ST. JEROME CREEK

[Chart 1224]

is on the western side of Chesapeake Bay 5 miles north of Point Lookout and 21⁄2 miles 253° true (W. by S. mag.) from Point No Point Lighthouse. It is shoal and of little importance; some oysters, wood, and farm products are shipped in light-draft vessels, but it is principally used as an anchorage for small craft engaged in oystering and fishing. The channel is subject to change. There is a buoy off the entrance and a light on Deep Point, the south entrance point. There is a store at the landing on Otter Point, just inside the entrance. The general depths in the creek are 4 to 7 feet (1.2 to 2.1 m.) as shown on the chart. The entrance to the south branch of the creek between Otter Point and Deep Point is nearly bare at low water, and this shoal extends northward of the line joining the points.

PATUXENT RIVER

[Chart 539]

on the western side of Chesapeake Bay, 87 miles above the entrance and 64 miles below Baltimore, has a depth of 30 feet (9.2 m.) into the entrance ard 23 feet (7 m.) to Benedict, 12 feet (3.6 m.) to Jones Point, 9 feet (2.7 m.) to Lyons Creek Wharf, and 7 feet (2.1 m.) to Bristol Landing, at distances of 182, 28, 36, and 40 miles, respectively, above Drum Point at the entrance. The mouth of the river forms a secure anchorage for vessels of any draft and is extensively used. Steamers from Baltimore of 8 to 9 feet (2.4 to 2.7 m.) draft make regular trips to Millstone Wharf and Solomons, and a river steamer runs from Solomons to the principal landings as far as Nottingham. The river and its tributaries are also frequented by schooners and a few barges carrying wood products, and in the lower end by vessels engaged in the oystering and fishing industry.

Cedar Point Lighthouse, on the end of the point on the south side at the entrance is a flashing light on a post. A tank back of the point is prominent.

The entrance to the river is easy of access either by day or by night for vessels of 24 feet (7.3 m.) draft without a pilot, and vessels of 28 feet (8.5 m.) can enter by following the directions on page 184. The channel between the entrance and Benedict is narrow in places but is comparatively straight except off Point Patience, and the most prominent shoals are marked. Strangers should have little trouble in taking a draft of 15 feet (4.5 m.) to Sheridan Point and 12 feet (3.6 m.) to Benedict in the daytime with the aid of the chart. Above Benedict the channel is narrow in places and obstructed by shoals and is not sufficiently well marked to be followed by strangers.

The most prominent mark in approaching Patuxent River from southward is the tall tank on Cedar Point, and from northward is Cove Point Lighthouse (flashing white) and the high bluffs at Little Cove Point, 112 miles southward. In the entrance the most prominent marks are Drum Point Lighthouse (fixed white), white house on piles, and the fish factories and other buildings at Solomons Island. Cove Point Lighthouse gives fog signals on an electric nautophone, blast 3 seconds, silent 7 seconds, or on a bell if nautophone

is disabled. It also has a radiobeacon, particulars for which are given on page 16. It serves as a vessel reporting station, for day service, reporting by telephone to Baltimore.

Drum Point Lighthouse has red sectors covering shoals off Drum Point, Hog and Fishing Points, and Sandy Point. Fog signal is given on a bell, 2 strokes every 15 seconds.

Solomons Island, 134 miles west of Drum Point, is the site of a village (Solomons post office) composed mostly of fishermen and oystermen. There is a depth of 18 feet (5.5 m.) at low water at the steamer dock on the northeast end of the island and 12 feet (3.6 m.) at the gasoline station wharf in the cove on the north side of the village. There is 15 feet (4.5 m.) generally in the cove, except off the southward of the small island near its center. It is used as an anchorage by many yachts and by the fishermen. There are several shipyards and marine railways, the largest capable of hauling out vessels of 200 tons, 125 feet length, and 10 feet (3 m.) draft. Gasoline, water, ice, and provisions may be obtained.

Mill Creek, opposite Solomons Island, has a depth of 22 feet feet (6.7 m.) in the entrance and 12 feet (3.6 m.) for 14 miles above in the main branch and 3⁄44 mile above in the western branch (Back Creek).

The approach to Mill Creek is marked by a beacon and buoys. The deepest draft can be taken to the entrance by heading for the building on the point at the eastern side of the entrance on a 330° true (NNW. 1 W. mag.) course, passing eastward of the beacon and entering the creek in mid-channel. A draft of 12 feet (3.6 m.) or more can be taken to the entrance from eastward by following the north shore at a distance of 200 yards, passing northward of a middle ground marked by buoys and covered with oyster stakes.

Solomons Island is connected with the mainland by a low fixed bridge which prevents navigation around the western end.

Millstone Landing and post office is a steamer stop and post office about 2 miles southeastward of Solomons Island and connected with it by a ferry.

Town Point is low and bare and has a steamboat landing (Spencers Wharf) and several buildings on the north side. The end of the shoal off this point is marked by a buoy.

Mill Creek and Cuckold Creek have a common entrance with a depth of 15 feet (4.5 m.), 1 mile northwestward of Point Patience. Cuckold Creek has a depth of 12 feet (3.6 m.) for 34 mile and 8 feet (2.4 m.) for a farther distance of 3/4 mile, and Mill Creek has a depth of 12 feet (3.6 m.) for 34 mile and 8 feet (2.4 m.) for a farther distance of 1/4 mile. The deepest draft entering are schooners drawing 10 feet (3 m.). A black buoy on the end of the shoal on the north side at the entrance is the only mark. In approaching the entrance, pass 400 yards southward of the buoy and 600 yards northward of the point south-southwestward of it. The mid-channel is clear above the entrance.

Hellens Creek, 134 miles above Point Patience, has a depth of 3 feet (0.9 m.) across the bar at the entrance and 10 feet (3 m.) inside for 34 mile. It is principally used as a harbor for small boats. The best water favors the eastern side in entering.

St. Leonards Creek, on the northeast side 712 miles above Drum Point, has a depth of 16 feet (4.8 m.) into the entrance and 10 feet (3 m.) for 211⁄2 miles above. The lower end of the creek forms a safe anchorage in any weather in depths of 16 to 23 feet (4.8 to 7 m.). Petersons Point Light (fixed white) is the principal guide to the entrance. In entering pass 600 yards eastward of the light and follow a mid-channel course through the mouth. The mid-channel is clear for 21⁄2 miles above.

Sotterley Wharf is on the southwest side of the river westward of the entrance to St. Leonards Creek.

Broome Island is a low bare point marked by Broome Island Light (fixed red). Broome Island post office is a small village northward of the point. Island Creek, on the east side of Broome Island, has a depth of 10 feet (3 m.) for 3/4 mile above the entrance, but there are unmarked shoals close to the channel. It is little used except by small local craft.

Parkers Wharf is on the north side 111⁄2 miles north-northwestward of Broome Island Light. The best water in approaching Parkers Wharf is from south-southeastward. Give the western side of Broome Island a berth of 3% mile.

Forrest Wharf is on the southwest side of the river 25% miles above Broome Island Light.

Battle Creek, on the north side northward of Forrest Wharf, has a depth of 10 feet (3 m.) for 2 miles above the entrance, and is navigable for small boats for a farther distance of about 2 miles. The deepest draft entering are schooners drawing 10 feet (3 m.). The entrance should be approached on a northeasterly course to avoid unmarked shoal spots on either side. The ruins of a wharf and freight house are on the eastern side at the entrance.

Dukes Wharf is on the south side of Sheridan Point 6 miles above Broome Island Light. Directly opposite on the southwest side are Washington and Persimmon Creeks, both shoal and little used.

Trent Hall Creek and Indian Creek, on the west side just below Benedict, have depths of 5 feet (1.5 m.) in the entrances and 3 feet (0.9 m.) to near the heads.

Benedict is a village on the western side of Patuxent River 1812 miles above the entrance. A cannery with twin stacks and a church spire are prominent. Schooners of 10 to 17 feet (3 to 5.2 m.) draft sometimes ascend the river to this point. The wharf has a depth of 9 feet (2.7 m.) at the end; there is a shoal southward of it which can be avoided by approaching the wharf on a northwesterly or westerly course.

Hallowing (Holland) Point is a steamer landing directly opposite Benedict. There are numerous landings on both sides of Patuxent River between Benedict and the head, but the only villages are Lower Marlboro on the east side and Nottingham on the west side, distant 10 and 15 miles, respectively, above Benedict.

Swanson Creek, on the west side 112 miles above Benedict, has depths of 2 to 4 feet (0.6 to 1.2 m.) and is little used.

Hunting Creek, just above on the east side, has a depth of 3 feet (0.9 m.) across the flats at the entrance and for a distance of 3 miles above. It is frequented by motor boats and lighters. A railroad

bridge having a draw opening 74 feet wide crosses the river 1 mile below Bristol Landing.

Western Branch, entering the river just above the bridge, is not navigable except for a short distance above the mouth.

Upper Marlboro is a village on the railroad, 134 miles westward of the fixed bridge at the head of navigation on Patuxent River. Anchorage.-Deep-draft vessels frequently anchor in the mouth of the river for the night. Shelter from westerly winds is found in 312 to 4 fathoms (6.4 to 7.3 m.) from 24 to 311⁄2 miles southward of Cove Point Lighthouse and quite close in to the shore. If seeking shelter from easterly winds, stand into the entrance and anchor in 5 to 10 fathoms (9.1 to 18.3 m.) in the channel about 11⁄2 miles above Drum Point Lighthouse. Good anchorage for light-draft vessels is found close into the north bank westward of Drum Point Lighthouse, taking care not to get aground on the oyster bank, which is marked by buoys. Small local vessels up to 10 feet (3 m.) draft anchor in Mill Creek or in the cove behind Solomons Island, but there is little room to swing at this anchorage. St. Leonards Creek is a safe anchorage for small vessels in any weather. The bottom in the channel as far as Benedict is generally soft, and vessels can anchor where convenient.

Supplies.-Gasoline and provisions are obtainable at Solomons, Benedict, and Lower Marlboro, and provisions at Nottingham. There is artesian water near the wharves at Solomons and Benedict. Coal in limited quantities can sometimes be obtained from the fish factories or canneries.

Repairs to hulls of small vessels and minor repairs to machinery can be made at Solomons, but Baltimore is the nearest place for extensive repairs to hull or machinery.

Pilots can be obtained at Solomons or Benedict. If the directions are closely followed, a pilot is not required below Benedict, but strangers, unless in small boats, should not go above that place with

out one.

Ice closes the river to near the mouth in severe winters.

Tides. The mean range of tides is 1.2 feet at the entrance, 1.6 feet at Benedict, and 2.5 feet at Nottingham.

Directions, Patuxent River

[Abbreviations for lights: F., fixed; Fl., flashing; R., red.

wise indicated]

Color white unless other

Approach to wharves on a westerly course to avoid the 6-foot (1.8 m.) shoal south of them.

Or proceed up the river, being guided by the buoys and the chart. Difficulty will be had in crossing the broad part of the river 1 mile below Nottingham, where there is a depth of 9 feet (2.7 m.) in a very narrow channel. The best water follows a curved line favoring the western shore. There is a stone pile, with a depth of 5 feet (1.5 m.), over it, near the center of this broad section.

PATUXENT RIVER TO SEVERN RIVER

[Chart 1225]

The western side of Chesapeake Bay for a distance of 23 miles northward from Cove Point is unbroken by tributaries, and is generally high and wooded. The 5-fathom (9.1 m.) curve is nowhere more than 15% miles from shore. The outer limit of possible fish traps is marked by a line of black and white buoys shown on the chart.

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