Ballast is discharged 1 mile eastward of this anchorage. The upper anchorage, sometimes used for loading part cargoes, is between 2 and 4 miles westward of the northeastern end of St. George Island, and south of a line between a black beacon and a red beacon which mark the channel to Apalachicola Bay. The quarantine anchorage is between one-half and 1 mile south of the beacons at the entrance to the Carrabelle River, and has depths of 16 to 19 feet (4.9 m. to 5.8 m.). At all these anchorages vessels can ride out any gale in safety.

In Apalachicola Bay vessels can anchor anywhere after passing inside of Sand Island. Light-draft vessels find very good anchorage about 1 mile south of the entrance to the dredged channel leading into the mouth of Apalachicola River.

Quarantine. The quarantine officer is stationed at Carrabelle. Vessels subject to visitation are boarded at the quarantine anchorage south of the town.

Hospital. A relief station of the United States Public Health Service is located at Apalachicola. The nearest marine hospital is at Mobile.

Customs officers are stationed at Apalachicola.

Storm warnings are displayed at Carrabelle and Apalachicola. Tides and currents.-At East Pass the mean tidal range is about 1.7 feet. The tidal currents are strong, sometimes having a velocity of 3 to 4 knots, and ordinarily at least 1 knot. They usually set across the shoals at an angle with the channel, and great care should therefore be taken not to be set toward the shoals on either hand.

The mean range of tide at West Pass and in Apalachicola Bay is about 1.5 feet. The currents are influenced by the winds and by freshets, and at times are very strong, especially the ebb; at flood they are generally weak. A velocity of 3 knots has been observed in the channel at a point inside the bar about 11⁄4 miles eastward of the bell buoy.

The ebb current runs out through West Pass and divides, part going to the southward over the breakers and part following the deeper water to the bar, the latter being the stronger.

DIRECTIONS, ST. GEORGE SOUND AND APALACHICOLA BAY

East Pass. Coming from eastward on a clear day the trees on Lighthouse Point will be seen from southward of South Shoal buoy, and shortly afterwards the trees on the eastern end of Dog Island will be made out on the starboard bow. In a heavy sea a deep-draft vessel should keep in 5 to 7 fathoms (9 to 13 m.) until the bell buoy marking the entrance to East Pass is about in range with the lighthouse of Crooked River range, on the northwest side of the sound, bearing about 332° true (NNW. 34 W. mag.). Enter the dredged channel on this course and pass the buoys close-to. If Crooked River range can be picked up, it is of great assistance in keeping in the channel, but it does not show well from outside the bar. The channel through East Pass is narrow and subject to change, and has shoals, with as little depth as 5 feet (1.5 m.) over them, close-to on both sides. Inside the pass the chart and the buoys are the guides. Directions to Carrabelle.-After entering St. George Sound by East Pass and when past the west end of Dog Island, steer 23° true

(N. by E. 34 E. mag.) so as to pass 350 yards westward of the island and 200 yards westward of can buoy No. 11. When this buoy is abeam steer 15° true (N. by E. 1% E. mag.) with Carrabelle River Entrance Light No. 2 (fixed red) slightly on the starboard bow. The shoal westward of the Turn Buoy No. 2 makes out well to southwestward of Carrabelle River beacon (black, day mark on single pile) and should be carefully avoided. Pass about 100 yards to westward of Turn Buoy No. 2 and when nearly up to the Entrance Light, the Carrabelle River range, two lighted beacons in the mouth of the river, the front a black structure showing a red light and the rear a white structure showing a white light, will close, bearing about 330° true (NNW. 7% W. mag.). Steer this range and leave the front range beacon 50 feet on the port hand and follow the trend of the east bank, keeping in mid river to the first wharves and then less than 100 feet off the wharves.

St. George Sound to Apalachicola.-Make Royal Bluff Shoals buoy No. 2 and head for the Turn Light (red, square, pyramidal, slatted structure on piles, white light) on course 243° true (SW. by W. 14 W. mag.) passing 250 yards north of Mud Island Flats beacon and 100 yards south of the channel beacon. When up to the Turn Light, steer 203° true (S. by W. 34 W. mag.) passing close to eastward of this light and about 100 yards to eastward of Porter Bar Light (red, square, pyramidal, slatted structure on piles, red light). When about 300 yards past Porter Bar Light, change course to 268° true (W. 2 S. mag.) and continue for 134 miles until the lighted range marking the dredged channel through Bulkhead Shoals comes on range. This cut is 100 feet wide and 8 feet (2.4 m.) deep, but strong currents often set across the channel and care must be taken to keep on the range. Steer this range passing to southwestward of red buoys Nos. 4 and 6. When about 300 yards past buoy No. 6, change course to 252° true (WSW. % W. mag.) with the light (fixed white), marking the entrance to the dredged cut leading to Apalachicola River, slightly on the starboard bow. Rounding this light sharply, head 351° true (N. by W. mag.) on Apalachicola range, with the bulkhead 25 yards on the starboard hand. This range is low and does not show well because of the vapor rising from the river. In 1925 the dredged channel was 100 feet wide and 712 feet (2.3 m.) deep, but it is subject to rapid shoaling.

West Pass to Apalachicola. The channel across the bar is subject to such frequent and marked changes that no definite courses can be given, and strangers are advised not to attempt to enter without a pilot. The best water across the bar is indicated by one black and three red buoys, which are shifted frequently to conform to changes in the channel. Pass to southward of the black buoy and to northward of the red buoys, and then steer 682° true (NE. by E. 34 E. mag.) on West Pass range, the lights of which are on pyramidal structures on piles, the front, a red light on a red day mark and the rear, a white light on a white day mark. When up to the black buoy just inside of Sand Island, haul southward and bring the lights of Sand Island Cut range in line, bearing 130° true (SE. 34 E. mag.). These lights are of the same type as those of the first range and are close inshore. Steer this range until nearly up with the front light, and then steer so as to leave it 100 yards on the

starboard hand and to leave the second white light (white beacon), which is eastward of the rear range light, about 1/4 mile on the starboard hand. Bring this last light on range with Cape George Lighthouse (showing over the trees) and steer 31° true (NNE. 12 E. mag.). This range leads to the dredged channel into Apalachicola River.

INLAND WATERWAY BETWEEN APALACHICOLA BAY AND ST. ANDREW BAY

The completion of that section of the intracoastal waterway which lies between Apalachicola Bay and St. Andrew Bay has made available a safe inland passage for small craft inside of Cape San Blas. This passage was dredged to a depth of 6 feet (1.8 m.) (project depth 5 feet (1.5 m.) and width 65 feet), but shoaling has occurred at the entrance to Wetappo River with a least depth in 1925 of 31⁄2 feet (1.1 m.). One drawbridge and 2 ferries cross the channel, the bridge 18 miles and the ferries 20 and 30 miles above Apalachicola. The canal is free of tolls and has no locks. The distance from the town of Apalachicola to Panama City, on St. Andrew Bay, is about 53 miles by this passage, of which about 24 miles is through the canal and improved creeks.

The route follows Apalachicola River for 5 miles, until 134 miles above the railroad bridge, Jackson River for 4 miles, Lake Wimico, Searcy Creek, South Prong, Wetappo River, and East Bay, an arm of St. Andrew Bay. The channel through Wetappo River and the eastern part of East Bay has been dredged to a depth of 6 feet (1.8 m.), but shoaling has occurred to a least depth of 312 feet (1.1 m.) at the entrance to Wetappo River. The dredged channel across Lake Wimico and at the entrance to Wetappo River is marked by stakes. The channel is tidal throughout.

ST. JOSEPH BAY

lies northward of Cape San Blas and is separated from the Gulf by a long narrow strip of land and succession of low sand hills, wooded in places, extending northward from the cape. The bay is 1111⁄2 miles long and varies in width from 2 miles at its entrance to 511⁄2 miles at its widest part. It is one of the best harbors on the Gulf coast and is easily entered at any time by vessels of a moderate draft. The entrance is across shoals varying in depth from 15 to 19 feet (4.6 to 5.8 m.), and has an improved channel 300 feet wide and 24 feet (7.3 m.) deep. The dredged channel is subject to little change and is well marked by buoys and a slow range. The course from the entrance whistling buoy on the range is 60° true (NE. by E. mag.). A swash channel having a depth of 14 feet (4.3 m.), follows the shore of St. Joseph Point at a distance of one-fourth mile and passes between the shore and a shoal of about 8 feet (2.4 m.) depth. The entire bay, except for the southern third and a narrow shelf along the sides, is free from shoals and is from 24 to 36 feet (7.3 to 11 m.) deep. Small craft can find protected anchorages in Eagle Harbor, a small bight in the west shore 6 miles south of St. Joseph Point, and in the narrow sloughs in the south end of the bay.

The wreck of the barge Avio is located off the wharf at Port St. Joe. The wreck lies in a northeast and southwest direction, and has

a least depth over it of 8 feet (2.4 m.). A red and black nun buoy is located 20 yards from the northeast end of the wreck. The buoy is in 24 feet (7.3 m.) of water and lies 188 yards 258° from the end of the wharf of Port St. Joe.

Port St. Joe is a small mill town and lumber shipping port on the east shore; it has railroad communication with Apalachicola. The wharf at Port St. Joe has a depth of 22' feet (6.7 m.) and has fresh water piped throughout. The water is taken from deep wells and is charged with minerals that render it unpleasant for drinking. Coal in limited quantities can be had. Pilots are stationed at Port St. Joe. The nearest customs officer is at Apalachicola. Storm warnings are displayed at Port St. Joe. Vessels going to Port St. Joe notify the customs officer at Apalachicola of their arrival, and he comes to the vessel at the first opportunity. Vessels in ballast may begin loading at once, if desirable, without awaiting the arrival of the customs officer. To clear, the master goes by rail to the customs office at Apalachicola.

The broken ground from the dredged channel into St. Joseph Bay northwestward to St. Andrew Point is known as Bell Shoal. It has depths of 16 feet (4.9 m.) near the dredged channel, but much shoaler depths approaching St. Andrew Point. The point should be given a berth of 3 miles. Crooked Island is a long, narrow island extending northwestward from St. Andrew Point to the entrance to St. Andrew Bay. It incloses a shallow, unimportant body of water known as St. Andrew Sound.

ST. ANDREW BAY

is a narrow, irregularly shaped, landlocked harbor of moderate depth, lying 27 miles northwestward of Cape San Blas. The entrance, southeastward of Hurricane Island, is obstructed by a shifting bar, which has been improved by dredging a channel 200 feet wide and 22 feet (6.7 m.) deep. St. Andrew Bay is the approach to the tributary inlets of East, West, and North Bays and to several towns and villages. The bay has some little commerce in lumber and naval stores.

East Bay is an arm of St. Andrew Bay, extending in a general east-southeasterly direction for about 18 miles. It is from threeeighth mile to 214 miles wide, and has a channel depth of 20 to 40 feet (6.1 to 12.2 m.) for 9 miles, and 12 feet (3.7 m.) for a farther distance of 3 miles. The inland waterway from Apalachicola Bay reaches the head of East Bay by way of Wetappo River. Daily mail and passenger boats run from the small settlements at the head of East Bay to Panama City and St. Andrew.

North Bay, extending in a northeasterly direction from St. Andrew Bay, is from three-eighths mile to 21/4 miles wide, and has a channel depth of 12 feet (3.7 m.) for 5 miles, and 5 feet (1.5 m.) to Bayhead, a village at the head of the bay. Several small, unimportant streams enter the bay at its head. Southport, on Fanning Bayou, is a post office and railroad terminal. A draft of 6 feet (1.8 m.) can be taken to the end of the wharf here. Gasoline, oil, and provisions can be obtained. Lynn Haven is a summer resort on the east shore of North Bay. A small yacht basin is formed by a bulkhead to which a draft of 6 feet (1.8 m.) can be carried. Pass

close to westward of the bulkhead. It has telephone and road connections with the other towns on St. Andrew Bay. Gasoline, oil, and provisions can be obtained. Daily boat service is maintained between Southport, Lynn Haven, and Bayhead. A drawbridge, with span of ample width, crosses North Bay about one-half mile above Lynn Haven.

West Bay, extending in a northwesterly direction from St. Andrew Bay, is 2 miles wide, and has a depth of 12 feet (3.7 m.) for 5 miles, and 8 feet (2.4 m.) for a farther distance of 3 miles, to near its head.

In East, West, and North Bays the deepest water is generally found near the middle of the bay, and, in the absence of marks or definite information, strangers should keep about midway between the shores.

St. Andrew is a town of about 1,500 inhabitants on St. Andrew Bay. Drafts of 14 to 16 feet (4.3 to 4.9 m.) can be taken to the wharves here. Gasoline, oil, provisions, and fresh water can be obtained. Storm warning signals are displayed here.

Panama City is a town of about 2,000 inhabitants. Drafts of 7 to 10 feet (2.1 to 3 m.) can be carried to the wharves, and 10 feet (3 m.) can be carried through a dredged cut into the yacht harbor in Panama Bayou, east of the town. This cut is marked by a row of piles which are placed about 10 yards to westward of the center of the channel. A drawbridge crosses the bayou near its mouth. Gasoline, provisions, fresh water, and some ship chandlery can be obtained here. There is a marine railway in Panama Bayou capable of hauling boats up to 7 feet draft and 60 tons. Some machine repairs can also be made.

Millville, on Watson Bayou, is a town of about 2,000 inhabitants, and is a lumber shipping port of some importance. A draft of 13 feet (4 m.) can be carried to the wharves, where there are depths of 12 to 15 feet (3.7 to 4.6 m.). Lumber schooners come to Millville to load, but large ships go to Bay Harbor. There are ways of 800 tons capacity here capable of hauling vessels up to a draft of 9 feet (2.7 m.) forward and 12 feet (3.6 m) aft and a length of 200 feet. Coal, gasoline, and provisions can be obtained.

Bay Harbor is the principal loading port for large steamers. A draft of 21 feet (6.4 m.) can be carried to the wharf here. The town has a population of only about 300, and few supplies can be obtained, but these can be had at Millville or Panama City. A wreck. of a large steamer with most of it showing above water, lies southwestward of the wharf.

These four towns all have railroad communication with the interior of the State, and steamer communication with Apalachicola, Pensacola, and Mobile. Mail and passenger boats also make regular trips between these towns and the small villages on the other arms of the bay.

Prominent features.-Approaching the entrance to St. Andrew Bay from seaward, the shore at first appears as a low, unbroken line of woods. Upon nearer approach the sand beach shows in an unbroken, white line, with the exception of the entrances through East and West Passes, which show as dark breaks in the white expense. These breaks, together with the range beacons, are the