APPROACHES

GENERAL REMARKS, APPROACHES TO NEW YORK

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Approaching New York from southeastward there is a decided drop in the surface temperature of the sea water, which is most marked in winter and least in summer. The greatest change occurs within a distance of 250 miles southeastward from Sandy Hook, the difference in temperature of the surface sea water in that distance ranging from about 27° F. in February to about 7° F. in August. The following are mean temperatures (Fahrenheit) of surface sea water about 250 miles southeastward of Sandy Hook and at the entrance of New York Harbor, respectively: February, 63° and 36°; May, 70° and 48°; August, 79° and 72°; and November, 72° and 50°. Radio service.-Vessels equipped with radio transmitters and being in doubt of their position should make frequent use of radio finder bearings. For the approaches to New York Harbor the radio direction finder stations at Amagansett, Fire Island, Sandy Hook, and Manasquan should be used, the last three forming a harbor entrance group. Radiobeacon signals are transmitted from Fire Island, Ambrose and Scotland Lightships and from Sea Girt Lighthouse. (See also Radiobeacons, and Radio Direction Finder Stations, pp. 10 and 12.)

Soundings.-The lead will be found most useful to warn vessels of too close an approach to the shore. Many vessels have been wrecked on the coasts of New Jersey and Long Island through neglect to take frequent soundings when the position was uncertain.

Depth is a better indication of position off this part of the coast than the character of the bottom, as the same characterstics may be found in widely different positions. A frequent use of the lead and close study of the charts will always give sufficient warning of danger.

If not sure of the position, the depth should not be shoaled to less than 15 fathoms (27 m) on the south coast of Long Island eastward of Fire Island Lighthouse, 12 fathoms (22 m) between Fire Island Lighthouse and Barnegat, and 10 fathoms (18 m) southward of Barnegat.

From the position of the two shores relative to each other and to the entrance to New York Bay it follows that a 215° true (SW. % W. mag.) course will deepen the water if the vessel is on the Long Island side of the approach and will shoal it if she is off the New Jersey coast. A 35° true (NE. % E. mag.) course will deepen the water if the vessel is off the New Jersey side of the approach and will shoal it if she is off the Long Island coast.

Eastward of Fire Island Lighthouse the water shoals quite rapidly toward the Long Island shore, but inside of a line drawn from Fire Island Lighthouse to Barnegat Lighthouse there is no marked difference in the soundings, except in the mud gorge, as either shore is approached.

Mud gorge. The surveys of the sea approaches to New York have developed a continuous narrow channel or ancient river course cut in the sea bed from off Sandy Hook out nearly to the ocean basin. The sea bed, for a distance of nearly 100 miles off Sandy

Hook, until a depth of 40 to 60 fathoms (73 to 110 m) is reached, is composed of sand. In some places the sandy bottom has black specks, in others yellow specks, and again pebbles and broken shells are found in it. The continuous gully cutting southeastward through this bed of sand has a bottom of mud or clay. Near its outer or seaward end this is a green ooze mixed with sand; farther in it becomes a blue clay mixed with some sand; but whatever the character of the bottom in particular parts of the gully, its general features are so different from those of the sand bed through which it cuts that there is no room for mistake. It must be borne in mind, however, that the deep channel in which a bottom of mud is found is narrow in places, requiring quick work with the lead to pick it up.

The first indications of this remarkable channel are found about 3 miles southeastward of Ambrose Channel Lightship, where the depth is about 19 fathoms (35 m). For about 10 miles from this point the channel or gully follows a southerly course, with a width of 34 to 1 mile, and a depth increasing gradually from 19 to 33 fathoms (35 to 60 m) between banks over which the depth is the same as that of the adjacent sea bed-about 15 to 18 fathoms (27 to 33 m). The gully then has a general southeasterly direction for nearly 60 miles to a sand bar extending across it. Throughout the second 15 miles the depth remains nearly constant at about 35 fathoms (64 m), the banks having depths of 22 to 27 fathoms (40 to 49 m). Thence to the bar, a distance of about 45 miles, the depth in the channel remains about the same 41 to 43 fathoms (75 to 79 m)-while the banks gradually sink to the same level. The bar, over which the depth is also about 43 fathoms (79 m), is near the outer limit of the sand bed already mentioned.

Outside the bar, which is about 10 miles wide, the channel is found again as a deep ravine extending eastward about 25 miles farther, with a depth of from 200 to about 475 fathoms (366 to about 869 m) between banks over which the depth, increasing offshore, is from 45 to 200 fathoms (82 to 366 m). The average width of this ravine is about 3 miles. Specimens of bottom from it are the same as from its banks and the adjacent flats-a green, sandy mud.

Cholera Bank, lying about 10 miles southeastward of Ambrose Lightship, has a least depth of 10 fathoms (18.3 m) and is about 2 miles in extent in an east and west direction. This bank is very little raised above the general level of the bottom, but being rocky in character a careful use of the lead will give useful indications in thick or foggy weather. During the summer months numerous fishing vessels may be seen on this bank.

Whistle buoys, three in number, are located in about 10 fathoms (18 m) off the coast of Long Island, between Jones Inlet and East Rockaway Inlet. These buoys are placed about 4 miles apart in an east and west direction, and are located here to keep vessels off the Long Island shore in thick and foggy_weather.

North Atlantic lane routes to and from New York Harbor were revised and adopted by the principal trans-Atlantic steamship companies in June, 1930, as given below. Owing to the frequency of collisions in the approaches to New York Harbor, all trans-Atlantic vessels are urgently recommended to use the following routes:

(a) Westbound vessels following the regular trans-Atlantic route should pass close to southward of Nantucket Shoals Lightship; thence 267° true (WNW. % W. mag.) for 193 miles to Ambrose Lightship.

(b) Eastbound vessels to steer 96° true (ESE. 1⁄2 E. mag.) from Ambrose Lightship for 177 miles to a position, latitude 40° 10′ N., longitude 70° 00′ W.

Attention is called to the fact that there are three lanes that are used from United States ports (eastward of the seventieth meridian), depending on the season of the year. These are shown on the back of United States Hydrographic Office chart No. 1262.

Currents. Between Nantucket and Cape May the tidal currents are weak and veer around the compass, accompanied by a general drift of the sea south westward, amounting to about 0.1 knot.

Approaching from eastward from the vicinity of Nantucket Shoals Lightship, a slight allowance should be made for a southwesterly set of the current. Should the wind be easterly it is customary to allow, in order to make the course good, a set of the current with it of at least 11⁄2 knot.

The effect of the wind on the currents should always be considered. The ordinary maximum velocities caused by a combination of tidal currents and wind currents from strong gales are 2 to 21⁄2 knots at Nantucket Shoals Lightship, and 1 to 111⁄2 knots at Fire Island and Ambrose Channel Lightships. Alongshore winds produce the highest velocities at Fire Island Lightship and off Five Fathom Bank.

Between Gay Head and Montauk Point the tidal currents set northward on the flood and southward on the ebb. The estimated velocity in a depth of about 25 fathoms (46 m) is about 1⁄2 knot; closer inshore this velocity increases.

At Fire Island Lightship the tidal currents have a mean velocity at strength of about 1/4 knot in a west-northwest and east-southeast direction on the flood and ebb, respectively.

The important currents affecting navigation are those due to winds, the maximum velocities of current ranging from 1 to 12 knots. A sudden reversal in the direction of the wind produces a corresponding change in the current either diminishing or augmenting the velocity. Sustained winds do not maintain the currents at the maximum velocities, as the angle of the coast between Long Island and New Jersey prevents a free circulation and a long-continued flow.

At Ambrose Channel Lightship the velocity at strength of the tidal current is about 1/4 knot. The maximum velocities noted, due to winds, are 1 to 11⁄2 knots.

DIRECTIONS, NEW YORK BAY AND HARBOR

The shoals on the bar at the entrance of New York Bay are as follows: East Bank lies eastward of Ambrose Channel; Romer Shoal lies between Ambrose and Swash Channels; East Knolls, Flynn Knoll, and Southwest Spit lie between Swash Channel and the Main Ship-Bayside Channel; Pitch of the Hook extends northeastward from Sandy Hook; and False Hook, Oil Spot, and Outer Middle Ground lie off the eastern side of Sandy Hook. For the

depths on these shoals reference is made to the chart. They are subject to change in position and depth and should be avoided by strangers.

Ambrose Channel is maintained 2,000 feet wide and 40 feet (12.2m) deep, is used by nearly all steamers, and is the best one for strangers. Regulations respecting the channel are given in the description preceding. For the condition of the other channels reference is made to the chart; they are described starting on page 282. Strangers should not attempt to enter the harbor in thick weather.

Through Ambrose Channel. From Ambrose Channel Lightship a 297° true (NW. 5% W. mag.) course for 334 miles leads to Gedney Channel lighted and whistle buoys, which is at the intersection of the axes of Ambrose and Gedney Channels.

From Scotland Lightship a 350° true (N. 1% E. mag.) course for 3 miles will lead to the entrance of Ambrose Channel.

From Gedney Channel buoy the course through the outer section of Ambrose Channel is 297° true (NW. 5% W. mag.) for about 6 miles, with West Bank Lighthouse in range with Staten Island Lighthouse, until between the red lighted bell buoy and black lighted whistle buoy which mark the sides of the channel at the turn; Romer Shoal Lighthouse will then bear about 186° true (S. by W. 12 W. mag.). The course is then 324° true (NNW. 14 W. mag.) for 7 mile until between the red lighted bell buoy and black lighted whistle buoy which mark the sides of the channel at the turn; West Bank Lighthouse will then bear about 271° true (WNW. % W. mag.).

The course is then 348° true (N. % mag.), with Sandy Hook Lighthouse astern; this course made good for 3 miles will lead to a position 1/4 mile eastward of Craven Shoal horizontally striped lighted bell buoy.

A 338° true (N. by W. mag.) course for about 33% miles will then lead through the Narrows and to a position 200 yards westward of a horizontally striped bell buoy at the entrance to Bay Ridge Channel and to a black buoy with occulting green light. A 28° true (NE. 2 N. mag.) course from eastward of this buoy leads to Anchorage Channel, where a course can be shaped for the general anchorage or can continue to the westward of Governors Island for either the Hudson or East Rivers. Anchorage areas on each side of the channel are shown on chart 541, and are described in the appendix.

Remarks. In addition to the range lights, Ambrose Channel is marked at short intervals by buoys. The red lighted buoys on the northeasterly side of the straight sections of the channel show fixed red lights, those at the entrances and angles being lighted bell buoys (flashing red light). The black lighted buoys on the southwesterly side of the straight sections of the channel show fixed white lights; those at the entrances and angles being lighted whistle buoys (flashing white lights) on the southwest side and lighted bell buoys on the northeast side.

Caution. On account of the dredging operations going on in New York Bay, mariners must be guided by the chart and the latest reports, as published in the Notices to Mariners, as to the conditions of the channels.

NAVESINK RIVER

NAVESINK RIVER AND SHREWSBURY RIVER (CHART 543)

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empty through a common entrance into the southern extremity of Sandy Hook Bay eastward of the Highlands of Navesink. The rivers have a navigable length of about 7 miles above the entrance in Sandy Hook Bay. They have been improved by dredging a channel 6 feet (1.8 m) deep, with a width of 300 feet in the entrance channel to Island Beach, thence 200 feet wide to the junction of the two rivers, and 150 feet wide to Redbank on Navesink River and Branchport on Shrewsbury River. In June, 1932, project depths were available, but the channel widths through the bars were narrow in places. The controlling depths over the bars in the river were about 4 feet (1.2 m).

In 1932 there were some sandy shoals, bare at low water, from 400 to 600 yards northwestward of Dike Light No. 1, at the entrance to the rivers.

In the absence of local knowledge the chart is the best guide. The following remarks may be of some assistance to small craft_using the chart; the bush stakes and other private aids mentioned were in place in 1932.

In approaching through Sandy Hook Bay, bring Navesink Lighthouse to bear 151° (S. by E. 5% E. mag.) and head for it on this bearing, passing close westward of the entrance bell buoy. When the outer dike light bears 100° true (ESE. % E. mag.) head for it, passing northward of red buoy No. 2, avoiding the point of a shoal 565 yards west-northwestward of the light. (Keeping a range, formed by this light and a tall tower on the beach, slightly open will aid in avoiding this shoal.) The channel then follows the south side of the dike (awash at high water) until 100 yards eastward of the inner light, being marked on the south side by three red buoys. It then leads for Navesink Lighthouse for 1/2 mile, passing 70 yards westward of black buoy No. 1, and then leads for the point on the west side southward of Island Beach, passing 40 yards westward of black buoy No. 3. There are shoals, bare at low water, on both sides.

Passing 150 feet off the point on the west side, southward of Island Beach, the channel leads for the draw in Highlands Bridge and through the west opening. The bridge is about 6 feet (1.8 m) in the clear above high water, and has two openings, with a least width of 98 feet. The current does not set at right angles to the bridge but rather along the axis of the channel, making the set slightly to westward on the ebb and slightly to eastward on the flood. The east side of the river northward of the bridge and west side 14 mile southward of the bridge are used as anchorages for motor boats. From the bridge the channel follows the west side to the junction of the channel leading into Navesink River, and Reeves Channel leading to Shrewsbury River.

A new bridge was under construction, in 1932, to replace the present structure. It is on the southern side, and will have a bascule span, with an opening 100 feet wide and a vertical clearance of 35 feet (10.7 m) above mean high water when closed.

To Navesink River. The channel is marked by several lighted buoys, which are maintained from April 1 to November 1 and by