a considerable distance past the lighted bell buoy before heading to the northward. This passage is well lighted.

Vessels bound for Mobile, New Orleans, etc., pass to the westward of Dry Tortugas.

Dry Tortugas (Chart 585) is a group of small sandy reefs and keys about 10 miles long in a northeast and southwest direction and about 5 miles wide, lying 58 miles westward of Key West. Pulaski Shoal, the northeastern end of this group, is 12 miles northwestward of Rebecca Shoal and is marked by Pulaski Shoal Light on the east side of the shoal. The keys are irregular in form, and in general rise abruptly from deep water, with fairly good channels between them. As the keys are low and generally barren of vegetation, with only seven of them showing above high water, they are not readily distinguished; but Fort Jefferson and Tortugas Harbor Unused Lighthouse on Garden Key, and Dry Tortugas Lighthouse, on Loggerhead Key, are good landmarks. On a clear day they may be seen at a distance of 10 to 12 miles, Garden Key having the appearance of a bare rocky island. Bird Key, a small key lying three-fourths mile southwestward of Fort Jefferson, is a national bird reservation.

Changes have been reported in depths and shoreline in vicinity of Garden Key as follows: Bird Key is almost entirely washed away; only a narrow ridge of white sand remaining. Long Key has built up and now extends southwestward to the vicinity of the channel abreast of Garden Key and is covered with bushes. The low-water area has extended to a point 100 yards southward of the south end of Garden Key and beyond the line of the face of the wharf prolonged. The slip back of the wharf has filled and is bare at low water. Čaution should be exercised when navigating in this vicinity.

When approaching Dry Tortugas from eastward or southeastward, the lead is of little use to give warning of danger, as 10 to 15 fathoms (18.3 to 27.4 m) is found close to the reefs in many places. The shoal extending south of Middle Key can be cleared by keeping south of the range: Dry Tortugas Lighthouse and the unused lighthouse on Garden Key; the buoy N2 is on this range. Approaching from northwestward or southwestward, the water shoals more gradually; but in thick weather a depth of 10 fathoms (18.3 m) is as close as any vessel should approach, unless sure of her position.

Tortugas Harbor Unused Lighthouse on Garden Key is a brown, hexagonal, pyramidal tower, 67 feet (20.4 m) high.

Dry Tortugas Lighthouse (Lat. 24°38'.0; Long. 82°54′.2) on Loggerhead Key is a conical tower, lower half white, upper half black. The light is flashing white (light 1 second, eclipse 19 seconds), 151 feet (46 m) above the water and visible 19 miles. A radiobeacon has been established at the light. (See Light List or Hydrographic Office Publication No. 205.)

There are two buoyed channels known as Southeast and Southwest, which lead to the anchorages among the reefs, and on a clear day no difficulty need be experienced by a medium-draft vessel in entering, as the shoals are readily distinguishable by the difference in color of the water. All of the channels, except that part of Southwest Channel southward and westward of buoy 2, have been closely developed by survey with lead, but have not been dragged to develop the least depths. The bottom is so rocky and broken and the rocky heads are

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so small in extent that vessels should exercise the greatest caution, even in the buoyed channels, where the depths are not more than about 10 or 12 feet (3 or 3.6 m) greater than the draft.

Southeast Channel leads between the reefs making off eastward from Long and Bush Keys and those making off westward from East, Middle, and Sand Keys. This channel has depths of 30 feet (9.1 m) or more, but it should be used with caution by vessels drawing over 18 feet (5.5 m).

Southwest Channel leads between the reefs making off southwestward and westward from Garden and Bird Keys and those extending southwestward from Loggerhead Key. The least found depth on the usual course is 6 fathoms (11 m), but it has not been closely developed outside of buoy 2. Tortugas Outside Lighted Whistle Buoy marks the entrance to the channel.

Northwest Channel has been abandoned and the buoys have been discontinued.

There are numerous places among the reefs where vessels can anchor and find shelter from winds from different quarters, according to circumstances. The anchorage affording best shelter from all winds, although somewhat open to the northward, is northward and northwestward of Garden Key. It has good holding ground, and the depths range from 8 to 10 fathoms (14.6 to 18.3 m). Excellent anchorage for small vessels and boats is found in the deep water known as Bird Key Harbor, close eastward of Bird Key, and also in what is known as Tortugas Harbor, the narrow channel leading to the wharf at Fort Jefferson through the reefs that surround Garden Key. Both entrance channels are from the northward and are well marked. The entrance to Bird Key Harbor is narrow and care is required to avoid the shoals on either side. These anchorages are used principally by the fishermen who frequent these waters. Fort Jefferson has been abandoned but has recently been renovated as a work relief project.

Currents. Current observations taken between Loggerhead Key and White Shoal indicate that the current changes from southward to northward about one-quarter hour after low water at Key West, and from northward to southward about one-quarter hour after high water at Key West. Velocities at strength of current approximate 111⁄2 knots. The velocities as well as the times of slack water are considerably influenced by the winds.

There are no regular pilots for Tortugas Harbor, but a competent fisherman or lighthouse keeper will usually come out and assist vessels to enter.

For 10 miles westward of Dry Tortugas the bottom is broken and irregular, and consists of coral rock with patches of sand and broken shell. The shoalest part of this area, known as Tortugas Bank, lies 7 miles west of Loggerhead Key, and has a least found depth of 38 feet (11.6 m), but it has not been closely developed. Depths of less than 10 fathoms (18.3 m) are found for a distance of 211⁄2 miles in all directions. Between Tortugas Bank and Dry Tortugas the depths range from 10 to 19 fathoms (18.3 to 34.7 m). Tortugas Bank should be avoided by deep-draft vessels, especially during heavy weather.

5. KEY WEST TO SAN CARLOS BAY

(Charts 1251, 1250, 1253, 1254, 1255)

From Cape Sable to San Carlos Bay the coast is low, sandy, and generally wooded, with few distinguishing features. Back of the coast is an extensive swampy region, practically uninhabited, known in the southern part as The Everglades. Off the coast the water is generally shoal, and the 10-fathom (18.3 m) curve roughly approaches a line drawn north-northwestward from Key West to Tampa Bay Entrance. This part of the coast is seldom approached by deepdraft vessels.

Vessels of moderate draft, bound from Key West up the west coast. of Florida, can lay a straight course from Northwest Channel to Sanibel Island Lighthouse, at the entrance to San Carlos Bay, a distance from Key West of 118 miles. This course lies well clear of all dangers, and the lighthouse on Sanibel Island is a good landfall during the day or night. However, on account of the frequency of northers during the winter months, this track is not recommended for small power boats, and the route across Florida Bay is to be preferred.

Small boat facilities.-The best places to take on fuel and supplies and to make repairs are Key West, Everglades, and Fort Myers; some supplies can be had at Marco and Naples and minor machine repairs can be made at Naples.

Local guides acquainted with this coast can be found at Key West, Everglades, and Marco and generally at the larger resort towns between Miami and Tampa.

Courses and distances for small craft crossing Florida Bay to Cape Sable are given under Directions and similar small craft routes through Florida Bay toward Biscayne Bay are described in the Inside Route Pilot, New York to Key West.

KEY WEST TO CAPE ROMANO

The northern side of the Florida Reef extends 33 miles east-northeastward from the north entrance to Northwest Channel. There are depths of but 1 to 2 feet (0.3 to 0.6 m) along the edge of the reef and Harbor Key Bank Light and Bull Frog Bank Light mark the northern extension of the_reef where the depths increase to the general depths of Florida Bay.

This section of the Florida Reef immediately to the eastward of Key West is from 7 to 13 miles in width to Hawk Channel which extends along the south side of the reef. The southern portion of the reef is covered by numerous islands, many of considerable size, which extend across the reef in a general northwest-southeast direction. These islands, or keys, are mostly covered with a growth of trees or heavy mangrove and the passages between them are invariably shallow.

The northern portion of the reef, between the islands and the Gulf, is mostly a wide expanse of open water with numerous mangrove keys scattered over it.

Across this northern portion of the reef, a small boat channel extends from Key West to Big Spanish Channel. This small boat channel follows a circuitous route between reefs and keys but is

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well marked by numerous beacons. This channel is good for a depth of about 2 feet (0.6 m) at low water and about 4 feet (1.2 m) at high water. The channel commences at the south side of Fleming Key in Key West Harbor and enters Big Spanish Channel just south of Porpoise Key. Chart 1251 is the best guide for this route but local knowledge is advisable before making the passage.

Big Spanish Channel, 26 miles eastward of Key West, is the first channel in this direction through which any considerable draft can be taken from Hawk Channel to the Gulf of Mexico. This channel extends northwestward from Bahia Honda Harbor for about 8 miles and then northward for about 4 miles along the west side of Big Spanish Key and a shoal extending north from this key to the Gulf. Harbor Key Bank Light marks the east side of the north end of the channel. The controlling depth is about 42 feet (1.4 m) and is found about 1 mile south of Big Spanish Key. At high water the effective depth is increased about 2 feet. The channel is well marked.

Between Northwest and Big Spanish Channels, several small boat channels lead southward from the Gulf on to the Reef. The first of these is Calda Channel leading to Key West; this is described on page 68.

Jewfish Channel (Harbor Channel), 6 miles eastward of Calda Channel and about 8 miles northeast of Key West, leads from the Gulf to Jewfish Lake which lies to the eastward of East Harbor Keys. The channel is not marked but it is clear and the middle grounds are visible at any tide. A depth of 5 feet (1.5 m) can be taken over the bar at mean low water and thence 7 feet (2.1 m) through the channel and into the lake which affords fair ånchorage in a moderate blow but is too exposed for a hurricane anchorage.

Johnson Key Channel, 13 miles eastward of Calda Channel, passes between Johnson and Sawyer Keys and forms a connection between the Gulf of Mexico and the shallow-draft boat channel northward of the keys from Big Spanish Channel to Key West. The channel had a controlling depth of 4 feet (1.2 m) in 1935; it is not marked and the entrance from the Gulf is hard to see and follow except at low tide. Johnson Key Channel is an excellent anchorage for small craft except in severe blows, being fairly well protected by keys and extensive shoals.

Sugarloaf Channel, is a southern extension of Johnson Key Channel; it furnishes a shallow draft connection between Hawk Channel and the small boat route north of the keys. This channel extends between Sugarloaf Key and Cudjoe Key and is well marked. The controlling depth is about 2 feet (0.6 m) and the controlling vertical clearance is 6 feet (1.8 m) under the highway bridge. Passage through the channel should not be attempted without local knowledge.

Florida Bay (charts 1251 and 1250) lying northward of Florida Keys, and between them and the south coast of the mainland of Florida, is a triangular-shaped body of water extending in a general east and west direction from Barnes Sound to Cape Sable. The depths are shallow and irregular, and the bottom is mostly coral, with a thin covering of silt in the eastern part. From April to October the waters of the bay are clear and the shoals plainly discernible, but during the winter months the water is frequently milky and the shoals indistinguishable.

In the eastern part of the bay there are numerous ridges and reefs, which show bare or nearly bare, and there is also a large number of small wooded keys. This part is navigable only for small craft, and is mostly frequented by small motor yachts, spongers, fishermen, and the inhabitants of the keys, who generally use flat-bottomed boats of 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 m) draft. The western part of the bay is comparatively clear, with depths ranging from 7 to 13 feet (2.1 to 4.0 m), and the bottom is covered with loggerhead sponges and small coral heads.

Moser Channel, 39 miles eastward of Key West, affords a passage between the Florida Keys from Hawk Channel to Florida Bay, which is used by vessels of 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2.1 m) draft, coming either from Key West or from the east coast of Florida, and bound to points on the west coast. By this route small craft find comparative shelter in the shallow waters of Florida Bay, and protected anchorages are at no great distance apart. Moser Channel is crossed at its southerly end by a drawbridge with an opening 106 feet wide on each side of the central pier. It is a girder bridge with 18 feet headroom through 65-foot openings.

A strong tidal current is always found, except at slack water, in Moser Channel in the vicinity of the bridge, and during spring tides there are overfalls which may swamp a small boat. This tidal current is caused by the difference in the tides on the south and north sides of the keys. Winds also affect the currents very noticeably. The northerly current is increased by easterly winds and the southerly current by westerly winds, due to the effect of these winds in driving out or piling up, respectively, the waters in Florida Bay. The flood current runs northward and the ebb current southward through the draw of the bridge.

Cape Sable (chart 1253), on the north side of Florida Bay, is the southwestern point of the mainland of Florida. It is low and wooded and has three points, known, respectively, as East Cape, Middle Cape, and Northwest Cape. A white sand beach extends completely about the cape. The three points are relatively steep-to and are partially cleared, with a growth of grass and coconut palms (palmettos on Northwest Cape).

A good anchorage for small vessels can be had 11⁄2 miles east and southeast of East Cape, in 8 to 10 feet (2.4 to 3.0 m) of water. There is good holding ground here, in even marl bottom, and it is well protected from northerly winds. There is also good anchorage in 7 feet (2.1 m) of water, three-fourths of a mile eastward of the easternmost horizontally striped beacon.

A drainage canal opens into the Bay 1 mile east of East Cape, into which a depth of 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 m) can be carried at low water by approaching from a due south direction. It affords good protection for any boat that can enter. Only trappers and fishermen frequent this locality.

From Northwest Cape the coast trends about north for 20 miles, and then northwestward for 30 miles to Cape Romano. For the greater part of this distance it is broken by innumerable small islands and keys, known as the Ten Thousand Islands, among which is a network of small rivers and bayous leading to the interior. The islands and keys are generally lumps of mud, low and densely wooded, and nearly impossible of identification by a stranger. They