Vessels drawing 10 feet (3.0 m), bound southward and westward, may use this channel with great advantage, avoiding entirely the adverse current of the Gulf Stream and finding comparatively smooth water in all winds, except when passing the large openings between the reefs in southerly winds; these openings are principally between Alligator Reef Lighthouse and American Shoal Lighthouse. Steamers, or sailing vessels with a leading wind, may run the courses through this channel without difficulty. Sailing vessels drawing more than 7 feet (2.1 m) are advised not to try to beat through without a pilot.

Dangers. A shoal of 82 feet (2.6 m) is 5% mile 345° true from Ragged Key Beacon No. 5, eastward of Ragged Keys.

A shoal of 9 feet (2.7 m) is about 300 yards west of Bache Shoal Beacon 9BS, eastward of the northern part of Elliot Key.

A stub of an old piling with 32 feet (1.0 m) of water over it lies 175 yards northwest of Pacific Reef Beacon No. 5.

Eastward of Key Largo, 17 yards westward of Basin Hill Beacon 31BH, is a cluster of three broken iron stubs with 3 feet (0.9 m) of water over them.

The wreck of a barge which has grounded and is still intact is located about 6,100 yards 252° true from Carysfort Reef Lighthouse. A pile is located about 700 yards east of beacon 31 and 8,900 yards 26612° true from Carysfort Reef Lighthouse.

Pilots can generally be found at Miami, or they may be had at Key West and from the small vessels which will sometimes be found cruising among the reefs.

Strangers using this channel must anchor at night, which can be done where the bottom is soft. Where the bottom is hard, the holding ground is bad, and vessels are liable to drag if it blows freshly. Following is a description of the anchorages, given in their order when approaching from northward.

Cape Florida Anchorage is a good anchorage for vessels of about 9-foot (2.7 m) draft, and especially for small craft, just inside Cape Florida. To enter, follow the beacons of the Biscayne Channel (see directions for Biscayne Bay) until about a mile above Cape Florida Shoal Light No. 2, and close to Biscayne Channel Inner Range Front Light No. 8. Pass close to the westward of this light and steer 313° true (NW. 14 W. mag.). Come to anchor about 300 yards westward of the south end of Cape Florida, with the unused light tower bearing northward of 69° true (ENE. mag.), in a depth of 12 to 20 feet (3.7 to 6.1 m).

Fowey Rocks Anchorage is about 14 miles westward of Fowey Rocks Lighthouse, is fairly well sheltered, and can be reached by vessels of about 14-foot (4.3 m) draft. Vessels of this draft may follow the directions for entering Hawk Channel and anchor 1/4 mile westward of Fowey Rocks Beacon No. 3V, on the north edge of a red sector of Fowey Rocks Light. Or, from outside pass 23% miles. northward of Fowey Rocks Lighthouse and steer 288° true (WNW. 12 W. mag.) for Cape Florida Shoal Light in range with Biscayne Channel Entrance Range Rear Light (Occ. W.) for 114 miles. Then steer 184° true (S. 114 W. mag.) for 1.4 miles to the anchorage noted above.

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Legare Anchorage lies between the reefs westward of Triumph Reef and 7 miles southwestward of Fowey Rocks Lighthouse. The bottom is mostly hard, but there are some soft spots on which vessels may anchor and ride out a moderate gale. The entrances are not marked, and the anchorage is not used.

Bowles Bank Anchorage, with depths of 14 to 16 feet (4.3 to 4.9 m), soft bottom in places, is good in all winds and lies about 1/2 mile north of Bache Shoal Beacon No. 9 BS., lying eastward of the north end of Elliott Key.

Caesar Creek Bank Anchorage, with depths of 10 to 12 feet (3.0 to 3.7 m), soft bottom, is good in all winds and lies on the west side of the channel between Margot Fish Shoal and Caesar Creek Bank. An excellent anchorage for small craft will be found in Caesar Creek, just north of Caesar Creek Bank. The entrance to the creek is marked by Caesar Creek Light No. 16, and it is reported that there is about 6 feet (1.8 m) on the bar. The channel is marked by private markers. There is also a secure anchorage between Adams, Meigs, and Elliott Keys. About 4 feet (1.2 m) can be carried through a privately marked channel into Biscayne Bay. This channel leads along the northwest side of Adams Key. A light and a stake with a pointer mark a range for passing over the flats to the deeper water in Biscayne Bay.

Key Largo Anchorage.-About 1/2 mile west of Key Largo Beacon No. 25, off the north end of Key Largo, with Carysfort Reef Lighthouse bearing about 150° true (SSE. 34 E. mag.), soft bottom in 14 feet (4.2 m) will be found, and vessels may here anchor in safety without regard to the direction of the wind.

Turtle Harbor is a well-sheltered anchorage between the reefs lying northwestward of Carysfort Reef Lighthouse. The entrance from the Straits of Florida is marked by buoys and beacons, and in smooth water a vessel of 15-foot (4.6 m) draft should have no trouble in entering. The depth in the approach ranges from 4 to 6 fathoms (7.3 to 11.0 m) and at the anchorage from 4 to 42 fathoms (7.3 to 8.2 m). The sea buoy (nun, red, no. 2, "Turtle Harbor ") lies 5 miles 30° true (NNE. 12 E. mag.) from Carysfort Reef Lighthouse. From the sea buoy a 274° true (W. 14 N. mag.) course for 21% miles will lead to Turtle Harbor Entrance Buoy (black and white vertical stripes). Then steer 220° true (SW. 5% S. mag.) for about 1 mile, pass about 100 yards westward of Ten-Foot Shoal Beacon No. Í and the same distance eastward of Middle Ground Northeast End Beacon No. 2. A south-southwesterly course will then lead about midway between Middle Ground Southeast Side Beacon No. 4 and Channel Port Side Beacon No. 3, and then steer about 215° true (SW. by S. mag.) to an anchorage in the vicinity of Turtle Harbor Anchorage Buoy (black and white vertical stripes).

Garden Cove is a shallow protected anchorage on the east side of Key Largo, at Key Largo City. Local knowledge is required to enter this anchorage with over 22-foot (0.7 m) draft, but the shelter and holding ground, when inside the cove, are reported good. The channel is marked by private finger boards and brush stakes. There is a small landing. Small quantities of provisions can be obtained near here.

Rodriguez Key.-Yachts and small craft can find shelter north of this key in all winds except in the northeast quadrant. Depths are essentially as charted.

Tavernier Key Anchorage.-Anchorage with soft bottom, in 16 to 20 feet (4.9 to 6.1 m), will be found with Tavernier Key bearing between west and northwest, distant about 1 mile, or anchor in 13 to 15 feet (4.0 to 4.6 m) from 1/2 to 3/4 mile westward or northward of Triangles Beacon 39. It is reported that there is an anchorage with a depth of 5 feet (1.5 m) northward of Tavernier Key.

There are two wrecks immediately northward of Tavernier Key; a boiler, awash at high water, lat. 25°00.1' N., long. 80°29.8′ W., and the wreck of a barge, least depth 112 feet (0.5 m) at mean low water, lat. 25°00.4' N., long. 80°30.3′ W.

Teatable Key Channel, formed during the hurricane in September 1935, lies west of Teatable Key and affords passage with a controlling depth of 7 feet (2.1 m) between Hawk Channel and the route north of the keys.

Lower Matecumbe Key.-A ferry slip has been dredged on the southwest point of the key, north of the railroad. The channel to the slip is well marked and has a depth of 6 feet (1.8 m) and over. There is a turning basin at its upper end.

Long Key Anchorage.-Soft bottom, in from 15 to 18 feet (4.5 to 5.5 m), will be found 3/4 mile westward of Long Key Beacon 30, but this anchorage is exposed to southerly winds.

Turtle Shoal Anchorage.-Fair anchorage in fine weather will be found in about 412 fathoms (8.2 m), soft bottom, about 1 mile west of East Turtle Shoal Light 45, and also 1 mile west of West Turtle Shoal Beacon 47, in from 4 to 6 fathoms (7.3 to 11.0 m).

Knights Key Anchorage.-This is a good anchorage about 3/4 mile southwestward of Knights Key, but it is exposed to southwesterly winds. To make this anchorage, bring Sombrero Key Lighthouse astern on a 343° true (N. by W. 5% W. mag.) course; anchor in 3 to 5 fathoms (5.4 to 9.1 m), sticky bottom. The westerly edge of a red sector in Sombrero Key Lighthouse leads to the anchorage. The west side of Knights Key should be given a berth of about 1/2 mile.

Hog Key.-An anchorage known locally as Boot Key Harbor lies close south of Hog Key. During the construction of the Florida East Coast Railway this was an important base of operations. Large quantities of worn-out and abandoned machinery and barges, etc., mark the location. A narrow channel with a least depth of about 6 feet (1.8 m) has been dredged to Hog Key and affords a secure harbor for launches and small craft. The entrance is about 3 mile southward of Knights Key and is marked by private beacons. The color of the banks is the best guide in the narrow channel.

Bahia Honda Harbor is now abandoned as an anchorage for vessels, and the aids are removed. The currents through the bridge have a velocity of 3 to 4 knots. There is head room of 19 feet (5.8 m) under the truss of the railroad viaduct.

No Name Key. There is a small dock at No Name Key immediately north of the ferry slip. A dredged channel with a reported controlling depth of 8 feet (2.4 m) and marked by private pointer

beacons leads from the deeper waters of Big Spanish Key Channel parallel to the ferry causeway to the turning basin off the dock. Gasoline and some supplies may be obtained.

Newfound Harbor Keys.-There is a good anchorage in the channel close northwest from the Newfound Harbor Keys. There is a fishing camp and dock with a reported depth of 15 feet (4.6 m) at its face in the anchorage. Gasoline and some supplies can be obtained. To enter, head northeast for New Found Harbor Anchorage Beacon 2 on the point of shoal west of the keys. It is reported that the beacon stands in deep water and should be passed close to westward.

Loggerhead Key anchorage, with a depth of 15 feet (4.6 m), soft bottom, is about 3/4 mile eastward of Loggerhead Key and about 1 mile north-northeast of Loggerhead Key Beacon No. 34. This is a fair anchorage in all but southerly winds. When going to the anchorage, pass at least 1/4 mile eastward of the beacon.

Pirates Cove.-A fishing camp and boat harbor with wharves are located at Pirates Cove, Sugarloaf Key. Gasoline, fresh water, and telephone_connection are available. There is a railroad station. nearby. It is reached by the channel leading to Sugarloaf Key from Loggerhead Key Beacon No. 34, passing east of Loggerhead Key. It is reported that the best entrance is made by running north from American Shoal and through the channel, partly marked by finger boards, midway between Loggerhead and Sugarloaf Keys. It is reported that there is a depth of 3 feet (0.9 m) in this channel. Local knowledge is absolutely necessary for entrance to Pirates Cove. Sugarloaf Channel, lying between Sugarloaf and Cudjoe Keys, has been marked by beacons from Hawk Channel on the south to a junction on the north with the passage among the keys between Big Spanish Key Channel and Key West. Sugarloaf Channel is crossed by two bridges with 9-foot (2.7 m) headroom, and is suitable for shallow craft only.

West Washerwoman Anchorage, with a depth of 334 fathoms (6.8 m), soft bottom, lies 11 miles 295° true (WNW. mag.) of Nine-Foot Shoal Light.

Saddle Hill Anchorage, with a depth of 414 fathoms (7.6 m), soft bottom, lies 1 mile 268° true (W. % S. mag.) of Pelican Key Beacon 55.

Saddlebunch Harbor and Boca Chica Channel, 102 and 41⁄2 miles eastward of Key West, were formerly used as hurricane anchorages for small boats, but it is reported that the anchorage areas have been greatly reduced by bridges of the new highway.

DIRECTIONS, HAWK CHANNEL

The following directions are good for a draft of 9 feet (2.7 m) with daylight and moderately smooth sea. A draft of 10 feet (3.0 m) has been taken through Hawk Channel, but it requires local knowledge and a smooth sea.

A detailed description of the dangers in Hawk Channel is impracticable as well as useless. The navigator must rely wholly upon the charts and aids. The beacons and buoys cannot always be distinguished by their color, as they are soon discolored by the sea birds

which alight on them. There are also a number of beacons (spindles with vanes) which are intended for the guidance of vessels skirting along outside the reefs.

The flood current has a northwesterly or northerly set, and the ebb a southerly or southeasterly set. The normal velocity of the currents is about 1/2 knot, but this may be increased considerably by strong winds. The currents have their greatest velocity abreast of the openings between the keys.

Hawk Channel can be entered from seaward at several points.

Pacific Reef Channel has ample depths for vessels that use Hawk Channel. The entrance is north of the lighthouse, and the channel is marked by beacons. The chart is a sufficient guide.

Turtle Harbor Channel.-The entrance to Turtle Harbor from seaward is described on page 284. Vessels can enter Hawk Channel from this harbor by proceeding a short distance south of the perpendicularly striped buoy in mid harbor and then heading a little north of Turtle Harbor Beacon No. 27 on a 270° true (W. mag.) course.

Molasses Reef Channel has a controlling depth of about 8 feet (2.4 m). The entrance is just south of the light, and the shoalest part of the channel is marked by beacons. The chart is a sufficient guide.

Courses and distances, Hawk Channel, Miami to Key West [Abbreviations: F., fixed; Fl., flashing; Occ., occulting; W., white; R., red; dist., distant]