1.2 m.) deep from there to the county bridge at Tarpon Springs, 111⁄2 miles farther up the river. In 1925, 5 feet (1.5 m.) could be carried to Anclote and 32 feet (1.1 m.) to the county bridge, but the sides of some of the cuts had caved, leaving a clear channel not over 50 feet wide at several places. The river, outside of the channel, is but a foot or two deep, and above the bridge it is navigable only for boats. The channel is well marked by lights and beacons as far as Tarpon Springs. A pilot for the river may be found at Tarpon Springs.

Anclote is a small settlement on the north bank of Anclote River. No supplies can be had here, but there is telephone connection with Tarpon Springs, and supplies or a pilot can be telephoned for.

There is a slipways and small machine shop above Anclote, on the same side of the river, opposite Kramer Bayou. Boats up to 40 feet in length and 4-foot (1.2 m.) draft can be hauled, and some machine repairs can be made. There is also space for yachts to be stored here.

Tarpon Bayou, the bayou next eastward of Kramer Bayou, extends southward from the river at an opening one-half mile above the island that is opposite Anclote. On the eastern arm of this bayou there is a little concrete-faced basin. A draft of 4 feet (1.2 m.) can be taken into the basin and to the public wharf at its head, but a favorable tide is necessary.

Tarpon Springs is a winter resort and town on the south bank of Anclote River. It is the headquarters for the sponge-fishing fleet of this section of the coast and is often visited by small yachts. A railroad connects with the towns southward along the coast to St. Petersburg and with the interior. A draft of 5 feet (1.5 m.) can be taken at high tide to the Sponge Exchange, just below the county bridge, but the depth at the dock there is less than 3 feet (0.9 m.). The most convenient approach to the town for small boats is through the bayou and basin described in the preceding paragraph. Fresh water, gasoline, provisions, and boat supplies can be had at Tarpon Springs. There are facilities for making repairs to launches, and there are marine railways of about 60 tons capacity. The limits of length and draft that can be hauled out here are 85 feet and 6 feet, respectively. Storm warnings are displayed from a tower at the Sponge Exchange.

Directions, Anclote River.-Enter Anclote River on a 71° true (ENE. % E. mag.) course with two lights in range ahead and the lighthouse astern, leaving beacon No. 4 to starboard and lighted beacon No. 1 to port. When nearly up to the front range beacon,

turn eastward passing 25 yards off beacon No. 2, and then bring the range beacons in line astern on course 108° true (ESE. 5% E. mag.). Leave beacon No. 4 about 15 yards to starboard and steer around beacon No. 6 (red light) and head between beacons Nos. 5 and 8 for the dredged cut between two small islands. Pass through this cut to beacon No. 7 (white light) and pass midway between this beacon and beacon No. 10, and swing eastward to leave beacon No. 12 to starboard. Leave beacons Nos. 14, 16, and 18, close to starboard, and pass midway between beacons Nos. 20 and 9 (white light). From beacon No. 9, head eastward around the bend, leaving beacon No. 22 to starboard, and favor the north and west shore leaving beacons Nos. 24 and 26 to starboard, then along the right bank leaving beacons Nos. 28, 30, and 32, close-to on the starboard hand. Pass midway between beacon No. 11 (white light) and beacon No. 34, and proceed in midchannel to the wharves. The channel is said to have shoaled to a depth of 3 feet (0.9 m.) at low tide in the cut east of the island at the mouth of Kramer Bayou between beacons Nos. 28 to 32, and strangers are advised to navigate cautiously after leaving Anclote.

To go to the basin in the eastern part of Tarpon Springs, leave the river at Kramer Bayou, the first opening on the south side above Anclote post office, and follow the marked channel past a marine railway. Then favor the eastern and northern banks, passing a small bayou on the port hand, and turn into the second passage on the north side. Keep about in the middle of this passage and look out for submerged rocks. The public landing is on the north side, nearly at the head of this arm.

Northward of Anclote Keys, for 60 miles, to Cedar Keys, the coast is low and fringed with marshes averaging a mile in width. The coast line is broken by a number of shallow creeks and rivers, which can be entered only by small boats. Innumerable small keys and islets lie near the coast, and broken ground extends as much as 15 miles offshore in places. As a general rule, the depths decrease gradually as the coast is approached, but there are many shallow spots and rocks with deeper water inside. These extend for a distance of 40 miles northward from Anclote Keys, 7 miles offshore, and are known under the general name of St. Martin Reef. The outer limit of shallow water and detached shoals is marked by St. Martin Outer Shoal Beacon No. 22, a five-pile dolphin, with red triangular double day mark and white pointer, in a depth of 13 feet (4.0 m.), at a position 16 miles 343° true (N. by W. 34 W. mag.) from Anclote Keys Lighthouse.

Strangers should approach the coast with great care, and vessels of deep draft should keep in 5 to 6 fathoms (9.1 to 11.0 m.) Small vessels of 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 m.) draft usually follow the coast more closely, especially during windy weather, and by keeping about 7 miles off find comparatively smooth water. This section of the coast is frequently obscured by a hazy atmosphere, and the vessels standing inshore close enough to sight land are mostly spongers and fishermen; these sometimes anchor in shoal water behind shell reefs, in places where the bottom is soft, and ride out the heaviest gales. Vessels of moderate draft can anchor in from 3 to 5 fathoms (5.5 to 9.1 m.) anywhere between Anclote Keys and Cedar Keys, and, as there is but little sea, they can ride out anything except a hurricane.

Bird Roosts, or Racks, have been built on the outermost shoals all along this coast between Tampa Bay and St. Marks River. They consist of a square platform on piles about 10 feet above the water, and make good landmarks. Since these racks are usually built on the outermost shoals, small boats can be assured of fairly good water by keeping outside of them.

New Port Richie is a small village on Pithlochascootie River, about 22 miles from the entrance. It is located on the Dixie Highway and has telephone connection with Tarpon Springs and other towns. A draft of about 32 feet (1.1 m.) can be carried across the bar at high water, and there is fairly deep water in the river. Gasoline, oil, and provisions can be obtained here. Port Richie, at the entrance of the river, consists of a few houses and post office.

Hudson, about 14 miles north of Tarpon Springs, is a post office and fish house on Hudson Creek. A draft of 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 m.) can be carried into the creek on a favorable tide, but the entrance is difficult.

Aripeka is a post office and small settlement of a few houses, including an old sawmill on Indian Bay.

Bayport is a small village and post office on Wekiwoochee River, 24 miles north of Tarpon Springs. There is a hotel and general store, and gasoline, oil, and provisions can be obtained. There is road and telephone connection to Brookville, 18 miles away. A draft of about 4 feet (1.2 m.) can be carried by Bayport on a favorable tide. The channel begins close to southward of Beacon Rock, a prominent rock bare at high tide lying 21/4 miles offshore, and continues in a generally west by south direction among the oyster reefs into Wekiwoochee River. The channel is staked. Chassahowitzka River empties into Chassahowitzka Bay, 33 miles north of Anclote Keys Lighthouse. A draft of 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 m.) can be carried, on a favorable tide, to a small fishing settlement on the river. The channel is only partly staked and would be difficult for strangers. Black Rock, 211⁄2 miles offshore from the entrance to the river, shows above water at all stages of the tide. Chassahowitzka Point on the north side of the bay, is a prominent high mangrove island.

Homosassa is a small village on Homosassa River, about 4 miles from the entrance. It has railroad, telephone, and telegraph connection with Crystal River. There are four fish houses, a hotel, post office, and general store here. Gasoline, oil, ice, and provisions can be obtained. A draft of 4 feet (1.2 m.) can be carried to the village on a favorable tide, but the channel is not staked. To enter the river, pass about 214 miles northwestward of Chassahowitzka Point and head in a generally northeasterly direction, keeping in dark water, as the shoals on each side will show light colored. The course leads about 12 miles southward and southeastward of Homosassa Islands. When close to the shore the course turns eastward, then southward, and passes close to northward of Shell Island. Chart No. 179 is the guide.

Homosassa Islands are prominent mangrove islands located about 2 miles offshore on the north side of Homosassa Bay.

Crystal River enters the Gulf 46 miles northward of Anclote Keys Lighthouse and 23 miles east-southeastward of Cedar Keys.

The approach to the river is across a shoal and Crystal Reefs, through which a channel, 6 feet (1.8 m.) deep and 60 feet wide, has been dredged; this channel is subject to shoaling and in 1925 there was a least depth of about 4 feet (1.2 m.) at low water. Inside the mouth there is ample depth and 6 feet (1.8 m.) can be carried to the Cedar Mill wharf, and 4 feet (1.2 m.) to the fish wharf, at the town of Crystal River, 6 miles up the river. The channel is easily followed. The outer dredged channel through the reefs is marked by single pile beacons with white pointers. The commerce on the river consists of fish, oysters, and cedar logs, and is carried on by means of shallow-draft motor boats. The town of Crystal River has railroad, telephone, and telegraph connection with the interior of the State. Gasoline, oil, and provisions can be obtained, and some repairs to small boats can be made here. The mean tidal range at the mouth of the river is 1.5 feet.

To enter Crystal River, keep at least 5 miles offshore until beacon No. 1, a single-pile with white square day mark and pointer, and beacon No. 2, a single pile with white pointer, bear about east by north, and then steer for these beacons. Pass between beacons Nos. 1 and 2 and steer 55° true (NE. 34 E. mag.) passing to southward of beacon No. 3 and to northward of beacon No. 4. Pass between beacons Nos. 5 and 6 and steer 86° true (E. 11⁄2 N. mag.) through a dredged channel marked on both sides by beacons, into the entrance of the river. No directions for the river can be given other than to keep about in midstream.

WITHLACOOCHEE ANCHORAGE AND RIVER

Withlacoochee Anchorage lies 46 miles northward of Anclote Keys Lighthouse, 14 miles southeastward of Cedar Keys, and 71⁄2 miles offshore. The approach to the anchorage from deep water of the Gulf is marked by Withlacoochee Entrance Beacon No. 1, a five-pile dolphin with double white square day mark and pointer. Beacon No. 3, a three-pile dolphin with white square day mark and pointer, is located on the northeastern side of the anchorage and marks the channel leading to Port Inglis. The anchorage consists of a small basin among the shoals, locally known as the Loading Pool, which has been used by ocean-going vessels while loading cargoes brought out in lighters from Port Inglis. There is room in the pool for five vessels of not more than 16 feet (4.9 m.) draft. Withlacoochee River empties into the Gulf 71⁄2 miles northeastward of Withlacoochee anchorage, from which a channel 85 feet wide and 10 feet (3.0 m.) deep has been dredged through the reefs and shoals to Port Inglis at the mouth of the river. This channel has shoaled considerable and in 1925 the limiting depth was 7 feet (2.1 m.) at low water. Above Port Inglis the limiting depths are 8 feet (2.4 m.) to Inglis about 7 miles from the mouth of the river; from Inglis to the lock in Florida Power Co.'s dam, 10 miles above the mouth, 5 feet (1.5 m.); from the lock to Stocktons Ferry, 34 miles above the mouth, 4 feet (1.2 m.); from Stocktons Ferry to the head of navigation at Istachatta, 66 miles above the mouth, 2 feet (0.6 m.) during half the year and 1 foot (0.3 m.)

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