MOBJACK BAY TO PIANKATANK RIVER

The shoals on the west side of Chesapeake Bay between Mobjack Bay and Rappahannock River are generally more or less obstructed by fish traps during the season. The limits of the fish traps along the west side of the bay in this vicinity are shown on Chart 1223.

The directions for this locality route vessels through the channels clear of fish traps. Other courses may be used where local knowledge of the locations of traps is available.

Horn Harbor, 3 miles northward of New Point Comfort Lighthouse, has a depth of about 32 feet (1 m.) across the bar at the entrance and 6 to 15 feet (1.8 to 4.5 m.) in a narrow channel inside for about 2 miles above the bar. It is considerably used as a harbor by fishing and oyster boats. The depth of the bar is subject to some change. The best water favors the western shore in entering and is marked by light beacons. There is a small marine railway here. Winter Harbor and the other sloughs and creeks having their entrance 42 miles north-northeastward of New Point Comfort Lighthouse are shoal at the entrance and generally consist of mud flats bare at low water inside. They are little used.

PIANKATANK RIVER

[Charts 534 and 1223]

just south of Rappahannock River entrance, has a depth of 12 feet (3.6 m.) to within 21⁄2 miles of the village of Freeport, and 6 feet (1.8 m.) to Freeport. Small boats and lighters can go several miles above Freeport. Steamers from Baltimore drawing 8 feet (2.4 m.) make landings in Milford Haven and at Warehouse Wharf. River landings above this point are served by connecting gasoline launches. Schooners up to 12 feet (3.6 m.) draft carrying wood products also make use of the river.

The river is marked by Stingray Point Lighthouse (fixed red), white house on piles, on the north side at the entrance, and by several lights and buoys, but the channel is obstructed by many shoal spits and middle grounds. Strangers should have no trouble in taking a draft of 10 feet (3 m.) to Doctor Point, 11 miles above the entrance, with the aid of the chart.

Between Doctor Point and Freeport the channel is shoal and very narrow in places. It is usually marked by bush stakes but is difficult without local knowledge. Schooners and barges usually complete their loading from lighters about 211⁄2 miles below Freeport. Gasoline and some provisions can be obtained at Green Point (Dixie post office), southward of Wilton Point, and at Freeport.

Hills Bay, on the south side of Piankatank River just inside the entrance, forms the approach to Milford Haven and Queens Creek. Milford Haven can be entered from Piankatank River at the northwest end and from Chesapeake Bay at the southeast end. The entrance at the southeast end has a depth of 3 feet (0.9 m.) and is used by small local boats, but is unmarked, exposed to a heavy sea, and difficult without local knowledge. The main entrance, at the northwest end, has been improved by dredging a channel 10 feet (3 m.) deep and 200 feet wide from Hills Bay to Callis Wharf (Grimstead post office), on the north side 3/4 mile above the entrance, and by the construction of a jetty 1,200 feet long on the north side at the entrance. The controlling depth in December, 1928, to Callis Wharf was 9.5 feet (2.8 m.). There is a depth of 62 feet (1.9 m.) from Callis Wharf to Fitchetts Wharf and post-office, on the south

side of Stutts Creek 3 miles above. Steamers from Baltimore make regular trips to the landings in Milford Haven as far as Fitchetts Wharf. The entrance to the dredged channel is marked by a buoy, and the most prominent shoals as far as Fitchetts Wharf are marked by single pile beacons with slatted daymarks, maintained by steamboat company.

In entering Milford Haven a 185° true (S. by W. mag.) course with Stove Point Light astern will lead through Hills Bay to the entrance. Pass 75 yards eastward of the red buoy, follow the jetty at a distance of 60 yards to the inner end, and then head for Cricket Hill Wharf. From this wharf steer 45° true (NE. 1⁄2 E. mag.) with Callis Wharf a little on the port bow for 350 yards, to avoid a shoal on the northwest side, marked by a beacon, and then bring Callis Wharf well on the starboard bow until close to it to avoid a shoal making off the southern shore, nearly bare at extreme low water and marked by a beacon. From Callis Wharf to Fitchetts Wharf follow a general mid-channel course and give the points a good berth, being guided by the chart. There are stores at Callis Wharf, and gasoline is obtainable.

Queens Creek, at the southwest end of Hills Bay, is obstructed by a bar with a depth of 12 feet (0.4 m.) at the mouth. It is frequented only by small local boats and is unmarked.

Fishing Bay, on the north side, has depths of 19 to 20 feet (5.8 to 6.1 m.), and at its head is a marine railway capable of hauling vessels of 6-foot (1.8 m.) draft, 152 feet length, and 350 tons weight. Ice.-Piankatank River is closed by ice for short periods only, during severe winters.

Tides. The mean range of tides is 1.2' feet at the entrance.

Directions, Piankatank River. To avoid possible fish traps vessels should approach Piankatank River, heading toward fish-trap buoys Nos. 4W and 6W on any course between 257° and 310° true. From midway between these buoys head for Stove Point on course 246° true (WSW. % W. mag.), passing between the fish-trap buoys, to 0.3 mile westward of buoy No. 3, then steer 189° true (S. by W. % W. mag.), passing 200 yards westward of Cherry Point light (fixed white), and around Stove Point light (fixed red) at the same distance. When west of it follow a northwesterly course to a position 0.3 mile north of buoy No. 5, then steer 289° true (NW. by W. 34 W. mag.) with Roane Point light (fixed white) slightly on the starboard bow until off Iron Point, crossing a, shoal with least depth of 11 feet (3.3 m.), then haul around to course 307° true (NW. W. mag.) and pass midway between the light and the northshore. Continue on up the river using the chart as a guide, there being no further artificial aids to navigation.

RAPPAHAN NOCK RIVER

[Charts 534, 535, and 536]

on the western side of Chesapeake Bay, 40 miles above the entrance and 111 miles below Baltimore, is the approach to the city of Fredericksburg, at the head of navigation 95 miles above the entrance, and to numerous villages and landings. Steamers from Baltimore and Norfolk of 7 to 10 feet (2.1 to 3 m.) draft make regular trips

to the principal wharves on the river and its tributaries as far as Sharps Wharf; above this point only the Norfolk steamer navigates, going as far as Fredericksburg.

The lower end of the river is frequented by fish steamers of 9 to 11 feet (2.7 to 3.3 m.) draft, and by many smaller craft engaged in the oystering and fishing industry. Fredericksburg has some trade in wood products, carried mostly in barges of 8 to 9 feet (2.4 to 2.7 m.) draft. The tributaries have some trade in farm and wood products, carried in barges, lighters, and schooners.

Channel.-Rappahannock River has a natural channel 30 feet (9.1 m.) deep for 26 miles, and 14 feet (4.2 m.) deep to the town of Tappahannock, 39 miles above the entrance. Above Tappahannock the river is being improved, and in January, 1929, the controlling depth to Fredericksburg was 9.6 feet (2.9 m.)

Westland Wharf and post office is on the north side, 3/4 mile westward of Windmill Point. North End Wharf (Grinels post office) is on the south side, 3 miles westward of Stingray Point. Each is distinguished by several white buildings on the end of the wharf.

Mill Creek and Lockley Creek, on the south side of Rappahannock River 6 miles westward of the entrance, have depths of 5 feet (1.5 m.) or more until well inside the entrances, and are frequented by many small local craft. There are railways in both creeks capable of hauling out boats of 30 feet length and 4 feet (1.2 m.) draft. The approach to Mill Creek is marked by two lights. Mill Creek Wharf, eastward of the entrance to Mill Creek, can be reached with a draft of 9 feet (2.7 m.) at low water. To enter, give the edge of the shoal northeastward of Parrot Island a good berth, steer 231° true (SW. by W. mag.) for the outer light, and pass 50 yards eastward of it on a 197° true (SSW. mag.) course. Το go farther in, the best water will be carried by passing about 200 feet off the wharf, the same distance southward and westward of the inner light, and then with that light astern steer for Clarks (formerly Woodland) Wharf until less than 300 yards from it. Lockley Creek is marked by two buoys on its north side. A light off Grey Point serves as an aid in approaching the creek.

A channel dredged 4 feet (1.2 m.) deep in 1925 leads from the mouth of Mill Creek to that of Lockley Creek.

Lockley Creek is easily approached by passing midway between the fixed light off Grey Point and Parrot Island, then hauling to southward and with the light astern steering to pass 50 yards eastward of buoy No. 2. Head for the mouth of the creek, keeping south of the spar buoy marking a shoal off the northern point.

Whitestone Wharf (Taft post office), marked by a prominent red building, is on the north side of Rappahannock River 6 miles above Windmill Point. A fish factory and a wharf are located on Cherry Point.

Carter Creek, on the north side of Rappahannock River 91⁄2 miles above Stingray Point, is the approach to the villages of Weems and Irvington. It has several oyster houses and a fish factory, is the center of a large oystering and fishing industry, and is extensively used as an anchorage by local vessels. The channel has been improved by dredging, and in December, 1928, had a controlling depth

of 16 feet (4.8 m.) with a width of 200 feet in the entrance channel, and 14 feet (4.2 m.), with width of 100 feet in the inner channel at Galley Hook Point. There is an ice plant on the east side of Carter Creek where both ice and water can be obtained. Above this point there are two marine railways, the larger one being able to haul vessels of 12 feet (3.6 m.) draft, 180 feet length, and 1,000 tons. There are also machine shops well equipped to handle repairs to machinery of any of the vessels that can enter the creek. Gasoline, oil, and provisions can be obtained at either Irvington or Weems. The mean range of tides is 1.4 feet (0.4 m.).

To enter Carter Creek, pass between the flashing white light and buoy No. 2, on a 10° true (N. by E. 3% E. mag.) course, pass close westward of buoy No. 4 and the fixed red light and steer for the wharf at Weems. From Weems Wharf steer a little to the southward of Galley Hook Point light (fixed white), then toward the point south of Irvington, and when the main wharf at Irvington bears about 51° true steer for it.

Corrotoman River, on the north side of Rappahannock River 12 miles above the entrance, has a depth of 18 feet (5.5 m.) to the junction of Eastern and Western Branches, 4 miles above the entrance. Eastern Branch has a depth of 9 feet (2.7 m.) for 212 miles and 6 feet (1.8 m.) for a farther distance of 3/4 mile. Western Branch has a depth of 12 feet (3.6 m.) for 211⁄2 miles and 6 feet (1.8 m.) for a farther distance of 1 mile. The channel is obstructed by shoal spits and middle grounds, but the principal shoals as far as the fork, and for 11⁄2 mile above in Western Branch, are marked by buoys and lights. Millenbeck Wharf and post office, on the western side 11⁄2 miles above the entrance, and Ottomans Wharf and Merry Point Wharf and post office, on Western Branch, 34 and 1 mile, respectively, above the fork, are the principal landings. There are stores at Millenbeck and Merry Point. There is also a wharf on the eastern side at the entrance. The mean range of the tides is 1.4 feet.

Directions, Corrotoman River.-Head for Millenbeck Bar buoy No. 1 on any course between 357° and 33° true. Round it to the eastward at 100 yards distance and, when north of it, steer 287° true (WNW. mag.) until Millenbeck Wharf bears 337° true. Then steer for the wharf and, when west of Corrotoman Point Light (fixed red), steer 40° true (NE. % E. mag.) until buoys Nos. 4 and 6 are in range, haul to a true north course and pass 75 to 100 yards west of them and between Bar Point Light (fixed white) and the point opposite. When West Point Light (fixed red) bears 318° true (NW. 34 N. mag.), steer for it, rounding it to the westward at a distance of 100 yards, pass close eastward of buoy No. 5, and head for Merry Point Wharf. Beyond this point or in Eastern Branch the chart is the guide.

Burhans Wharf (Cooper post office) is on the south side of Rappahannock River southwestward of the entrance to Corrotoman River.

Urbanna Creek, on the southwest side of Rappahannock River, 15 miles above the entrance, has been improved by dredging a channel 10 feet (3 m.) deep and 150 feet wide across the bar at the entrance, and to the steamboat wharf at Urbanna 1⁄2 mile above,