Wight Bays. Close to the south side of Isle of Wight Bay and 114 miles southeastward of Keyser Point there are two low, grassy islands (Collier Islands); the best water, about 2 or 22 feet (0.6 or 0.7 m.), leads about 1/4 mile northwestward of them, and then follows the shore through the narrow slough southward of them, and then favors the western side of Sinepuxent Bay to the drawbridges at Ocean City.

Ocean City to Chincoteague, distance 30 miles.-The least depth from Ocean City to the north end of Chincoteague Bay is 212 feet (0.7 m.), and from there to Chincoteague is 5 feet (1.5 m.).

From the drawbridges at Ocean City the best water favors the east side of Sinepuxent Bay for 400 yards, and then the west side for about 111⁄2 miles, until near the ruins of a pile jetty crossing the bay from Coffin Point. It leads through the eastern opening in the jetty, then in mid-channel until just northward of Sandy Point, and then favors the western side to South Point. For a distance of 3/4 mile southward from Sandy Point the channel is narrow and lies about 1/4 mile from the west shore.

The waterway rounds South Point at a distance of about 200 yards and follows the marsh northwestward at a distance of about 300 yards. There is a house and barn 1/4 mile eastward of Island Point; pass about 150 yards southward of Island Point, and bring the house and barn astern on a westerly course until about 11⁄2 mile from Island Point. Then head for Robins Marsh (covered by bushes) and pass 1/4 mile eastward of it. Then head a little westward of Big Bay Point until about 1 mile from it, and then pass 1/4 mile eastward of it. Pass about 250 yards off the southeast end of Big Bay Point, about 1/4 mile westward of White Rock (bare at extreme low water and usually marked by bush stakes), and about 1/4 mile eastward of Assacorkin Island. Pass about 200 yards eastward of the southeast end of Mills Island, and between the two largest islets southeastward of that point on a southwesterly course; shoals extending a short distance southward from these islets are sometimes marked by bush stakes.

Pass 1/4 mile eastward of the island off Long Point, steer southwestward for 3/4 mile, and then bring the railroad wharf at Franklin City astern and pass 200 to 300 yards westward of light No. 4 (fixed red). Then head for light No. 5 (fixed white), pass close eastward of it, and head for a position about 200 yards northwestward of Killick Shoal Lighthouse (fixed white), white dwelling on piles. Pass 75 yards southwestward of the lighthouse and follow the curve of the channel, passing southwestward of light No. 2 (fixed red) and eastward of lights Nos. 3 (fixed white) and 1 (fixed white), to the wharves at Chincoteague.

With adverse winds the canal west of Bethany Beach nearly goes dry and boats have been marooned there for 10 days at a time.

Chincoteague to Wachapreague Inlet, distance 33 miles.— The least depth is not more than 1 foot (0.3 m.) at mean low water, and it often goes bare in places. There is 3 or 4 feet (0.9 or 1.2 m.) at mean high water, and it is only used at half tide or higher. The deepest draft using it is 4 feet (1.2 m.) and usual draft 2 or 3 feet (0.6 or 0.9 m.). Navigation is difficult, and local knowledge is necessary. The shoalest places are found in Kegotank, Metomkin, Cross

Broad Water, and Floyds Bays. Boats from Chincoteague southward can carry the best water by leaving on the last of the ebb tide, and from Wachapreague northward by leaving about 2 hours after the beginning of the flood. A little deeper draft can be carried northward than southward on a single tide. A drawbridge crosses Chincoteague Channel at Chincoteague; width of openings, 55 feet, with 18 feet headroom at low water.

From the wharves at Chincoteague the route follows Chincoteague Channel southwestward to Chincoteague Point, rounds the point between the fixed red light and the nun buoy off it, and runs southeasterly to a position about 0.4 mile northwestward of the channel can buoy between Assateague Point and Gunboat Point. Then the route crosses over to Gunboat Point, passing over a bar with 4 feet (1.2 m.) least depth, and follows along the shore westward, keeping about 250 yards off it, to Ballast Narrows. It leads westward through Ballast Narrows, through Island Hole Narrows, and then in a dredged channel across Bogues Bay, 42 feet (1.3 m.) deep in 1929, and through Cat Creek, 5 feet (1.5 m.) deep in June, 1929; the dredged channel is marked by spoil banks. At the south end of Cat Creek the waterway follows the easternmost narrow slough to Hog Creek, and down the latter to Assawaman Inlet.

From Assawaman Inlet the waterway leads northwestward in Assawaman Creek for 11⁄2 mile, then westward through a short cut-off, and then follows the most westerly thoroughfare, as shown on the chart, to the northwest end of Kegotank Bay. It passes westward of an islet on the west side of Kegotank Bay, and then leads southeastward across the bay (least depth at low water is 1 foot (0.3 m.)) to the easternmost narrow slough at its south end. It then follows this slough and North Gargathy Creek southward to Gargathy Inlet, and South Gargathy Creek westward and southwestward to Metomkin Bay. There is a shanty on the west side of the thoroughfare at its outlet into Metomkin Bay.

The best water leads westward of two islets just after entering Metomkin Bay, then southeastward for about 1/4 mile, then favors the east side of the bay, where the water is from 1 to 2 feet (0.3 to 0.6 m.) deep at low water, and passes through the eastern slough in its southern part, as shown on the chart, to Metomkin Inlet. From here it leads westward through Longboat Creek, through the middle of Cross Broad Water to its south end (least depth 2 feet (0.6 m.)), westward through Teagles Ditch, southwestward near the middle of the north part of Floyds Bay (least depth 1 foot (0.3 m.)) for 1 mile, and then in the slough near its west side, as shown on the chart, to the north end of Hummock Channel, and then southward in the latter to the entrance of Finney Creek, which leads to Wachapreague. The waterway continues southward through Black Rock Reach, then eastward for 3/4 mile, and then southward across Wachapreague Inlet, following the marsh on its west side to avoid the middle ground shown on the chart.

Wachapreague Inlet to Great Machipongo River, distance 15 miles, least depth 5 feet (1.5 m.) at low water and about 9 feet (2.7 m.) at high water. The shoalest place is at the south end of Drawing Channel, and the deepest draft will be carried across

this point by leaving Wachapreague Inlet at high water. The channels are difficult, and local knowledge is required to avoid the shoals. From Wachapreague Inlet the waterway leads southward along Horseshoe Lead and Drawing Channel, then westward and southward through the Swash and Little Sloop Channel to Sandy Island Channel. From here the more direct route, good for a depth of about 212 feet (0.7 m.), leads southwestward along Sloop Channel and southeastward along Cunjer Channel to North Channel; but the deeper and more generally used passage leads southeastward along Sandy Island Channel to Little Machipongo Inlet, then southwestward and westward along North Inlet and North Channel to Great Machipongo River. North Channel and Great Machipongo River are marked by lighted beacons.

Great Machipongo River to the southwest end of Smith Island, distance 30 miles, least depth about 6 feet (1.8 m.).— The shoalest part is through the Ramshorn, which is very narrow and difficult and can be followed only at low water when the flats show above water. All of the channels are more easily followed at low water.

From the intersection of North Channel and Great Machipongo River the waterway leads southward for 311⁄2 miles to the western branch, and then westward through this branch and The Deeps to The Outlet. From here a draft of 22 feet (0.7 m.) can be carried southwestward through The Outlet and into The Thoroughfare, as shown on the chart; but the deeper and more generally used channel leads westward along The Deeps, then northwestward, northward, and southwestward into The Thoroughfare, following the channel lying nearest to the mainland. This part of the waterway is known as The Ramshorn.

From here the waterway leads southward through The Thoroughfare and the channel in Magothy Bay to the southwest end of Smith Island, as shown on the chart. There is a light at the intersection of Sand Shoal Channel and The Thoroughfare, and single pile beacons with daymarks at frequent intervals between there and Smith Island. Boats can leave the waterway through Smith Island Inlet, which has a depth of 2 feet (0.6 m.) at low water and about 6 feet (1.8 m.) at high water, or through Fisherman Inlet, which has a depth of about 4 feet (1.2 m.) at high water. Further information is given on page 100.

REHOBOTH TO CHINCOTEAGUE BAY

Rehoboth is a summer resort with railroad communication, on the beach southward of Cape Henlopen. In summer motor boats run to Ocean View and Bethany Beach. A black standpipe is the most prominent mark.

Rehoboth Bay has a depth of 4 to 7 feet (1.2 to 2.1 m.) and is much frequented by boats of 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 m.) draft running produce from the tributaries of Rehoboth and Indian River Bays to Rehoboth for shipment. There is a landing, to which a depth of 4 feet (1.2 m.) can be carried, at the northeast end, westward of Rehoboth Beach Coast Guard station. There is no tidal effect, but the water level is changed from 12 to 12 feet (0.1 to 0.4 m.) by winds.

Love Creek, at the northwest end of Rehoboth Bay, is navigable for small boats to a milldam near the village of Robinsonville, 32 miles above the mouth. It is crossed by a fixed bridge, under which motor boats without houses can pass.

Herring Creek, at the southwest end of Rehoboth Bay, is navigable with a draft of about 22 feet (0.7 m.) to the fork, about 2 miles above the mouth, and with a less draft for a short distance up either fork. It is little used. Angola is a post village near the head of navigation.

An inlet has been dredged across the beach from Indian River Bay to the ocean and had a depth at the entrance in May, 1929, of 1/2 foot (0.1 m.). It is located about 134 miles south of Indian River Inlet Coast Guard station.

Indian River Bay has general depths of 6 or 7 feet (1.8 or 2.1 m.); except along the eastern end, which is shoal. It is used by boats bound north or south along the waterway and by local boats carrying produce and wood products to Rehoboth or Millsboro. The usual draft of boats is 2 to 4 feet (0.6 to 1.2 m.).

Indian River, at the west end of Indian River Bay, has a depth of 311⁄2 feet (1 m.) in mid-channel to the milldam at Millsboro, the upper 11⁄2 miles being a privately dredged channel. Millsboro is a town on the railroad 511⁄2 miles above the mouth.

Pepper Creek and Vine Creek, on the south side at the western end of Indian River Bay, have a depth of 3 feet (0.9 m.) for about 11⁄2 miles above their junction; they have several farm and mill landings.

White Creek, on the south side of Indian River Bay, has a depth of about 4 feet (1.2 m.) to Ocean View, a village at its head 2 miles above the mouth. It forms a part of the inland waterway.

A canal, dredged to a width of 20 feet and depth of 4 feet (1.2 m.), but shoaled to 2 feet (0.6 m.), connects White Creek with the north end of Little Assawoman Bay.

Bethany Beach is a small summer resort on the beach, 2 miles southeastward of Ocean View and 4 miles northward of Fenwick Island Lighthouse. A privately dredged channel, marked by spoil banks, leads from the canal eastward through the south side of Salt Pond to near the beach. It had a depth of 2 feet (0.6 m.) in 1929 and this depth could be brought to it from Indian River Bay. In summer motor boats run to Ocean View, Millsboro, and Rehoboth.

Little Assawoman Bay has depths of 2 to 4 feet (0.6 to 1.2 m.) and is little used. It is covered with grass in summer, which is an obstruction to navigation for boats not equipped with weedless propellers. Miller Creek and Dirickson Creek, on the west side of the bay, have a depth of 112 feet (0.4 m.) for about 11⁄2 miles above their mouths and are little used. Little Assawoman Bay and Assawoman Bay are connected by a narrow throughfare having a least depth of about 7 feet (2.1 m.); it is crossed by a highway drawbridge; width of draw span, 33 feet. Bayville is a post village 111⁄2 miles northwestward of the bridge.

Assawoman and Isle of Wight Bays have general depths of 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 m.) along their western sides, but only 2 feet (0.6 m.) can be brought to them from north or south. They are

frequented by pleasure boats from Ocean City and by boats engaged in traffic between points on the tributaries.

Roy Creek and Grey Creek have depths of 3 feet (0.9 m.) nearly to their heads, but are little used.

St. Martin River, on the northwest side of Isle of Wight Bay, has a depth of about 3 feet (0.9 m.) to the fork, 31⁄2 miles above the mouth, and 2 feet (0.6 m.) to the post village of Bishopville, at the head of navigation on the north branch (Bishopville Prong) 22 miles above the fork. It is crossed by a drawbridge about 1 mile below Bishopville. The west branch, called Shingle Landing Prong, is said to be navigable for small boats for 11/2 miles.

Sinepuxent Bay has depths of 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m.); it can be entered from northward with a draft of 2 feet (0.6 m.) and from southward with a draft of 22 feet (0.7 m.). It is frequented by fishing and pleasure boats and boats bound north or south along the inland waterway. The ruins of a pile jetty cross the bay 134 miles southward of Ocean City; the eastern opening is the best.

Bridges. A railroad center-pier drawbridge and highway lift bridge cross Sinepuxent Bay at Ocean City; width of openings, 34.5 and 40 feet; height above mean low water, 5 feet (railroad bridge), 6 feet (highway). The following are regulations prescribed for the railroad bridge:

1. Between 6 a. m. and 10 p. m. daily the drawbridge shall be opened within 5 minutes after any boat entitled to opening has signaled, except as provided below. At other times the drawbridge shall be opened as soon as practicable. 2. Signal for opening shall be given by three blasts on a horn or steam whistle and shall be recognized by the bridge tender by the waving of a red flag by day or a red lantern by night.

3. The drawbridge shall be opened for the passage of all boats that can not pass under the bridge. Boats that can pass under the bridge by unstepping masts of 4 inches or less diameter shall not be entitled to have the drawbridge opened, unless the mast is permanently stepped in the boat or permanently attached thereto by stays or guys.

4. Boats unprovided with proper horns for signaling shall notify the bridge tender in any convenient manner, and the draw shall be opened as soon as practicable after the notification is received.

5. The drawbridge shall not be opened or allowed to remain open for passage of boats within 10 minutes of expected arrival of scheduled trains.

Ocean City is a summer resort with railroad communications, 711⁄2 miles southward of Fenwick Island Lighthouse. It is frequented by many small boats in summer, and is the shipping point for a large amount of sea food and produce. A water tank is prominent.

CHINCOTEAGUE BAY AND INLET

Chincoteague Bay, about 20 miles long, has depths of 5 to 7 feet (1.5 to 2.1 m.) along its western side and is shoal along its eastern side. There are depths of 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 m.) at its junction with Sinepuxent Bay. It is frequented by a large number of boats up to 5 feet (1.5 m.) draft, engaged in the oyster, clam, and fishing industry.

Newport Creek, at the north end of Chincoteague Bay, is said to be navigable with a draft of 2 feet (0.6 m.) for about 6 miles to within 12 miles of the town of Berlin.

Franklin City is a village and railroad terminal on the west side of Chincoteague Bay, 31⁄2 miles northward of Killick Shoal Light