Marshallburg is a small town at the eastern end of The Straits. There are wharves and gasolene can be obtained.

A channel 5 feet deep has been dredged through Taylors Creek from Lenoxville Point, at the western end of The Straits, close along the mainland inside a row of marshy islands to the wharves at Beaufort.

A mail boat passes through Core Sound, stopping at the principal settlements, en route between Beaufort and Ocracoke.

Tidal currents of 1 to 2 knots may be found in the lower part of Core Sound.

DIRECTIONS (Pamlico Sound to Beaufort Harbor by way of Core Sound). The depths in Core Sound are affected by the winds, northerly and northeasterly winds causing high water, and westerly and southwesterly winds low water. Four feet is the maximum draft that can be carried through by a stranger. The route through Adams Creek Canal is preferred.

The channel through Core Sound and The Straits is marked on each side by lights on red or black structures. The red structures are left to starboard and the black to port going westward. The aids must be relied upon to keep in the best water, and the following general directions are intended only to assist in finding them. As a general rule run from beacon to beacon. Chart 421 is the best guide.

From Long Shoal lighthouse steer 224° true (SW. 14 W. mag.) for 3234 miles to a position 1/2 mile northwest of Royal Shoal northwest unused lighthouse (old tower), leaving Gull Shoal lighthouse 1% miles to starboard and Bluff Shoal lighthouse 114 miles to port. Then steer 197° true (S. by W. % W. mag.) for 9 miles to a position 600 yards east-northeastward of Harbor Island Bar lighthouse with the lighthouse ahead. The channel over Harbor Island Bar has a depth of 4 feet and is indefinite.

From Harbor Island Bar lighthouse the channel trends about 186° true (S. 7 W. mag.) for 35% miles to East Drum Shoal light (black structure), passing westward of Harbor Island (marked by a house) and Goulds Lump light (black structure), there are a few stakes on the east side of the channel; thence about 251° true (WSW. 5% W. mag.) for 1% miles to West Drum Shoal light (black_structure); thence about 217° true (SW. % S. mag.) for 15% miles to Lewis Creek light (black structure); thence 223° true (SW. 14 W. mag.) for 32 miles to White Point light (red structure); Halls Point light is left 1/4 mile to starboard on this course; thence 250° true (WSW. 5% W. mag.) for 11⁄2 mile to Atlantic light (black structure); thence 222° true (SW. 1% W. mag.) for 23% miles, passing Steep Point Light (red structure) and to Mill Point light (black structure); thence 260° true (W. 2 S. mag.) for 11⁄2 mile to Nelson Bay light (black structure); and thence 220° true (SW. mag.) for 17% miles to Piney Point light (black structure).

From Piney Point light the channel trends west-southwestward for 1/2 mile to Bretts Point light (black structure); and thence westnorthwestward and then southwestward over Piney Point Bar, where it is marked by Bretts Bay light (red structure) and Kings Point light (black structure).

From Kings Point light the channel trends 205° true (SSW. 5% W. mag.) for 34 miles, passing Davis Shore light (red structure) and to Davis Island light (black structure); thence 243° true (WSW. mag.) for 1% miles to Jarrets Bay light (black structure); and thence 160° true (S. by E. % E. mag.) for 114 miles to Bells Point light (black structure).

From Bells Point light the channel trends 247° true (WSW. % W. mag.) to Straits Entrance light (black structure), and continues westward through The Straits. The distance from Bells Point light to The Straits is 2 miles, and thence through The Straits to the west end of Harkers Island is 311⁄2 miles. The channel is narrow but well marked by lighted beacons on each side. Marshallburg is a small town at the eastern end of The Straits. There are wharves, and gasoline can be obtained. From North River light (black structure abreast the west end of Harkers Island) the channel crosses in a south-southwest direction to Shepherd Shoal light (red structure); thence westward to Middle Marshes light (red structure).

From this point boats desiring to go to Beaufort Inlet can continue for 3 mile past Middle Marshes light, then steer about 243° true (WSW. mag.) to Shackleford Point. Thence the channel trends west-northwestward to the main channel of Beaufort Harbor and is not marked.

But the more protected route, dredged to a depth of 5 feet and width of 40 feet, leads through Taylors Creek, close along the mainland to the wharves at Beaufort. The entrance is 1/4 mile northnorthwestward of Middle Marshes light, and is marked by a light on the east side. Pass close westward of Middle Marshes light and the light at the entrance and head for the wharf at Lenoxville Point until close to it. From here the channel leads westward, close along shore inside all of the islands, is marked by beacons at some of the turns and by spoil banks in places, and is easily followed.

Pamlico River empties into the northwestern part of Pamlico Sound from northwestward. The town of Washington, on the east bank, 31 miles above the entrance, is considered the head of navigation for sailing vessels. A channel 200 feet wide and 92 feet deep leads to the town, which ships lumber in barges and small schooners, and supplies to the villages and settlements on the shores of Pamlico Sound. There are marine railways at Washington, and bituminous coal, gasoline, water, and ice can be obtained. The river is crossed by three drawbridges at Washington. There is a relief station of the Public Health Service, and storm warnings are displayed. The water in the river above Core Point is usually fresh enough to use in the boilers of steamers.

Below Washington several navigable rivers and creeks empty into Pamlico River, the most important of which are Pungo River, Goose Creek, South Creek, Bath Creek, and Durham Creek.

Pungo River empties into Pamlico River from northward about 4 miles above the entrance. The channel is well marked by buoys and lights, and can be readily followed by a stranger for a distance of 15 miles. It then becomes narrow, but has a least channel depth of about 8 feet to Leachville, a village 1812 miles above its mouth; a drawbridge crosses the river at Leachville. A number of nav

igable creeks empty into Pungo River, from which logs are towed to Belhaven. The most important are Pungo Creek and Slade Creek. Slade Creek empties into Pungo River from eastward 4 miles above Wade Point. A depth of 7 feet can be taken 2 miles above the entrance, and 4 feet 12 miles farther.

Pango Creek empties into Pungo River from westward 14 miles southwestward of Belhaven. A drawbridge crosses the narrow part of the creek 214 miles above the entrance. A depth of 7 fect can be taken just above the bridge, and 6 feet about 2 miles farther. Pantego Creek empties into Pungo River from northward 811⁄2 miles above Wade Point. On the eastern bank, just inside the entrance of the creek, is the town of Belhaven, which is the terminus of a railroad, and ships lumber and oysters by rail and lumber in barges. The channel of the creek has a depth of 9 feet to Belhaven and 8 feet can be taken 214 miles above its entrance. Gasoline, ice, water, and generally some coal can be had at Belhaven. There is a depth of 9 feet at the railroad wharf, and but little depth at the other wharves. A drawbridge crosses just above Belhaven.

Goose Creek empties into Pamlico River from southward about 612 miles above its entrance. The entrance to the creek is obstructed by shoals, through which a narrow but deep channel, marked by buoys and Reeds Hammock light, leads into the creek, which has a channel depth of 11 feet for a distance of 3 miles. Campbell Creek, Upper and Lower Spring Creek, Eastham Creek, Snode Creek, and Dixon Creek are navigable tributaries of Goose Creek. Logs are towed from the creek. Reeds Hammock light, on the northwest side of the channel at the entrance, is located in a depth of about 9 feet near the end of the shoal which extends 1/2 mile east-southeastward from the western point at the entrance. The shore eastward and westward of the entrance should be given a berth of over 1/2 mile until the light bears between south and west-southwest.

South Creek empties into Pamlico River from southward about 9 miles above its entrance. The deeper entrance leads southward of Indian Island and the shoal connecting the island with Hickory Point and is buoyed. Indian Island Slue is a dredged cut, good for vessels of 5 feet draft, across the shoal between Indian Island and Hickory Point. The course through the cut is 178° true (S. 1% W. mag.), passing close to the two buoys which mark it, and about 100 yards eastward of Indian Island Slue light.

South Creek has a least channel depth of 8 feet for a distance of 4 miles above Hickory Point. Aurora, a village on the railroad 61⁄2 miles above Hickory Point, is reached through a dredged channel 100 feet wide and 7 feet deep. The dredged channel follows the line of deepest water as shown on the chart, but local knowledge is needed to carry the best water above Point of Marsh. A drawbridge with a clear width of 2012 feet crosses the river just above Aurora, and a railroad bridge, which is practically the head of navigation, crosses at Royal, 114 miles above Aurora.

Bond Creek is on the south side of South Creek southward of Hickory Point. It has a depth of 7 feet to the wharf at the sawmill and post office of South Creek. To enter, pass northward and 1/4 mile westward of buoy No. 1; then steer 207° true (SSW. 34 W. mag.) for the entrance and be guided by the buoys to the wharf.

North Creek empties into Pamlico River from northward about 12 miles above Pamlico Point lighthouse. Its buoyed channel is good for a depth of 7 feet. Some lumber is shipped out.

Durham Creek empties into Pamlico River from southward about 171⁄2 miles above its mouth and 2/2 miles westward of Rumley Marsh light. The creek is navigable for a draft of 5 feet nearly to Bonners Bridge, a distance of 4 miles above its mouth. A sawmill and wharf, with 6 feet at its end, are located on the west side 1⁄2 mile above the entrance. There are no aids except a private beacon, which marks the west side of the narrowest part of the channel at the entrance. Bath Creek empties into Pamlico River from northward, 311⁄2 miles northwestward of Rumley Marsh light. A draft of 62 feet can be taken to the village of Bath, about 14 miles above its mouth, and a draft of 5 feet can be taken about 4 miles above the entrance. A drawbridge crosses the creek at the upper end of Bath. The most difficult place in the channel to Bath is in the narrowest part of the entrance, where a shoal which shows by the grass on it extends halfway across from the west side, and rises abruptly from the channel. The eastern end of this shoal is marked by a lighted beacon.

Blount Creek empties into Pamlico River from southward, 22 miles westward of Mauls Point light. A draft of 6 feet can be taken into the creek, and 4 feet can be taken about 4 miles above the drawbridge which crosses about 3 mile above the entrance.

Tar River, which is the continuation of Pamlico River above Washington, has a channel 3 feet deep to Greenville, 19 miles; 20 inches deep to Tarboro, 43 miles; and the river is clear of snags to Little Falls, 77 miles. The head of navigation is Dunbar Bridge, 94 miles above Washington. Above Greenville to Fishing Creek the river is navigable for light-draft steamers of 3 to 5 feet only 4 to 6 months during the winter season. Fishing Creek is a branch of Tar River, 49 miles above Washington; is obstructed by a snag 2 miles above its mouth and above it is in bad condition. Navigable stages of 3 to 5 feet are generally available for 4 to 6 months of the winter

season.

Tides. There are practically no tides, the variations in water level being due principally to winds. Easterly winds cause high water and westerly winds low water, the maximum variation with heavy gales amounting to about 2 feet above or below the normal in the lower part of the river and 3 or 4 feet, or even more at Washington. Freshets of 10 to 20 feet occur in the upper reaches of the river above Washington, but have little effect at and below the town.

DIRECTIONS (Pamlico River to Washington).-Directions from Croatan Sound through Pamlico Sound are given on page 151.

From a position 1/4 mile southward of Bluff Shoal lighthouse steer 275° true (W. 34 N. mag.) for 114 miles, passing 34 mile southward of the horizontally striped buoy at the southeasterly end of Lower Middle and 1 mile southward of the lighted beacon at the southwesterly end of Inner Middle. When this beacon is abeam, steer 308° true (NW. 14 W. mag.) for 91⁄2 miles, passing 1/2 mile northeastward of Pamlico Point lighthouse (house on piles; fixed white).

When Pamlico Point lighthouse bears 176° true (S. mag.), steer 294° true (NW. by W. 1⁄2 Ŵ. mag.) for 61⁄4 miles to a position 3/4 mile

south-southwestward of Pungo River light (red and black slatted pile structure). Then steer 284° true (WNW. 3% W. mag.) for 10 miles to a position 300 yards southward of Rumley Marsh light, red slatted pile structure. Then steer 291° true (NW. by W. 34 W. mag.) for 4 miles to a position 1/4 mile northward of the black spar buoy off Core Point. Then steer 286° true (WNW. 14 W. mag.) for nearly 4 miles to a position 200 yards northward of Mauls Point light.

From a position 200 yards northward of Mauls Point light steer 281° true (WNW. 5% W. mag.) for 15% miles until abreast buoy No. 6, and then steer 297° true (NW. by W. 14 W. mag.) for 14 miles to a position 300 yards southward of buoy No. 8. Then steer 315° true (NW. 3% N. mag.), pass a little over 1/4 mile off Hills Point, and continue the course to a position 100 feet southwestward of Hills Creek light (red structure), at the entrance to the dredged cuts.

Then steer 303° true (NW. 34 W. mag.) to a position 100 feet southwestward of Fork Point light (red structure). Then steer 321° true (NW. % N. mag.) for the high black water tank in Washington showing midway between McWilliams Point Shoal light (red structure) and Rodman Point Shoal light (black structure), and pass these lights at a distance of 100 feet. (In hazy weather a water tank at Austin Point may be seen before the one in Washington.) From a position 100 feet northeastward of Rodman Point Shoal light steer 309 true (NW. 1% W. mag.) and pass 100 feet northeastward of Windmill Point Shoal light (black structure). Then steer 326° true (NNW. W. mag.) for the draw, pass preferably through the eastern opening, and continue the course to the wharves, which should be followed at a distance of about 150 feet. Vessels should go to the wharves. A dredged channel leads eastward from the main channel, 300 yards above Rodman Point Shoal light, thence parallel to the shore to the dock of the chemical factory near Austin Point.

DIRECTIONS (Pungo River to Belhaven).-Having followed the directions from Pamlico River above, pass 1/2 mile northeastward of Pamlico Point lighthouse and steer 310° true (NW. % W. mag.) for 7 miles to the middle of the entrance of Pungo River, or, coming down Pamlico River, pass southward of the horizontally striped buoy off Wade Point, and about 1/2 mile southward and eastward of Pungo River light (on southeast end of shoal off Wade Point).

Then steer 344° true (N. by W. % W. mag.) for Woodstock Point light and pass 1/4 to 3% mile westward of buoy No. 2 off Currituck Point and 200 yards eastward of buoy No. 1 off Grassy Point. Then steer 336° true (N. by W. 34 W. mag.) and pass 300 yards westward of buoy No. 4. Then steer 349° true (N. 5% W. mag.) to a position 200 yards eastward of Woodstock Point light. Then steer 328° true (NNW. 21⁄2 W. mag.), pass 250 yards westward of buoy No. 8, and to a position 350 yards southwestward of Pantego Creek light (red slatted structure). Then steer 319° true (NW. 34 N. mag.) for the outer end of the upper wharf house of Belhaven; anchor in midchannel below the buoys, or continue past them and anchor in midchannel just above the railroad wharf.

Bay River empties into the western part of Pamlico Sound from westward, the entrance being just north of the mouth of Neuse River and about 5 miles north-northeastward of Neuse River lighthouse. The entrance is marked by Maw Point Shoal and Bay Point