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SHELTER ISLAND SOUND, DIRECTIONS

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by a lighted buoy and in summer by a lighted range. A depth of 5 feet (1.5 m) can be carried to the Sebonac Yacht Club landing on the south side of the entrance and a depth of 2 feet (0.6 m) to the landings at West Neck, a small settlement northeastward of Ram Island. There is a small railway at West Neck capable of hauling out small vessels up to 4-foot draft at high water.

Near the middle of the western part of the bay is a red buoy, which marks the entrance of a channel, good for a depth of 6 feet (1.8 m) at low water, leading to South Jamesport. Passing close southward of this buoy a 260° true (W. 14 N. mag.) course will lead to the red buoy southward of South Jamesport, then steer northwestward to a black buoy, and then northward for the wharf at South Jamesport. Motor boats anchor or moor to piles in the bight westward of the wharf. South Jamesport is a summer resort and has railroad communication. There is a railway for boats 40 feet long, 3 feet draft forward and 4 feet aft.

Flanders is a small village at the head of Reeves Bay, 21⁄2 miles west-southwestward of South Jamesport.

Riverhead, on the Peconic River, 41⁄2 miles above South Jamesport, is at the head of navigation and has railroad communication; the deepest draft of the boats going there is 412 feet (1.4 m) at high water. A red buoy marks a shoal extending from the point 5% mile westward of South Jamesport. After passing close southward of this buoy, the channel into Riverhead, through Flanders Bay, is staked out by private interests.

Gasoline, water, ice, and provisions can be obtained at Riverhead. A towboat is stationed here. The river is usually frozen from about December 15 to March 1 of each year.

DIRECTIONS, SHELTER ISLAND SOUND, NORTH ARM

The channel north of Shelter Island is good for a depth of 21 feet (6.4 m), is easily followed when the buoys can be seen, and is generally used by all vessels, including those going to Peconic Bays. Vessels of less than about 7-foot (2.1 m) draft can follow the south side of Long Beach at a distance of 1/4 mile on a 239° true (WSW. % W. mag.) course, passing about the same distance southward of Long Beach Bar Lighthouse. The following courses lead in the buoyed channel:

From Plum Gut, passing 1/4 mile southeastward of Orient Point lighthouse, a 205° true (SW. 5% S. mag.) course for 4 miles will lead to a position 1/4 mile eastward of Shelter Island Sound entrance bell buoy; or, passing 1/4 mile northward of Gardiners Island lighted and bell buoys, a 239° true (WSW. % W. mag.) course for 6 miles will lead to the bell buoy.

Gardiners Bay to Hay Beach Point.-From Shelter Island Sound entrance bell buoy steer 273° true (WNW. 5% W. mag.) with buoy No. 1 a very little on the port bow, passing south of the bell buoy south of Long Beach Point and when Long Beach Bar Lighthouse bears 337° true (N. % W. mag.), steer 305° true (NW. 14 N. mag.), passing 200 yards eastward of buoy No. 1 and 250 yards northeastward of a black lighted buoy. Rounding the lighted buoy at this distance, steer 259° true (W. N. mag.) to a position 350 yards northward of Hay Beach Point, and then, if going to Green

port, steer southwestward and pass about 100 yards southeastward of the light on the end of the breakwater.

Hay Beach Point to Little Peconic Bay.-Rounding Hay Beach Point at a distance of 350 yards, steer 222° true (SW. % W. mag.), follow the southern shore at a distance of 350 yards, and round Conkling Point and Jennings Point at this distance. Then steer 154° true (S. by E. % E. mag.), pass 100 yards eastward of the lighted buoy off Paradise Point, and continue the course about 2 mile past the lighted buoy until approaching a red nun buoy. Round this buoy at a distance of about 200 yards, steer 208° true (SW. % S. mag.), and pass 100 yards northwestward of Jessup Neck Shoal lighted buoy.

Through Little and Great Peconic Bays.-Passing 100 yards northwestward of Jessup Neck Shoal lighted buoy, continue the 208° true (SW. % S. mag.) course for 1 mile to position 1/4 mile southeastward of a red buoy. Then steer 218° true (SW. 12 W. mag.), pass 200 yards southeastward of the red buoy off Nassau Point, and continue the course, passing midway between the buoys which mark the dredged channel, with a depth of about 16 feet (4.9 m), southward of Robins Island. Westward of the dredged channel vessels of about 10 feet (3 m) or less draft can cross the shoal anywhere southward of the horizontally striped buoy which marks a rock with 5 feet (1.5 m) over it, lying 1 mile west-southwestward of the south end of Robins Island. Deeper-draft vessels should follow the buoys southward, the courses for which are: Passing 100 yards westward of buoy No. 11, 180° true (S. by W. 1% W. mag.), passing 100 yards eastward of buoys Nos. 20 and 22, then 202° true (SW. % S. mag.), passing 100 yards eastward of buoy No. 24, and then 247° true (W. S. mag.), passing northward of buoy No. 13.

DIRECTIONS, SHELTER ISLAND SOUND, SOUTH ARM

This entrance is little used except by vessels going to Sag Harbor, the usual draft of which is 10 feet (3 m) or less and the greatest draft about 12 feet (3.7). Vessels of greater draft should employ a pilot. Vessels from Greenport going to Sag Harbor or the reverse generally use the inside route around the western end of Shelter Island.

From Gardiners Bay vessels can cross Sag Harbor Bar, where the depth is about 14 feet (4.3 m), on the range of Cedar Island Lighthouse and the white church spire at Sag Harbor, course 210° true (SW. S. mag.), and then steer about 216° true (SW. % W. mag.) and pass 250 to 300 yards northwestward of the lighthouse. The following courses lead in the buoyed channel:

From Plum Gut, passing 1/4 mile eastward of Orient Point Lighthouse, a 186° true (S. by W. 34 W. mag.) course for 61/2 miles will lead to the red buoy on Sag Harbor Bar; or, passing 1/4 mile northwestward of Gardiners Island lighted and bell buoys, a 213° true (SW. W. mag.) course for 634 miles will lead to this buoy.

Sag Harbor Bar to Sag Harbor.-Passing close to the red buoy on Sag Harbor Bar, steer 247° true (W. 7% S. mag.), pass about 150 yards northward of buoy No. 3, and when Cedar Island Lighthouse bears southward of southwest, shape the course to pass 300 yards northwestward and westward of it. Then steer 187° true (S.

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by W. 34 W. mag.) to a position 350 yards eastward of Mashomack Point, then 202° true (SW. % S. mag.) to a position 150 yards southeastward of buoy No. 8, and then about 224° true (SW. by W. 1 W. mag.) to abreast buoy No. 10. Pass about 200 feet northward of buoy No. 11, steer 272° true (WNW. 5% W. mag.), and pass about 300 feet southward of the Sandspit Light and about 200 feet northward of buoy No. 13. A horizontally striped buoy will be nearly ahead; directions from this buoy to Sag Harbor are given in the description of the harbor preceding.

Sag Harbor to Peconic Bays.-Leave the horizontally striped buoy on the port hand and red buoy No. 12 at the southwest end of the Sandspit, about 100 yards on the starboard hand. Then steer 337° true (N. W. mag.), pass about 100 yards westward of buoy No. 14 and give the eastern shore of North Haven a berth of about 400 yards. Pass close on the north side of the black lighted buoy and steer 253° true (W. % S. mag.) through the passage northward of North Haven, favoring the north shore. When the western shore of North Haven is abeam steer about 236° true (WSW. 1 W. mag.) to the lighted buoy in Noyack Bay. Passing southward of it, a 261° true (W. % N. mag.) course for 114 miles will lead about 100 yards northward of Jessup Neck Shoal lighted buoy at the entrance of Little Peconic Bay, or from a position about 1/4 mile westward of the red lighted buoy in Noyack Bay steer 326° true (N. by W. % W. mag.) for 12 miles to a position about 100 yards eastward of the red lighted buoy off Paradise Point.

FISHERS ISLAND SOUND (CHART 358)

lies between the mainland of Connecticut and Fishers Island and forms one of the entrances into Long Island Sound that is used to some extent by light tows and other vessels of as much as 14-foot (4.3 m) draft. Fishers Island Sound has numerous shoals, and the entire area is exceedingly treacherous, being characterized by bowlder patches which rise abruptly from deeper water. Vessels should follow the deep channels between the shoals and proceed with caution if obliged to cross shoal areas. In general, all shoal spots or abrupt changes of depth are indications of bowlders and should be avoided as anchorages. The south side of the sound is first described.

Gangway Rock is awash at low water and is part of a bowlder reef which extends 400 yards southward from Watch Hill Lighthouse. A red lighted bell buoy marks the south end of the reef and the north side of Watch Hill Passage. A sunken obstruction has been reported 100 yards westward from this buoy.

Watch Hill Passage is the principal entrance, and the only one used by strangers, to Fishers Island Sound from eastward. It has a least depth of about 17 feet (5.2 m). The currents are sufficiently strong to tow spar buoys under at times, but set with the course through the passage. A spot, with 12 feet (3.7 m) over it, in the passage is marked by a horizontally striped buoy; the best channel is northward of the buoy, giving it a berth of about 100 yards.

Watch Hill Reef, on the southwest side of Watch Hill Passage, has rocks bare at low water and is marked by a black gong buoy on the northeast end. A wreck, with two masts showing about 30

feet (9.1 m) above the water, lies on the northwestern side of the reef. There is a whistle buoy 212 miles 172° true from Watch Hill Lighthouse.

Sugar Reef Passage, between Watch Hill Reef and Sugar Reef, has a width of 1/4 mile in which the least depths found are 20 to 23 feet (6.1 to 7 m). The tidal currents have about the same velocity as in Watch Hill Passage.

Sugar Reef has little depth in places, and is marked at its northwest end by a spindle with conical cage. The reef extends 600 yards east-southeastward and 1/4 mile southward from the spindle. Catumb Passage, between Sugar Reef and Catumb Rocks, has a width of 250 yards in which the least depth found is 22 feet (6.7 m). The tidal currents are stronger than in Watch Hill Passage.

Catumb Rocks, the highest part awash at high water, is marked \by a red buoy at the west end and two black buoys at the east end. Rocks with 5 to 18 feet (1.5 to 5.5 m) over them extend 34 mile westward of Catumb Rocks to a red buoy which marks the rocks on east side of Lords Passage.

Lords Passage, eastward of Wicopesset Rock, has a width of nearly 1/4 mile, in which the least depth found is 20 feet (6.1 m). The tidal currents set diagonally across the passage.

Wicopesset Island, small, low, and rocky, is surrounded by foul ground. Wicopesset Rock, at the eastern end of the foul ground, is marked on the northeast side by a black buoy.

Wicopesset Passage lies between Wicopesset Island and East Point. This channel is narrow, and is obstructed by a rock in the middle which is marked by a horizontally striped buoy; it is suitable only for small craft and should not be used by strangers. A perpendicularly striped bell buoy marks the southern entrance. When using the passage, boats are apt to be set by the ebb current on the foul ground which extends 1/4 mile northwestward from Wicopesset Island.

Seal Rocks, partly bare at low water, lie 1% to nearly 3 mile off the north side of East Point of Fishers Island, and are marked off the north side by a black buoy. A rocky patch with 13 feet (4 m) over it lies northeastward of the black buoy and is marked by a horízontally striped buoy.

Youngs Rock, about 1/4 mile northward of Fishers Island and about 2 mile westward of Seal Rocks, has about 1 foot (0.3 m) over it at low water and is marked by a black buoy. A rocky patch extends about 400 yards to the northeastward.

East Harbor and Chocomount Cove, in the north shore of Fishers Island, are sometimes used as anchorages by small craft owned in the vicinity. There is considerable foul ground in East Harbor and in the approach to Chocomount Cove, and they are exposed to northerly winds. The approach to East Harbor is marked by two buoys. There is a prominent Coast Guard station near South Beach, south side of East Harbor. There are two wharves in East Harbor, the western one for a boat shed with about 7 feet (2.1 m) at the end and the other the landing of the Fishers Island Club, with about 12 feet (3.7 m) at the end. There are two fixed red range lights on the club wharf, which are maintained by the club during the summer. Passing about 100 yards east of the red

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nun buoy at the entrance a 130° true (SE. 34 S. mag.) course, and on the range of the lights on the club wharf, leads through the best

water.

The north shore of the island from East Harbor around into West Harbor has many private landings.

East Clump is a small cluster of rocks, partly bare at high water and marked on the north side by a black buoy, lying 34 mile from Fishers Island and 14 miles 250° true (W. 5% S. mag.) from Latimer Reef Lighthouse.

Middle Clump, a cluster of rocks awash at high water, lies 5% mile from Fishers Island and south-southwestward of Ram Island Reef lighted bell buoy. Rocks with 7 to 10 feet (2.1 to 3 m) over them have been found on the shoals which extend south-southeastward from Middle Clump to Fishers Island.

From Middle Clump a shoal with rocky bottom and bowlders extends westward to South Dumpling. The least depths found are 5 feet (1.5 m) between Middle Clump and West Clump; the latter is bare at low water. Pulpit Rock, 1/4 mile westward of West Clump, is bare at low water and is marked by a buoy on the north side. Flat Hammock is a low grassy islet, from which a shoal with a grassy islet on it extends nearly 1/4 mile northeastward, and is marked at its end by a red buoy. The shoal between Flat Hammock and South Dumpling has depths of 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3 m). South Dumpling is a grassy island, from which a rocky shoal with 13 feet (4 m) on it extends 1/4 mile southward, being marked at its south end by a black buoy.

A bowlder reef partly bare at low water extends 1/4 mile northwestward from the northwest end of Fishers Island, and is marked on its northeast side by two red buoys.

North Dumpling is a small grassy island marked by North Dumpling Lighthouse, a white tower on dwelling.

West Harbor is on the north side of Fishers Island southeastward of North Dumpling Lighthouse and affords shelter from southerly winds. A depth of about 10 feet (3 m) can be taken to the wharves on the west side of the harbor; a dredged channel with a depth of 14 feet (4.3 m), in 1931, leads into the harbor. Anthracite and bituminous coal, provisions, and fresh water can be obtained. The post office is Fishers Island. A steamer from New London lands at the wharf. Foul ground extends halfway across the entrance of West Harbor to a bare rock, which should be given a berth of nearly 300 feet; at the north end of the foul ground is a horizontally striped buoy.

Approaching West Harbor from eastward small craft can cross the shoal between Pulpit Rock and Flat Hammock, where the general depth is between 13 and 14 feet (4 and 4.3 m) by passing about 300 yards eastward of buoy No. 2 and steering 193° true (SSW. 14 W. mag.) for Hawks Nest Point in range with the end of the wharf in West Harbor. From westward, pass close to the bell buoy lying 3⁄4 mile south-southwestward of North Dumpling Lighthouse, steer 140° true (SSE. % E. mag.) to a black buoy and then steer 117° true (SE. 12 E. mag.) which leads about 300 yards northward of Hawks Nest Point. Pass about 50 feet eastward of the red buoy at the entrance of the harbor, about 80 yards northwestward

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