RARITAN BAY-TRIBUTARIES

303

only by fishing boats. The channel leads between very shoal flats, and from the Keyport steamboat dock trends west-southwestward and then westward into the creek. The channel in Matawan Creek favors the north bank to Wilkson Creek, and then leads in midcreek. Highway drawbridges, with openings 49 and 51 feet wide, cross the creek about 2 and 8 mile, respectively, above Keyport.

Cheesequake Creek is on the south side of Raritan Bay southward of Great Beds Lighthouse. The entrance is between two strong jetties, awash at high water, which are 200 feet apart and are marked at the outer ends by a light on the west jetty and a spindle on the east jetty. Between the jetties a channel 100 feet wide and 5 feet (1.5 m) deep has been dredged close to the west jetty from that depth in Raritan Bay to deeper water in the creek. The best water in the approach is on or just eastward of the line of the west jetty until about 200 yards from it, and then keep between the jetties. The creek is crossed at the inner end of the jetties by a highway lift bridge (opening 51 feet) and a short distance farther up by a railroad lift bridge (opening 50 feet). The vertical clearances are 5 feet and 3.8 feet (1.5 m and 1.2 m), respectively, above mean high water, when closed. The channel in the creek is good for a depth of about 3 feet (0.9 m) at low water for a distance of about 3 miles above the entrance to Cheesequake. The mean rise and fall of tides is about 514 feet.

Laurence Harbor, a summer resort, lies on the east side of the entrance to Cheesequake Creek, and Morgan, a small settlement lies on the west side. Gasoline and supplies in limited quantities can be obtained here.

Seguine Point is marked by a prominent large factory, with a conspicuous chimney and cupola to northward. There is a depth of about 9 feet (2.7 m) at the wharf. The Princess Bay Yacht Club Wharf, eastward of Lemon Creek, has a depth of about 5 feet (1.5 m) at its end.

Lemon Creek is a narrow, shallow stream on the south side of Staten Island 1/4 mile westward of Seguine Point. A channel 35 to 50 feet wide and 8 feet (2.4 m) deep at high water was dredged into the creek, the entrance cut having a direction of about north. In 1932 the entrance was good for a depth of about 112 feet (0.5 m) at low water. A drawbridge (opening 30 feet) about 4 feet above high water crosses the creek near its mouth. Gasoline and motor boat supplies can be obtained from a station at the entrance. The deepest craft entering is 6 feet (1.8 m) at high water. An 8-foot (2.4 m) statue rests on an old lighthouse tower, which is located on a bluff on the western side of Princess Bay.

Great Beds Lighthouse, white conical tower on black pier, is on the shoals at the western end of Raritan Bay. Directions for Raritan Bay are given on page 309.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Pilotage for ports in the States of New York and New Jersey is compulsory for certain vessels (see pilotage under New York Harbor preceding). Pilots for New York Bay have authority and sometimes bring vessels into Perth Amboy and South Amboy. Vessels bound up the Raritan River or Arthur Kill, and desiring a pilot,

can get one at Perth Amboy or from a pilot boat cruising off Sandy Hook.

Towboats are used by the larger sailing vessels, and by all but very small craft, bound up the Raritan River and Arthur Kill. They can be had by making signal off the entrance to the dredged channel, and are found cruising in the lower bay inside Sandy Hook. The anchorage limits are given in the appendix.

Quarantine. The national quarantine boarding station is at a landing near the southern end of Perth Amboy. The quarantine anchorage is westward of the middle ground off the south end of Perth Amboy.

Hospital.-At Perth Amboy there is a relief station of the United States Public Health Service.

Storm warnings are displayed at Sandy Hook.

Supplies.-Coal and water can be had at the wharves in Perth Amboy and South Amboy. Provisions and ship chandler's stores can be had at Perth Amboy, South Amboy, Tottenville, and New Brunswick.

Repairs. See description of Perth Amboy, Tottenville, and New Brunswick following.

Ice. In ordinary winters ice does not seriously interfere with navigation in Raritan Bay or Arthur Kill, but in severe winters the ice sometimes prevents the movements of vessels for periods of two weeks at a time. In easterly winds the drift ice in New York Lower Bay collects in Raritan Bay and obstructs navigation, but usually only for a short time, as the prevailing westerly winds drive the ice out of the bay. The Delaware and Raritan Canal is closed to navigation in winter.

Tides. The mean rise and fall of the tides is about 514 feet. Bridge regulations have been prescribed as follows:

1. All drawbridges spanning Raritan Bay, Arthur Kill, and their navigable tributaries, and Shrewsbury River shall be opened promptly upon signal, for the passage of vessels during the day or night, except as prescribed in paragraph 2.

2. During the hours between 7.30 and 10 a. m. and between 5 and 7.30 p. m. drawbridges shall not be required to remain open longer than 10 minutes nor be permitted to remain closed longer than 10 minutes to the exclusion of vessels approaching for passage. Provided, That the draw of any bridge used solely for United States mail, passenger, and express trains need not be opened for a vessel reaching said draw less than five minutes before the scheduled arrival of any such train, until such train passes, unless the bridge tender has notice that the train is delayed more than five minutes: Provided further, That the owners of bridges acting under this rule shall maintain a tug at the drawbridge to control and aid in the passage of vessels.

3. When a vessel approaches within signaling distance of a bridge for passage, the master thereof shall signify his intention by three blasts of a whistle or horn. The signal shall be answered by three blasts of a whistle or horn from the bridge, unless, under paragraph 2, a delay in opening is permitted, when the answer from the bridge will be two blasts of a whistle or horn, and the tug stationed at the draw shall immediately go to the assistance of the vessel.

4. Upon hearing or perceiving the signals prescribed, the tenders or operators of a drawbridge, except as provided in paragraph 2, shall at once open the draw spans of the bridge for the prompt passage of any vessel or craft: Provided, That the bridge may not be opened when there is a train, wagon, or vehicle at the time passing over said draw span, or a train approaching so closely that it can not be safely stopped before reaching the bridge, but it shall be opened as soon as the draw span may be cleared.

5. Wagons, vehicles, and trains shall not be stopped on a drawbridge or on a draw span for the purpose of delaying the operation of the drawbridge, nor shall water craft or vessels be so manipulated as to hinder or delay the operation of the draw span, but all passage upon, through, or under a drawbridge shall be prompt, to prevent delay to either land or water communication.

6. The foregoing regulations apply only to commercial or pleasure vessel. Steamers or vessels employed or controlled by the United States Government or by municipal departments shall be passed without delay through the draws of said bridges at any hour of the day or night upon giving four blasts of the whistle.

RARITAN RIVER (CHART 375)

empties into the western end of Raritan Bay between Perth Amboy and South Amboy. It has a length of 101⁄2 miles from South Amboy to New Brunswick, a width varying from 11⁄2 mile to 125 yards, and is crooked in places. Dredging has been done to obtain a channel 15 feet (4.6 m) deep and 200 feet wide from the mouth to Washington Canal, a distance of 6.3 miles; thence 10 feet (3 m) deep and 100 feet wide for 4.2 miles to the Delaware & Raritan Canal entrance at New Brunswick. In 1932 the project widths and depths existed, except in the channel above Martins Landing, which had shoaled to 9 feet (2.7 m). A private channel, 10 feet (3 m) deep (1922), extends from the river west of Martins Creek, a short distance to a factory. Lights have been established in the river but the upper part is not well marked and it is difficult for a stranger to carry the best water. Strangers with a draft of 8 feet (2.4 m) or more should take a pilot.

Two center-pier drawbridges cross Raritan River just above South Amboy. The lower or railroad bridge has openings 132 feet wide and 8.6 feet (2.6 m) above high water. The upper bridge, mile above the railroad bridge, has openings 140 feet wide and 28 feet (8.5 m) above mean high water. The northern opening only should be used. (See bridge regulations preceeding.)

South Amboy Channel has a project depth of 21 feet (6.4 m) for a width of 300 feet, extending from a junction with the Raritan Bay Channel eastward of Great Beds Light to deep water off the wharves at South Amboy. This channel had a controlling depth of 25 feet (7.6 m) in 1932.

South Amboy is an important port for the shipment of coal, petroleum products, and building materials, which are carried in vessels of 5 to 16 foot (1.5 m to 4.9 m) draft. There is a depth of about 19 feet (5.8 m) at the principal wharves and this is about the deepest draft taken to this port. Coal, fresh water, and supplies of all kinds can be obtained here. There is bus service to Perth Amboy and along the south shore of Raritan Bay and to Atlantic City. Sayreville is a village with extensive brickyards located on the south bank of the river 6 miles above the entrance. The entrance of the South River Canal is at the western end of Sayreville.

About 1 mile below New Brunswick, the Raritan River is crossed by a high concrete-arch bridge.

New Brunswick is a city at the entrance of the Delaware and Raritan Canal from Raritan River. There is a marine railway about 100 feet long capable of hauling out small craft of 612-foot draft.

South River is entered through the Washington (South River) Canal, the entrance of which is at the western end of Sayreville, 6 miles above South Amboy. The project for the improvement of the river is to maintain a channel 100 feet wide and 12 feet (3.7 m) deep through the canal and river to the town of Washington, a distance of 1.3 miles; thence 12 feet (3.7 m) deep and 150 feet wide to the head of navigation at Oldbridge, 5.5 miles above the mouth. Two drawbridges with openings 34.5 and 39 feet wide, respectively, cross the river 0.6 and 1 mile above Washington; the west and east openings, respectively, are used by vessels. (See bridge regulations preceding.) The Delaware and Raritan Canal is 39 miles (44 statute miles) long from New Brunswick to Bordentown on the Delaware River. There are 14 locks in the canal, the dimensions of which are 210 feet long, 23 feet 4 inches wide, and 7 feet (2.1 m) deep. The deepest draft permitted through the canal is 7 feet (2.1 m). Masted vessels are limited to masts less than 50 feet (15 m) above canal level by the arched stone bridge at New Brunswick. This canal was closed in the spring of 1933. The inside route from New York Bay to Delaware and Chesapeake Bays is described in United States Coast Pilot, Section C; and Inside Route Pilot, New York to Key West.

Harbor control.-It is not lawful for any steamer to pass any of the wharves on either side of Raritan River, between New Brunswick and a point 200 yards below French's or Wood's landing, at a greater speed than 4 miles (statute) per hour while any vessel is lying thereto, nor pass up and down the river between said points at a greater speed than 7 miles (statute) per hour.

Tides. The mean rise and fall of tides is about 514 feet at South Amboy and 6 feet at New Brunswick; and on South River, about 51⁄2 feet at Raritan Railroad bridge and 42 feet at Oldbridge. High and low water occur later than at Sandy Hook, as follows: South Amboy, about 10 minutes; New Brunswick, about 14 hours.

ARTHUR KILL (CHARTS 285 AND 286)'

is the narrow body of water separating Staten Island from New Jersey and has an extensive traffic. On its shores are located Perth Amboy, Tottenville, Elizabethport, many large manufactories, and two important coal-shipping points.

Arthur Kill is under improvement to secure a channel 30 feet (9.1 m) deep and 400 feet wide, connecting with channels of the same depth and width through Kill van Kull at the north end and Raritan Bay at the south end. In 1932 the channel through Arthur Kill had a controlling depth of 30 feet (9.1 m). The channel has been widened at Fresh Kills to secure a turning basin of suitable size. Perth Amboy is on the point at the junction of Raritan River and Arthur Kill at the western end of Raritan Bay. The principal wharves are situated along the west bank of Arthur Kill. The deepest draft entering is about 23 feet (7 m) at high water. There is a depth of about 20 feet (6.1 m) at low water alongside some of the wharves. There is good anchorage abreast the wharves in about 6 fathoms (11 m). (See the anchorage limits in the appendix.) There are several floating docks at Perth Amboy. The largest is 440 feet long, has a dead-weight capacity of 10,000 tons, and will

take a draft of 24 feet. The facilities for repairs to hulls of vessels are excellent.

There is communication by ferry from Perth Amboy to Tottenville, thence by railroad to St. George, and thence by ferry to the Battery.

Tottenville, a small town on the southwestern end of Staten Island, is of little commercial importance, but has a number of shipyards and marine railways for building and repairing vessels. The largest railway is 175 feet long, draft 9 feet forward and 12 feet aft, and capacity 1,000 tons.

The Outerbridge Crossing Bridge crosses Arthur Kill about 300 yards northward of Ploughshare Point and connects Perth Amboy with Tottenville. The height of the bridge above mean high water is 135 feet (41 m).

Woodbridge Creek enters Arthur Kill from westward about 3 miles above Ward Point. A channel with a depth of 8 feet (2.4 m) and least bottom width of 50 feet is maintained for a distance of 1% miles above the entrance of the Salamander Dock. In June, 1932, the controlling depth was about 8 feet (2.4 m) to the upper end of the project. Above this point the channel shoals gradually from a depth of 3 feet (0.9 m) to 1 foot (0.3 m) at the fixed bridge, which forms the head of navigation, about 2 miles above the entrance. Two drawbridges, 300 feet apart, cross the creek 1/2 mile above the entrance. The draw openings are 50 feet wide, and the vertical clearances above mean high water, when closed, are 7.6 feet (2.3 m) for the lower or highway bridge and 5 feet (1.5 m) for the upper or railroad bridge. The overhead wires at the lower bridge are 125 feet (38 m) above high water. There is some traffic to the various industrial plants on the creek, in vessels drawing from 5 to 10 feet (1.5 to 3 m).

Smith Creek enters Arthur Kill from northward about 1/2 mile northward of Woodbridge Creek. There is a depth of about 2 feet (0.6 m) on the bar at the entrance and greater depth inside. The channel at the entrance follows the western shore to avoid a shoal which extends southward from the marshy point on the east side of the creek, and was marked by bush stakes in 1932. The creek is used as an anchorage for small craft, and there are numerous boathouses and private landings. Gasoline and supplies can be obtained at the hotel landing just south of the entrance."

Fresh Kills enters Arthur Kill from eastward southward of Linoleumville. There are several brickyards on its banks, but the section is generally agricultural. There are two entrances 3% mile apart. The northern one is good for a depth of about 3 feet (0.9 m) at low water, the channel at the entrance favoring the southerly shore to avoid a shoal which extends in a southwesterly direction from the point on the north side.

The southerly entrance of Fresh Kills, opposite the steel works at Chrome, is approached on a northeasterly course, favoring the south shore to avoid a shoal which extends southwestward from the point on the north side. There is a depth of about 10 feet (3 m) in the channel to the brickyard 3⁄4 mile inside the entrance, and a least depth of 8 feet (2.4 m) to the forks in the Kills 1% miles above the southerly entrance.