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United States Coast Pilot, Section C, covering the coast and inland waters from Sandy Hook to Cape Henry, including Delaware and Chesapeake Bays, and the inside route from New York to Norfolk.

United States Coast Pilot, Section D, covering the coast from Cape Henry to Key West.

Inside Route Pilot, New York to Key West.

United States Coast Pilot, Gulf Coast (this volume), covering the coast and inland waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Additional information concerning the latest controlling depths in the Intracoastal Waterway can be secured at the various United States Engineer offices along the route.

THE ATLANTIC-GULF SHIP CANAL (PROPOSED)

The construction of a waterway across northern Florida to connect the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico has recently been begun. The route of the canal is via the St. Johns River to Palatka, thence in a southern and western direction to the Oklawaha and the Withlacoochee Rivers to deep water in the Gulf of Mexico. When completed the canal will have a depth of 30 feet (9.1 m), mean sea level, and widths as follows: 300 feet to Jacksonville; 400 feet, Jacksonville to Palatka; 250 feet, Palatka to the Gulf of Mexico; from 500 to 1,000 feet in the channel in the Gulf. The total length from deep water to deep water will be about 195 miles.

ROUTE ACROSS SOUTH FLORIDA

The passage across Florida from the Intracoastal Waterway on the East Coast to San Carlos Bay on the Gulf of Mexico by way of the St. Lucie River, St. Lucie Canal, Lake Okeechobee, and the Caloosahatchee River has a controlling depth of about 2 feet (0.6 m). This occurs in that section of the Caloosahatchee River which lies between Moore Haven and Fort Myers. It is reported that improvement work will shortly be undertaken to deepen this section to 6 feet. More detailed information regarding this route is given on page

103.

Latest information concerning this route can be secured at the United States Engineer District Office at Jacksonville, Fla., or at the office of the United States Engineers at Clewiston, Fla.

OTHER MOTORBOAT ROUTES IN FLORIDA

Much information on the waterways of Florida can be found in Senate Document No. 14, Seventy-first Congress, First Session, entitled "Inland and Coastal Waterways of Florida." Copies of this document can be secured from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C.

NEW YORK STATE CANAL SYSTEM

The New York State Barge Canal, known as the Erie Canal, affords an all-water route from the Hudson River on the east to Lake Erie. The canal is free for the use of both commercial and pleasure vessels. The canal was constructed for a depth of 12 feet throughout, but in 1930 the controlling depth was about 10 feet (3.0 m). Barges loaded to about 912 feet use the canal regularly.

There are 35 locks, the usable dimensions being 300 feet in length, 442 feet in width, and 12 feet (3.6 m) over the sills. The controlling clearance under fixed bridges is about 1412 feet (4.7 m).

If bound to Lake Ontario, the Erie Canal is followed to Three Rivers Point where the canalized Oswego River is entered and followed to Oswego on Lake Ontario. There are seven locks in the Oswego Canal, which is 24 miles in length. The locks are the same dimensions as those in the Erie Canal.

Troy to St. Lawrence River.-The Champlain Canal, Lake Champlain, and the Richelieu River afford an all-water route from Troy to the St. Lawrence River. The size of vessels using this route is limited by the locks in the Chambly Canal (Canadian), which have usable dimensions of 118 feet in length, 22 feet in width, and 612 feet (2.0 m) of water over the sills. The locks of the Champlain Canal are the same design as those in the Erie Canal. The distance from Albany to Montreal via this route is 309 statute miles. The Canadian Government requires permits or let-passes from pleasure boats entering Canadian waterways, which may be obtained at their canal statistical offices at St. Johns and Prescot. American vessels when leaving Canada should report at the customs office.

Charts of the Erie Canal, Champlain Canal, Lake Champlain, and Great Lakes are published by the United States Lake Survey Office, Detroit, Mich., and sections of the New York State canals by the Superintendent of Public Works, Albany, N. Y.

Ice.-Navigation in the upper Hudson River and the New York State Canal System is usually obstructed by ice from the middle of December to the latter part of March.

LAKES TO GULF WATERWAY

The Lakes to Gulf Waterway by way of the Illinois Waterway System and the Mississippi River affords passage for vessels from Chicago on Lake Michigan to the Gulf of Mexico, a distance of 1,630 statute miles.

The Illinois Waterway System permits a draft of 9 feet (2.7 m) to be taken from Chicago to the Mississippi River. The limiting clearance under fixed bridges between Chicago and Grafton, Ill., is 132 feet (4.1 m) at high water.

Charts of the Illinois Waterway System may be obtained from the District Engineer, First District, United States Engineer office, 333 North Michigan Avenue, room 1325, Chicago, Ill.

The Mississippi River.-This section of the waterway follows the natural and improved channels of the Mississippi River.

Grafton to Cairo.-The project depth is 9 feet (2.7 m) throughout, but this has not been attained between Grafton and St. Louis during very low waters. Between Grafton and the mouth of the Missouri River a channel depth of at least 6 feet can usually be depended upon, though during periods of very low water the controlling depths may be as little as 5 feet (1.5 m). Except for some delays during periods of very low water, navigation is relatively easy. The least vertical clearance of 44.6 feet (13.6 m), extreme high water, is at Merchants Bridge, St. Louis, Mo.

Cairo to Baton Rouge. The project depth of the channel is 9 feet (2.7 m). This dimension is greatly exceeded during medium and

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high stages, and at low stages except across under-water sand bars where channel dredging is necessary. Year-round navigation is easy except during periods of exceptionally low water, when some difficulty is experienced with large tows. The controlling vertical clearance is 56 feet (17 m) above the highest water on record at the fixed bridge at Vicksburg, Miss.

Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico. This section of the waterway is a ship channel navigated by large ocean-going vessels. Navigation is safe and easy at all seasons. The river current is sluggish for low water flows but during times of high water reaches 6 miles per hour. The effect of tide is felt as far north as Baton Rouge. On the completion of the bridge now being constructed 2 miles above New Orleans the controlling vertical clearance will be 135 feet (41.1 m) above ordinary high water.

Charts of the Mississippi River may be obtained from the office of the Mississippi River Commission, Box 665, Vicksburg, Miss.

Ice.-Navigation of the Illinois Waterway System is stopped by ice from about December 1 to March 1, and in the section of the Mississippi River between Grafton and Cairo usually between December 15 and February 15.

OTHER RIVER CHANNELS TRIBUTARY TO THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Upper Mississippi River.-A 9-foot (2.7 m) project depth has been adopted for the channel improvement of the Upper Mississippi from Grafton to St. Paul and Minneapolis. At present a channel with a controlling depth of 6 feet (1.8 m) is available to Minneapolis.

Charts and information relative to improvements and navigation may be obtained from the Mississippi River Commission, Box 665, Vicksburg, Miss.

Missouri River.-A 6-foot (1.8 m) project has been adopted for the Missouri River from its outlet into the Mississippi River 15 miles above St. Louis, to Sioux City. The section between the mouth and Kansas City is now open to navigation.

Charts and information relative to improvements and navigation may be obtained from the United States Engineer Offices, 232 Manufacturers Exchange Building, Kansas City, Mo., and City National Bank Building, Omaha, Neb.

Ohio River.-A 9-foot (2.7 m) project on the Ohio River has been completed and an excellent channel to Pittsburgh, and beyond, is available.

Charts and information relative to improvements and navigation may be obtained from the United States Engineer office, Custom House, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Red, Arkansas, and Ouachita Rivers.-These rivers flow into the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Cairo. The Red and Arkansas Rivers have not been improved to any great extent, but will accommodate light-draft river boats. The Ouachita River has been canalized to Camden, Ark., and provides a depth of 61⁄2 feet (2.0 m).

Charts and information relative to improvements and navigation may be obtained from the United States Engineer Offices, P. O. Drawer 667, Vicksburg, Miss., and P. O. Box 97, Memphis, Tenn.

Intracoastal Waterway.-Connection with the Intercoastal Waterway is made at New Orleans, La.

Ice.-Navigation in the upper reaches of the Mississippi River, and in the Missouri and Ohio Rivers is obstructed by ice in the winter months.

MISCELLANEOUS

Bridge Regulations.-Regulations for the lighting of bridges over navigable waters, also for lights on sheer booms, piers, dams, and similar obstructions to navigation are prescribed by the Department of Commerce. A copy of these regulations (see list of Publications, p. 342) will be sent free of charge to any shipmaster, pilot, or bridge owner on application to the Commissioner of Lighthouses, Department of Commerce, Washington, D. C.

The following regulations have been prescribed by the War Department to govern the operation of drawbridges which are now or may hereafter be constructed across all navigable waterways of the United States discharging their waters into the Atlantic Ocean south of and including Chesapeake Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico, excepting the Mississippi River and its tributaries:

1. The corporations or persons owning or controlling a drawbridge shall provide the same with the necessary tenders and the proper mechanical appliances for the safe, prompt, and efficient opening of the draw for the passage of vessels.

2. If the weather conditions are good and sound signals can be heard when a vessel approaches a drawbridge and desires to pass through the draw, three distinct blasts of a whistle, horn, or megaphone shall be sounded from the vessel when within reasonable hearing distance of the bridge.

When the draw of the bridge can be opened immediately, the draw tender shall reply by three distinct blasts of a whistle, horn, or megaphone or by three loud and distinct strokes of a bell.

When the draw of the bridge cannot be opened immediately or when the bridge is open and is to be closed immediately, the draw tender shall reply by two long distinct blasts of a whistle, horn, or megaphone or by two loud and distinct strokes of a bell.

3. When weather conditions prevent hearing the sound signals when a vessel approaches a drawbridge and desires to pass through the draw, signals shall be made from the vessel by swinging in circles at arm's length a lighted lantern at night and a flag by day.

When the draw of the bridge can be opened immediately, the draw tender shall reply by raising and lowering in vertical plane a number of times a lighted lantern at night and a flag by day.

When the draw of the bridge cannot be opened immediately or when the bridge is open and is to be closed immediately, the draw tender shall reply by swinging to and fro horizontally a number of times a lighted lantern at night and a flag by day.

4. When a vessel wishes to pass two or more bridges close together or, crossing a section of the waterway less than 500 feet in length, signals as prescribed above shall be given from the vessel for opening the first bridge, followed at an interval of about 5 seconds by the same signals for the second bridge, and so on, thus giving at intervals of about 5 seconds, separate signals for each bridge the vessel desires to pass.

5. When two or more vessels are approaching a bridge at nearly the same time from the same or opposite directions with the draw opened or closed, each of these vessels shall signal independently for the opening of the draw, and the draw tender shall reply as prescribed and in turn to the signal of each vessel.

6. Where bridges are less than 500 feet apart, the signals to govern the movements of the approaching vessel shall be given from the bridge nearest the vessel. If that bridge can be opened immediately, the bridge tender shall await the reply signals from the other bridges and then give the signal circumstances require. If the nearest bridge cannot be opened immediately, the

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prescribed signal shall be given the approaching vessel at once, to be followed as soon as possible by the signal from that bridge that the draws are about to open.

7. The draw shall be opened with the least possible delay, upon receiving the prescribed signal: Provided, That the draw span shall not be opened when a train is approaching so closely that it cannot safely be stopped before reaching the bridge, or when a passenger or mail train is approaching within sight or hearing of the operator of the draw span.

8. When a bridge tender is about to close a draw, he shall sound two distinct blasts of a whistle, horn, or megaphone, or two loud and distinct strokes of a bell.

9. Trains, wagons, and other vehicles shall not be stopped on a drawbridge for the purpose of delaying its opening, nor shall water craft or vessels be so manipulated as to hinder or delay the operation of a draw span, but all passage over, through, or under a drawbridge shall be prompt, to prevent delay to either land or water traffic.

10. These regulations shall be in force on and after January 1, 1930, and shall supersede the general bridge regulations approved October 12, 1925.

Protection of Navigable Waters.-There are given below extracts from the laws of the United States for the protection and preservation of the navigable waters of the United States.

That it shall not be lawful to throw, discharge, or deposit, or cause, suffer, or procure to be thrown, discharged, or deposited either from or out of any ship, barge, or other floating craft of any kind, or from the shore, wharf, manufacturing establishment, or mill of any kind, any refuse matter of any kind or description whatever other than that flowing from streets and sewers and passing therefrom in a liquid state, into any navigable water of the United States, or into any tributary of any navigable water from which the same shall float or be washed into such navigable water; and it shall not be lawful to deposit, or cause, suffer, or procure to be deposited material of any kind in any place on the bank of any navigable water, or on the bank of any tributary of any navigable water, where the same shall be liable to be washed into such navigable water, either by ordinary or high tides, or by storms or floods, or otherwise, whereby navigation shall or may be impeded or obstructed.

That it shall not be lawful to tie up or anchor vessels or other craft in navigable channels in such a manner as to prevent or obstruct the passage of other vessels or craft; or to voluntarily or carelessly sink, or permit or cause to be sunk, vessels or other craft in navigable channels; or to float loose timber and logs, or to float what is known as sack rafts of timber and logs in streams or channels actually navigated by steamboats in such manner as to obstruct, impede, or endanger navigation. And whenever a vessel, raft, or other craft is wrecked and sunk in a navigable channel, accidentally or otherwise, it shall be the duty of the owner of such sunken craft to immediately mark it with a buoy or beacon during the day and a lighted lantern at night, and to maintain such marks until the sunken craft is removed or abandoned, and the neglect or failure of the said owner so to do shall be unlawful; and it shall be the duty of the owner of such sunken craft to commence the immediate removal of the same, and prosecute such removal diligently, and failure to do so shall be considered as an abandonment of such craft, and subject the same to removal by the United States as hereinafter provided for.

That, except in case of emergency imperiling life or property, or unavoidable accident, collision, or stranding, and except as otherwise permitted by regulations prescribed by the Secretary as hereinafter authorized, it shall be unlawful for any person to discharge, or suffer, or permit the discharge of oil by any method, means, or manner into or upon the coastal navigable waters of the United States from any vessel using oil as fuel for the generation of propulsion power, or any vessel carrying or having oil thereon in excess of that necessary for its lubricating requirements and such as may be required under the laws of the United States and the rules and regulations prescribed thereunder. The Secretary is authorized and empowered to prescribe regulations permitting the discharge of oil from vessels in such quantities, under such conditions, and at such times and places as in his opinion will not be deleterious to health or sea food, or a menace to navigation, or dangerous to persons or property engaged in commerce on such waters, and for the loading, handling, and unloading of oil,