2d Session.

SURVEY OF THE COAST-APPALACHICOLA TO THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI.

LETTER

FROM

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY,

TRANSMITTING

A copy of the report of Lieutenant L. M. Powell, of the survey of the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, from Appalachicola to the mouth of the Mississippi river.

APRIL 26, 1842.

Referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

NAVY DEPARTMENT, April 26, 1842.

SIR: In compliance with the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 12th instant, I have the honor to transmit a copy of the report of Lieutenant L. M. Powell, of the survey of the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, from Appalachicola to the mouth of the Mississippi.

I am, with great respect, sir, your obedient servant,
A. P. UPSHUR.

Hon. JOHN WHITE,

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

WASHINGTON CITY, December 17, 1841.

SIR: In compliance with your instructions, I have hereby the honor to submit, for the information of the honorable the Board of Navy Commissioners, the following synopsis of the work of the late survey on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, which was under my direction, together with a report of the defensive means best adapted, in my opinion, to the local features of this section of our country.

I should not have entered so much at length upon this subject, had not the opinion therein set forth been already forcibly sanctioned by high authority, and by a large and enlightened portion of our people, but have confined myself to the consideration of the defences of the Gulf frontier, as instructed by your honorable board. As it is, I hope the particular bearing of the whole subject upon this branch of it will excuse the latitude which has been assumed.

The accompanying charts will answer any demands for minute hydrographical information which may be wanted. Two of them, namely, the survey of "Ship Island," and that of "St. Joseph's," I would recommend for publication. They will have corrected important errors in many respects; the longtitude of Cape "St. Blas" and "Appalachicola" being in error not less than forty miles, for example.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, &c.,

Commodore LEWIS WARRINGTON,

L. M. POWELL,
Lt. U. S. Navy.

President of the Board of Navy Commissioners.

REPORT OF SURVEY ON APPALACHICOLA BAY.

The bay of Appalachicola is entered by three inlets from the sea. The north inlet, or St. George's pass, lies in latitude 29° 37' 6" north, and longtitude 85° 6' west. There are barely 13 feet water on the bar at ordinary low water, with an average rise of two feet tide; the bar is sand, and is only a narrow ridge, 600 feet wide, over the sand bank which blocks up the entrance; and this entrance is two miles and a half from the two icland points which make the opening into the bay. Twelve feet water may be carried to three miles of the city wharves; here most of the shipping anchor, and are laden by lighters.

The second inlet is the Dog Island pass, northeast of the above; sixteen feet may be carried over this bar, which, like the first, is only an opening in the extensive sand banks which lie off the inlet. It is 1 mile from the Dog Island light-house, which lies in latitude 29° 43' 32" north, 84° 40' west.

The larger shipping enter by this pass, but cannot approach nearer than ten miles to the town of Appalachicola.

The east pass, which lies between Dog Island and the main, affords only

ten feet water.

The city of Appalachicola is the depot of the trade for the Chattahooche river and its tributaries, and has already a large trade; the exports for the year 1839 reached the amount of four millions.

In a naval point of view, supplies of various kinds could be obtained in time of war; valuable in every particular.

Timber, water, provisions, and men, could be obtained at this station.

St. Joseph's Bay.

The town of St. Joseph's is on the eastern side of the bay of the same name ; has a small fluctuating population, and is accounted the healthiest position on the Gulf coast. A railroad connects the town with the Appalachicola river, and affords many facilities, which enables it to compete with its neighbor, Appalachicola.

The point of the peninsula, which last is the southern point of the bay, lies in latitude 29° 51' 48" north, and longitude 85° 30' 10" west. The new channel which this survey detected lies nearly midway between the point of the peninsula and St. Andrew's point, distant three geographical