UNITED STATES COAST PILOT. ATLANTIC COAST-SECTION D. CAPE HENRY TO KEY WEST. The information contained in this volume, Section D of the "United States Coast Pilot, Atlantic Coast," relates to the coast from Cape Henry to Key West, a distance of over 1,000 miles, embracing the coasts of a part of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. From Cape Henry to Cape Florida the general character of the coast is low and sandy, backed by woods, the highest land (63 feet) near the coast being Mount Cornelia, just northward of the entrance of St. Johns River. The principal harbors lie between Cape Lookout and St. Johns River, the stretches of the coast northward and southward of these limits being broken only by a number of unimportant inlets. Between Winyah Bay and St. Johns River the shore is very broken, the harbors, inlets, and sounds being in many cases but little over 10 miles apart. This part of the coast has shoals which extend off from 3 to 8 miles. Cape Hatteras, Cape Lookout, Cape Fear, Cape Romain, and Cape Canaveral are distinguished for the distance to which dangerous shoals extend seaward from them. These shoals are generally sand, shifting to some extent with every heavy gale; with the strong currents which are found at times, they form the greatest danger for the navigator while passing along this coast. From Cape Florida to Key West the coast is formed by a chain of small islands, known as Florida Keys, off and nearly parallel to which are the Florida Reefs. The harbors along this stretch of coast are Miami and Key West, and there are a few anchorages among the keys and reefs. South of latitude 27° 24′ N., and lying at a least distance of 42 miles eastward of the coast of Florida, are Great and Little Bahama Banks and the Bahama Islands; and southward of the Florida Reefs, at a least distance of 78 miles, is the island of Cuba. North and west of these islands and skirting the coast of Florida are the Straits of Florida, through which flow the waters of the Gulf Stream. The straits, in connection with the channels between the islands, form the northern approach and entrance to the Gulf of Mexico. or Harbors and ports.-The more important places, either commercially as harbors of refuge, are Lookout Bight, Beaufort Harbor 19 (N. C.), Cape Fear River, Winyah Bay, Charleston Harbor, Port Royal, Tybee Roads and Savannah River, Sapelo Sound, St. Simon Sound, Cumberland Sound, St. Johns River, Miami, and Key West. Towboats are stationed at Cape Fear River, Winyah Bay, Charleston Harbor, Savannah River, St. Simon Sound (Brunswick), Cumberland Sound (Fernandina), and St. Johns River. 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 the appendix. The laws prohibit the dumping of ashes or other materials in the channels. Navigation laws of the United States are published by the Bureau of Navigation, Department of Commerce, at intervals of four years, the present edition being that of 1919. This volume can be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., at a price of $1. National quarantine.-Quarantine for all ports within the limits of this volume are enforced in accordance with the regulations of the United States Public Health Service. Quarantine regulations will be found at the stations of the service and at American consulates, and will be furnished to vessels upon application, either by officers of the service of by the bureau in Washington, D. C. Every vessel should be provided with the quarantine regulations. The following are the quarantine stations within the limits covered by this volume: Cape Charles, Va., address Quarantine, Fort Monroe, Va.; boarding and inspection station, Fort Monroe (Old Point Comfort), Va.; Washington, N. C.; Newbern, N. C.; Cape Fear (Southport), N. C.; Charleston, S. C.; Georgetown (South Island), S. C.; Port Royal, S. C.; Savannah, Ga.; Brunswick, Ga.; Cumberland Sound (Fernandina), Fla.; St. Johns River (Mayport), Fla.; Biscayne Bay (Miami), Fla.; Key West, Fla. Marine hospital.-Information as to relief furnished seamen will be found in the regulations of the United States Public Health Service, which can be consulted at all stations of the service. Such stations are located at ports of any importance, and if not in charge of a service officer, relief will be provided by collectors of customs upon appli cation. The following stations are in charge of a service officer: Norfolk, Va.; Washington, N. C.; Newbern, N. C.; Beaufort, N. C.; Wilming ton, N. C.; Georgetown, S. C.; Charleston, S. C.; Sayannah (marine hospital), Ga.; Brunswick, Ga.; Fernandina, Fla.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Key West (marine hospital), Fla. Supplies. Coal can be obtained at Newport News, Norfolk, Beaufort (N. C.), Wilmington, Charleston, Port Royal, Savannah, Jacksonville, and Key West; 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. 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 facilities for repairs at Elizabeth City, Washington, Newbern, Wilmington, Georgetown, Brunswick, and Key West. Minor repairs can be made and small craft can be hauled out at several other places. |