DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR,
COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY,
WASHINGTON, D. C., March 7, 1912.

This publication is based mainly upon the work of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, including the results of special examinations and investigations by a party on the Coast and Geodetic Survey steamer Hydrographer in 1910, in connection with its preparation.

The system adopted in this publication includes

I. A tabular description of all lighthouses, light vessels, and fog signals; lists of lifesaving stations, and Weather Bureau storm warning display stations; and information regarding tides, tidal currents, variation of the compass, etc.

II. General information concerning the several bodies of water and harbors, including notes relative to pilots and pilotage, towboats, depth of water, draft of vessels entering, harbor and quarantine regulations, supplies, facilities for making repairs, usual or best anchorages, and other matters of practical interest. In each case the information of this nature precedes the sailing directions and is printed in smaller type.

III. Sailing directions, with subordinate paragraphs treating of prominent objects, dangers, aids to navigation, etc. In the arrangement adopted the aim has been to conform, as far as practicable, to the order in which these matters would be considered in practice, and to render available such information as may be wanted promptly.

IV. Appendices.

The first edition of this volume was prepared by Lieut. Edwin H. Tillman, United States. Navy, assisted by Mr. John Ross. In the present (third) edition the text has been revised and brought up to date by Mr. Herbert C. Graves, assisted by Mr. C. L. Warwick and Mr. E. Vance Miller, under the direction of J. J. Gilbert, assistant, Coast and Geodetic Survey, inspector of hydrography and topography.

Great courtesy has been shown by local authorities in furnishing information desired for incorporation in this work.

The aids to navigation are corrected to March 7, 1912.

Navigators will confer a favor by notifying the Superintendent of the Coast and Geodetic Survey of errors which they may discover, or of additional matter which they think should be inserted for the good of mariners.

O. H. TITTMANN,
Superintendent.

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NOTE.

The courses and bearings given in degrees are true, reading clockwise from 0° at north to 360°, and are followed by the equivalent magnetic value in points in parenthesis. General directions, such as northeastward, west-southwestward, etc., are magnetic.

All distances and current velocities are in nautical miles, except where otherwise stated. Except where otherwise stated, all depths are at mean low water.

In winter when whistling buoys, bell buoys, lighted buoys, can buoys, and nun buoys are in danger of being carried away by ice, they are taken up and replaced by spar or spar-shaped buoys.

It must be remembered that in the thoroughfares and inside passages the aids are colored and numbered for entering from eastward.

All charts referred to in this volume are published by the Coast and Geodetic Survey, and can be obtained at the agencies, a list of which is given on pages 7-8.

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SYSTEM OF BUOYAGE ADOPTED IN UNITED STATES WATERS.

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:

1. In approaching the channel, etc., from seaward, RED BUOYS, with EVEN NUMBERS, Will be found on the STARBOARD side.

2. In approaching the channel, etc., from seaward, BLACK BUOYS, with ODD NUMBERS, will be found on the PORT side.

3. 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. 4. Buoys painted with WHITE and BLACK PERPENDICULAR STRIPES will be found in MIDCHANNEL, 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.