(23) MISSISSIPPI SOUND

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River, down Spanish River, and then up the Tensaw River. Stockton is the principal landing on the Tensaw River. Vessels navigating the Tensaw River are of 6 feet (1.8 m) or less draft. Pilot Rules for the Western Rivers are to be followed above Choctaw Point on the Mobile River.

Above the Mobile River there is a depth of 812 feet (2.6 m) through a canalized channel following the Tombigbee, Warrior, and Black Warrior Rivers to the junction of the Mulberry and Locust Forks of the Black Warrior River, 357 miles above Mobile, and continuing up Mulberry Fork for 31 miles to Sanders Ferry and up Locust Fork for 13 miles to Nichols Shoals. There are 17 locks on the river, with limiting dimensions of 282 feet length, 512 feet width and 82 feet (2.6 m) depth. Numerous drawbridges cross the river, the limiting horizontal_clearance being 87 feet. Freshets usually occur in the river from January to June.

Barge lines, towboats, and river craft contribute to a rather heavy river traffic; the principal river ports are Jackson, Demopolis, Eutaw, Tuscaloosa, Cordova, and Birmingport the latter being connected by rail terminal facilities with Birmingham. The major articles of river traffic are coal, iron and steel products, lumber and stone.

Alabama River is formed by the junction of the Coosa and Tallapoosa Rivers, and is navigable throughout its length to a point 327 miles above Mobile. At ordinary low-river stages there is a depth of 4 feet to Selma and 32 feet (1.0 m) to Montgomery, 226 and 301 miles respectively above Mobile, and at higher river stages the available draft is proportionally greater. A depth of 3 feet (0.9 m) can be carried at low water to the head of the river and to Wetumpka on Coosa River, 10 miles above its mouth. This is the head of lowwater navigation. Several drawbridges with a minimum horizontal clearance of 86 feet cross the river. Freshets usually occur in the river from January to May.

There is but limited navigation on the Tombigbee River above Demopolis. For about 4 months each year, navigation is safe at mean and high-river stages as far as Columbus, 130 miles above Demopolis, for river steamers drawing not over 5 feet (1.5 m). At low water, the controlling depth is but 1 foot (0.3 m).

23. MISSISSIPPI SOUND, LAKE BORGNE, AND LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN

(Charts 1266, 1267, 1268, and 1269)

Mississippi Sound extends 70 miles west of Mobile Bay between a chain of long and narrow, low sand islands and the mainland and affords a sheltered route for the Intracoastal Waterway from Mobile Bay to New Orleans. The depths are generally shoal, but there are natural depths up to 10 feet (3.0 m) through the sound and this route is invariably used by vessels of lighter draft than 9 feet. (2.7 m) bound to New Orleans or the Mississippi River, in preference to the outside route to the mouth of the Mississippi and thence up the river. The eastern end of the sound is separated from Mobile Bay by an extensive oyster reef, 1 mile wide, across which there are two channels, viz, Pass aux Herons and Grants Pass. The sound

may also be entered from the Gulf by Petit Bois, Horn Island Dog Keys, and Ship Island Passes, and Cat Island Channel.

Courses and Distances through Mississippi Sound are given under Intracoastal Waterway, see page 212.

The Intracoastal Waterway extends through Mississippi Sound, Grand Island Pass, Lake Borgne, the Rigolets, and Lake Pontchartrain to New Orleans. The route through Mississippi Sound is via Pass Marianne. At the eastern end of the Sound, a channel has been_dredged, 10 feet (3.0 m) deep by 300 feet wide, through Pass aux Herons, connecting the Sound with Mobile Bay. At the western end of the Sound, there is a dredged channel, 9 feet (2.7 m) deep by 100 feet wide, through the flats in Lake Borgne connecting Grand Island Pass with the Rigolets and at the western entrance to the Rigolets, another channel, 9 feet (2.7 m) deep by 100 feet wide, has been dredged through the Middle Ground to connect the Rigolets with Lake Pontchartrain. Except through these dredged channels, this waterway utilizes natural depths. The controlling depth of the waterway is the 9-foot depths through the dredged channels.

The Intracoastal Waterway is more fully described on page 211. Pass aux Herons connects the southwestern corner of Mobile Bay with the eastern end of Mississippi Sound. It is a dredged channel about 4 miles long; the project dimensions are 300 feet wide by 10 feet (3.0 m) deep. It is subject to some shoaling near its ends; in 1935 the controlling depth was 10 feet (3.0 m). Tidal currents run through the pass with considerable velocity. The channel is marked on the north side by lights and beacons, about 75 yards from the axis and by black can buoys on the south side. The bottom, in the channel at the Mississippi Sound end, is soft but hard at the eastern end. Grants Pass, one-fourth mile north of Pass aux Herons is a former toll pass; it is marked on the north side by single-pile beacons. There is still 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2.1 m) available through the pass, although it is no longer maintained.

Dauphin Island is a small fishing village and post office on the north shore of Dauphin Island. A draft of about 4 feet (1.2 m) can be carried close to shore, but it is necessary to land in small boats. Provisions, in very limited quantities, are available.

From Cedar Point there is a good road connecting with Mobile; local fish products are landed here and hauled to Mobile by truck. There are depths of 5 to 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 m) close in and 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 m) to the landing. Gasoline, oil, water, and provisions are available for small boats in limited quantity. To approach, leave Pass aux Herons at Light 6, heading 11⁄2 mile west of the point till 1/2 mile from shore and thence to a position off the point. Stakes sometimes mark the channel.

Coden is a small fishing village and resort town on the north shore of Mississippi Sound, northeast of Isle aux Herbes. The water front is exposed and most boats go to Bayou Labatre.

Bayou Labatre (population 964 by 1930 census) is a small fishing town about 12 miles above the mouth of Bayou Labatre which empties into the northeast corner of Mississippi Sound. The entrance to the bayou is marked by Bayou Labatre Light 2 on the east side of the entrance to the dredged channel across the bar and by Bayou Labatre Lighted Range; the channel has a depth of 6 feet (1.8 m). There is a railroad to Mobile and highway connection to

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both Mobile and Pascagoula. The principal industry is shrimp and oyster fishing; a large fleet of fishing boats operate out of the town and there are several large canneries. Petroleum fuels, water, ice, and small boat supplies are available; some coal is also available for small tugs. There are numerous stores, an ice plant, and two hotels. Petit Bois Pass, an entrance from the Gulf, between Dauphin and Petit Bois Islands, is seldom used except by fishing vessels of not more than 7 to 8 feet (2.1 to 2.4 m) draft. The channel is unmarked and changes frequently but can generally be followed by the deep green water during calm weather and by breakers during rough

weather.

Dog Keys Pass, lying about midway between Horn Island and Ship Island, is good for a draft of at least 12 feet (3.7 m) and is marked by buoys. It is used by small local craft, and has been used by three-masted schooners when it was not desirable to go to Horn Island Pass or Ship Island Pass.

HORN ISLAND PASS AND PASCAGOULA

(Chart 1267)

Horn Island Pass, the approach to the city of Pascagoula, leads between Petit Bois Island and Horn Island. A channel 21 feet (6.4 m) deep has been dredged through the pass but in 1935 the controlling depth was 19 feet (5.8 m). The entrance is marked by Horn Island Pass Bar Whistle Buoy and by Horn Island Pass Lighted Buoy 1; the unlighted buoys marking the channel are shifted from time to time to conform to changes in the channel. Vessels drawing more than 15 feet (4.6 m) should take a pilot.

Horn Island Lighthouse (Lat. 30°13'.9; Long. 88°29'.2) is a white wooden dwelling on black piles, 47 feet (14.3 m) above the water and visible 12 miles. The light is flashing white.

Pascagoula River Approach is a dredged channel leading from the deeper water of Mississippi Sound into the Pascagoula River. The project dimensions are 150 feet wide by 17 feet (5.2 m) deep; the channel is subject to shoaling but in January 1936 the controlling depth was 17 feet (5.2 m). The channel is well marked by lights and a lighted range and other aids.

Pascagoula River and its tributary Dog River are navigable for a draft of 17 feet (5.2 m) for 9 miles above Pascagoula to a large paper mill near Moss Point. In 1929 there was a controlling depth of 7 feet (2.1 m) in the Pascagoula River as far as Dead Lake, 28 miles above the mouth of the Dog River and 3 feet (0.9 m) for an additional 44 miles above Dead Lake to the junction of the Leaf and Chickasawhay Rivers. Pascagoula River and tributaries are important chiefly as waterways for logs, timber, and forest products.

The river is crossed at Pascagoula by a railroad bridge and a highway bridge, each having swing spans with horizontal clearances of 82 feet and vertical clearances of about 9 feet (2.7 m) above mean low water. Similar bridges cross the river at Moss Point. There are 2 lights and 2 lighted ranges about 3 miles above Pascagoula.

Prominent features.-About a mile to the eastward of the mouth of the Pascagoula River there is a tall elevated water tank, quite

prominent from offshore. There is a tall stack at Pascagoula and a tall elevated water tank at Moss Point which can also be seen from many points offshore.

Pascagoula (population 4,339 by the 1930 census) is a lumber shipping port on the north shore of Mississippi Sound, at the mouth of the Pascagoula River, 9 miles north-northwestward of Horn Island Pass. By water route, it is 68 miles west of Mobile and 48 miles east of Gulfport. It has both rail and highway connections with Mobile, New Orleans, and intermediate points. Provisions, gasoline, water, and some coal and ship supplies can be obtained. The city and wharves are along the east bank of the river. The municipal wharf just below the bridges is the only one available for the handling of general cargo; in 1935 it was being used principally by Government vessels. Water is piped to this wharf and there is a depth of 20 feet (6.1 m) alongside. There are marine ways with a lifting capacity of about 300 tons and capable of handling vessels up to 135 feet long and 8 to 9 feet (2.4 to 2.7 m) draft and repairs to hull and machinery of vessels up to this size can be made.

Moss Point is located on the Dog River about 2 miles above its junction with the Pascagoula River and about 7 miles above the town of Pascagoula. The lumber traffic of the port of Pascagoula originates at the mills at or near Moss Point. A depth of 17 feet (5.2 m) can be taken to the lumber docks but in 1935 practically all shipments were made by barge to Mobile, Gulfport, and New Orleans. Provisions, gasoline, water, and some coal can be obtained.

Pilots meet vessels by previous arrangements; the keeper at Horn Island Lighthouse will generally give notice of approaching vessels. Pilotage is compulsory for all foreign vessels and for United States vessels of over 250 tons unless having a licensed pilot aboard. There is a uniform pilotage charge of $4 per foot of actual draft in either direction except that vessels entering from Mississippi Sound are charged but $2 per foot.

There are no towboats stationed at Pascagoula.

Anchorage for vessels of over 15 feet (4.6 m) draft while loading is found on the north side of the eastern end of Horn Island; this anchorage is fairly well protected. Vessels of less draft go to the anchorage south of Light A or to Pascagoula if there is sufficient depth in the approach channel. Smaller vessels anchor in the river abreast of Pascagoula and larger vessels can anchor here if necessary. The harbormaster has control of vessels at the anchorages. Quarantine. Vessels subject to inspection are boarded at the quarantine anchorage off Comynie Bayou just inside the mouth of the river. Hospitals.-The nearest Public Health Service marine hospital is at Mobile and there are relief stations at Biloxi and at Gulfport. The Jackson County Hospital at Pascagoula is used, when necessary, by the Public Health Service.

Customs officers are stationed at Pascagoula.

Storm warnings (both day and night) are diplayed near the municipal wharf.

Tides and Currents.-The tides are chiefly diurnal. The mean rise and fall at Horn Island Pass and at the mouth of the river is about 134 feet. In the pass, the ebb current generally sets southeastward,

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and the flood northward and westward, across the shoals. In the dredged cut across the bar, the ebb and flood follow the directions of the cut. Winds greatly affect the velocity and direction of the currents, as well as the rise and fall of the tides.

Winds.-Northers occur occasionally during the winter months. They do not greatly affect vessels at the anchorages if provided with good ground tackle, except that they may prevent vessels at the Horn Island anchorage from loading for short periods.

The Port Series, volume No. 19, gives further detailed information regarding the port of Pascagoula. See page 4.

Directions-Courses and Distances for approaching Horn Island Pass Bar Whistle Buoy are given on page 61, and also under Coastwise Courses (Position No. 14).

The following Courses and Distances lead from Horn Island Pass Bar Whistle Buoy to Pascagoula. The Inland Rules apply north of a line from Mobile Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy to Ship Island Lighthouse.