HARBORS AND PORTS, ETC. 3 ton Harbor, Port Royal, Tybee Roads, and Savannah River, Sapelo Sound, St. Simon Sound, Cumberland Sound, St. Johns River and Jacksonville, Port of Fort Pierce (Fort Pierce Inlet), Port of Palm Beach (Lake Worth Inlet), Port Everglades, Miami, and Key West. 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. The channels of the entrances to the larger and more important harbors are being improved by dredging, and in some cases by jetties which extend from both sides of the entrance seaward to deep water outside of the bars. At the improved entrances more dependence can be placed on the channel depths, as given in this volume, than on the bars of the harbors not under improvement. Masters of vessels bound to the harbors along this coast should, in cases where the given depths approximate the draft of their vessel, inquire of local pilots what draft is being taken in and out over the bar at that time. On the bars not under improvement the buoys are moved from time to time to indicate the channel; but they are liable to be dragged out of position and cannot always be immediately replaced, so that a stranger must use the greatest caution. A stranger should, if possible, select a rising tide for entering any of 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 easterly gales the sea breaks on most of the bars, and no stranger should then attempt to enter such harbors without the assistance of a pilot. Supplies. Coal can be obtained at Newport News, Norfolk, Beaufort (N. C.), Wilmington, Charleston, Port Royal, Savannah, Jacksonville, and Miami (advance notice is necessary in order to procure coal in any but limited quantities at Port Royal and Miami); fuel oil at the places named, excepting Beaufort and Port Royal. Water provisions, ship-chandler's stores, and gasoline can be had at the above cities and at all towns. Diesel oil can be secured at the larger cities. Repairs.-Newport News, Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah, and Jacksonville are the principal places at which extensive repairs to the hulls of vessels and machinery of steamers can be made. There are limited facilities for repairs at Elizabeth City, Washington (N. C.), New Bern, Wilmington, Georgetown, Brunswick, and Key West. Minor repairs can be made and small craft can be hauled out at several other places. Port facilities.-The facilities available for the handling and storage of cargo are described under the various ports. Legal holidays.-The following are legal holidays in the States of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida: January 1, New Year's Day. January 19, Lee's Birthday. February 22, Washington's Birthday. April 12, Halifax Resolutions (North Carolina only). May 10, Confederate Memorial Day (North Carolina only). May 20, Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence (North Carolina only). July 4, Independence Day. September (first Monday), Labor Day. November (first Tuesday after first Monday), election day (except in Georgia). November 11, Armistice Day (except in Georgia). November (last Thursday), Thanksgiving Day. December 25, Christmas Day. Sundays (when a legal holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday is observed). In the ports described in this volume stevedores are not prohibited by law, union rules, or other regulations from working ships on holidays, and it is possible to make arrangements in advance for work on such days. In most cases workmen receive extra pay for work on holidays, in accordance with rates fixed by agreement between the labor unions and ship operators. Communication is by regular lines of coasting steamers, by rail, by airplane, and by telephone, telegraph, and radio. There are lines of trans-Atlantic steamers operating from the larger ports, and railroad connections between the coastal cities and all parts of the country. The highway connections between the ports are excellent. There is direct airplane service between the more important cities, and between Miami and the Bahama Islands, Habana, and South America. Distances between ports.-The attention of mariners is called to the Coast and Geodetic Survey publication "Distances Between United States Ports, Serial No. 444 ", which may be secured from the agen LEGAL HOLIDAYS, COMMUNICATIONS, ETC. 5 cies of the service at the various ports and from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C. (price 10 cents). The tables of distances contained therein have been compiled for the purpose of giving, in condensed and convenient form, distances between ports of the United States and its off-lying territories. For ready reference and for use in combining these tables with those issued by other nations, a number of distances from the United States to foreign ports are also included. The table of distances given on page 6 contains the more important ports on the Atlantic seaboard southward of New York. NOTE.-Distances are in nautical miles. Those from ports north of Cape Hatteras to ports south of Jacksonville are along the outside route (outside the Gulf Stream between Cape Hatteras and Jupiter) recommended in this volume. Distances between ports south of Cape Hatteras are along the routes inside the Gulf Stream recommended in this volume. PILOTAGE, QUARANTINE AND MARINE HOSPITALS PILOTS AND PILOTAGE 7 Pilots cruise off Charleston Harbor and Savannah River entrances. At other ports pilots will come out upon previous notice by radio or otherwise or on vessels making signals for a pilot. Pilotage is compulsory for certain vessels entering from sea but is not compulsory for the interior waters inside the inlets. Pilots for parts of the inside_route are obtained at the larger cities and towns along the route. Pilot stations and rates of pilotage are given in the information concerning the various ports. In general, the charge for piloting in interior waters is by special agreement with the pilot. Harbor masters are appointed for the principal ports, and they have charge of the anchorage and berthing of vessels in their respective harbors. For harbor masters' fees, see information concerning the various ports. The laws prohibit the dumping of ashes or other materials in the channels. Towboats are stationed at Cape Fear River, Winyah Bay, Charleston Harbor, Savannah River, St. Simon Sound (Brunswick), St. Johns River, Miami, and Key West. Salvage equipment.-Tugs, lighters, and diving apparatus are available at Wilmington, Charleston, Savannah, Miami, and Key West for limited wrecking and salvaging operations. Equipment for extensive operations can be secured at Norfolk and Jacksonville. QUARANTINE AND MARINE HOSPITALS Quarantine for all ports within the limits of this volume is enforced in accordance with the regulations of the United States Public Health Service. National quaratine regulations will be found at the stations of the service and at American consulates, or will be furnished to vessels upon application, either by officers of the service or by the United States Public Health Service, Washington, D. C. Every vessel should be provided with the quarantine regulations. The folowing are the quarantine boarding stations within the limits covered by this volume: Cape Charles, Va.,1 address, Quaran tine, Fort Monroe, Va.; boarding and inspection station, Fort Monroe (Old Point Comfort), Va. Washington, N. C. Cape Fear (Southport), N. C.1 Georgetown (South Island), S. C. Savannah, Ga.1 Brunswick, Ga.1 Sound (Fernandina), Jacksonville, Fla.1 Key West, Fla.1 Medical relief.-American merchant seamen are entitled to free medical relief at the expense of the Government, through the United States Public Health Service at its established relief stations. A list of such stations in the region covered by this volume is given below. An American merchant seaman is one "engaged on board in the care, preservation, or navigation of any registered, enrolled, or li 1 Fumigation facilities at these ports. |