the dredge cut which leads through Taylors Creek, close along the mainland, to the wharves at Beaufort.

To enter the cut, pass about 15 yards to the westward of the light and head for the eastern edge of the trees on Lenoxville Point. When abeam of the end of Carrot Island, head for the stack at the fish factory until the channel opens up to westward. Thence the channel holds westward between the mainland and spoil banks and islands. There is a beacon and a light off the waterfront at Beaufort; pass about 40 yards south of the beacon and about 20 yards south of Taylors Creek West Light. The channel abreast the city has been widened and has a controlling depth of 12 feet (3.7 m).

6. CAPE LOOKOUT TO CAPE FEAR, INCLUDING BEAUFORT AND WILMINGTON, N. C.

(Charts 1233, 1234, 1235, 420, 777)

COAST FROM CAPE LOOKOUT TO CAPE FEAR

The coast extends about 8 miles in a northwesterly direction from Cape Lookout and then curves gradually westward and southward to Cape Fear. This coast, nearly 100 miles in length, is similar to that between Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout, but the strips of land forming it are separated from the mainland by much narrower bodies of water, and consequently the thick woods of the mainland can be seen from much farther seaward. That part of the Atlantic Ocean bordering on this curved coast is known as Onslow Bay.

The depths along this stretch of coast are very regular; 4 to 6 fathoms (7.3 to 11.0 m) can be taken to within 12 miles of the beach; the 10-fathom (18.3 m) curve extends nearly parallel to, and at an average distance of about 8 miles from the shore until eastward of Cape Fear, where it bends southward and eastward around Frying Pan Shoals. The 20-fathom (36 m) curve is from 20 to 45 miles offshore.

BEAUFORT HARBOR

(Chart 420)

Beaufort Harbor is the southern entrance to the inland waterway between Beaufort and Norfolk Harbors and is the most important harbor on the coast between Cape Henry and Cape Fear. The most prominent and easily recognized objects are the hotel about 31⁄2 miles west of Morehead City, the standpipe at the eastern end of Morehead City, the marine biological station on Pivers Island, near Beaufort, and the water tank in Beaufort.

Beaufort Entrance is about 71⁄2 miles westnorthwestward of Cape Lookout Lighthouse and is obstructed by a shifting bar which extends 12 miles seaward. A channel 300 feet wide has been dredged across the bar along the bearing 8° true (N. by E. 1% E. mag.) on the tank in Beaufort. In January 1936 the controlling depth in the channel was 2212 feet (6.9 m). Beaufort Harbor Entrance Lighted Buoy marks the entrance. The channel is marked by buoys and lights. Inside the bar there is a depth of 3 to 512 fathoms (5.5 to 10 m) in the channel and secure anchorage for vessels anywhere in

the channel from Fort Macon, a prominent object on the western side of the entrance, to the highway bridge.

Shackleford Point, the western end of Shackleford Banks which lie between Back Sound and the sea, is at the eastern side of the entrance.

Fort Macon Coast Guard Station is just westward of Fort Macon. The cupola of the Coast Guard Station is visible from seaward. Core Creek is a part of the Intracoastal Waterway between Beaufort Harbor and Pamlico Sound.

Newport River is a broad, shallow stream emptying into the head of the harbor. Clubfoot Canal formerly led into this river, but it is now closed by a bar, bare at low water at the south end, and also by a low fixed bridge 1 mile north of the entrance.

Beaufort, population 2,957 in 1930, a town on the eastern side of the harbor, is the terminus of a branch of the Norfolk Southern Railroad and has communication by highway and telephone and telegraph, and highway and power-boat communication with the villages along Core and Pamlico Sounds. Anchorage room near the town is limited, but there are several small wharves to which a draft of 11 feet (3.4 m) can be taken at low water; small boats sometimes anchor in the channel off the wharves, which has a depth of 11 feet (3.4 m). Beacons mark a shoal at the east end of the water front.

Gasoline, Diesel oil, provisions, water, and some ship chandlery can be obtained. A small supply of coal is kept on hand, and larger quantities can be had by giving notice well in advance. There are railways for hauling out vessels of 4 feet (1.2 m) draft and 40-foot length and machine shops for ordinary repairs to motors.

The town of Beaufort is reached from the southward through Bulkhead Channel dredged 100 feet wide and 12 feet (3.7 m) deep. There is a jetty, submerged at high water, on the west side of the channel entrance, marked by Shark Shoal Light No. 1 (red and black slatted pile structure) at the south end.

To enter pass about 100 feet eastward of Shark Shoal Light No. 1 and steer north-northwestward for 1/4 mile (following the jetty) to pass east of Shark Shoal Light No. 2.

Then steer north-northeastward to pass east of Reids Creek Light and west of the red nun buoy off the west end of Town Marsh Island. When up to the buoy, pass about 50 yards to northward, and steer 82° true (E. 3 N. mag.), and then follow the south and east sides of the marshy island north of Town Marsh at a distance of about 75 yards until off the western end of the wharves; then haul southeastward along the wharves.

A dredged channel 60 feet wide and 10 feet (3.0 m) deep leads northward from Beaufort through Gallant Channel to the main channel of the Intracoastal Waterway between Beaufort Harbor and Pamlico Sound.

The channel is crossed at Beaufort by two drawbridges (opening 60 feet wide), from which it trends northward for 3 mile to Gallant Channel Light No. 9 off the fish-factory wharf, then 315° true (NW. 12 N. mag.) for 5% mile toward Newport Marshes Light No. 22 to Gallant Channel Light No. 2, then 37° true (NE. 3% N. mag.) for nearly 5% mile to Gallant Channel Light No. 8, and then 348° true (N. 34 W. mag.) for % mile to Core Creek Light No. 19, on

the east side of the main channel of the Intracoastal Waterway. The channel is not difficult at low water, the sides of the cut then showing by a difference in the color of the water.

A channel, improved by dredging to 7 feet (2.1 m), leads from off the wharves at Beaufort eastward through Taylors Creek, The Straits, Core Sound, and Wainwright Slue to Pamlico Sound. It is well marked by lights.

Morehead City, population 3,483 in 1930, a town on the western side of the harbor, has communication by railroad, telegraph, and telephone, and is a shipping point for oysters, fish, and clams. Coal, gasoline, Diesel oil, ice, fresh water, and provisions are obtainable. A marine railway at Morehead City is capable of hauling out vessels of 25 tons and 50-foot length. There is a Coast Guard base at Morehead City.

In January 1934 a channel 12 feet (3.7 m) deep existed from the outer harbor to Tenth Street, and a channel 6 feet (1.8 m) deep connected the western end of the harbor with Bogue Sound. There is a strong current in the channel off the wharves which must be considered in handling the larger types of vessels.

Directions. From a position 100 yards north of Channel Buoy No. 1 (black can) head directly for the standpipe at Morehead City, passing about 50 yards off Morehead City Channel Light, until abeam of the first marshy island about 225 yards northwest of this light, then change course about 20° to the left and run parallel to the wharves.

Atlantic Beach on the ocean side of Bogue Banks, directly opposite Morehead City, is a popular beach resort. It is connected with Morehead City by means of a bridge.

Anchorage can be had in the channel of Beaufort Harbor from Fort Macon to the railroad bridge, and vessels of 8-foot (2.4 m) or less draft can anchor, convenient to Morehead City, in the channel of Bogue Sound westward of buoy no. 3.

Pilots will come out to a vessel if the sea will permit them to cross the bar. They can also be obtained at Beaufort to take vessels along the coast and into the inlets between Beaufort and Winyah Bay or along the Intracoastal Waterway.

The following are extracts from chapter 104, Revised Laws of North Carolina, 1905, governing pilotage and harbor regulations in the State of North Carolina.

4969. Rates of pilotage for Old Topsail Inlet and Beaufort Harbor.-The pilotage for Old Topsail Inlet and Beaufort Harbor shall be as follows: For vessels drawing eight feet and under, two dollars per foot; ten feet and over eight, two dollars and fifty cents per foot; twelve feet and over ten, three dollars and fifty cents per foot; all over twelve feet, four dollars per foot. The above fees to be collectible in Beaufort Harbor from Middle marsh to Lewis thoroughfare. For every vessel piloted without these bounds an additional charge of fifty cents per foot may be charged. The commissioners shall have the same printed or written on every license or branch issued by them, and every pilot shall exhibit his license to the master of every vessel he has in charge, when demanded by said master. No vessel entering Old Topsail Inlet without a pilot shall be required to take one on going to sea; nor shall any vessel be required to take a pilot that has to enter the harbor in distress. (As amended 1909.)

4970. Vessel under sixty tons not liable for pilotage.-No pilot, acting under the authority of the commissioners of navigation for Old Topsail Inlet, shall be entitled to pilotage for any vessel under sixty tons burden, unless such

DIRECTIONS

121 vessel shall have given a signal for a pilot, or otherwise shall have required the assistance of a pilot.

4972. Rates of pilotage for Bogue Inlet.—The branch pilots for Bogue Inlet shall be entitled to receive of the commander of such vessel as they may have charge of, the following pilotage, namely: For bringing any vessel into the said inlet, drawing less than seven feet from the outside of the bar to the anchorage before the town, or the customary place in Hill's channel, one dollar per foot; for a vessel drawing more than seven feet, one dollar and fifty cents per foot; and the same fees for pilotage outward as inward.

4978. Pilots refused, entitled to pay.-If a branch pilot shall go off to any vessel bound in, and offer to pilot her over the bar, the master or commander of such vessel, if he refuses to take such pilot, shall pay to such pilot, if not previously furnished with one, the same sum as is allowed by law for conducting such vessel in, to be recovered before a justice of the peace, if the sum be within his jurisdiction: Provided, That the first pilot, and no other, who shall speak such vessel so bound in shall be entitled to the pay provided for in this section.

4980. Rates of pilotage annexed to commission.-The commissioners of navigation for the several ports of this State shall annex to the branch or commission, by them given to each pilot, a copy of the fees to which such pilot is entitled.

Supplies.-Coal, gasoline, Diesel oil, ice, fresh water, provisions and some ship chandlery can be obtained at Morehead City or Beaufort. Repairs can be made to small craft, which can be hauled out at both places.

Hospital. The nearest marine hospital is at Norfolk, Va. There are relief stations of the United States Public Health Service at Beaufort and Morehead City.

Storm warnings are displayed at Beaufort and Morehead City. There is a Coast Guard station near Fort Macon, and a Coast Guard base at Morehead City.

Tides. The mean range of tides at Beaufort is 2.7 feet (0.8 m). Currents-The tidal currents in the entrance run with considerable velocity, especially during spring tides. They generally follow the direction of the channel, but on the last quarter of the flood and first of the ebb they are apt to set across the shoals in the entrance.

DIRECTIONS, SEA BUOY TO BEAUFORT HARBOR AND MOREHEAD CITY

DIRECTIONS, SEA BUOY TO BEAUFORT HARBOR AND MOREHEAD CITY—Continued. Courses and distances-Continued [Abbreviations: Lt. light; dist., distant]-Continued

BEAUFORT ENTRANCE TO CAPE FEAR RIVER

(Charts 1234, 1235, 777, 420, 422, 3253, 3254)

Westward of Beaufort Harbor the Intracoastal Waterway affords a protected and inside passage to Cape Fear River. This waterway, 93.5 miles long, passes through Bogue Sound to Bogue Inlet, and then through dredged cuts following the general line of the coast to Cape Fear River, which it enters about 16 miles below Wilmington. The controlling depth, January 1936, was 12 feet (3.7 m) from Beaufort Harbor to Cape Fear River. This route is fully described in the Inside Route Pilot, New York Harbor to Key West.

There are several inlets between Beaufort Entrance and Cape Fear River through which 6 or 7 feet (1.8 or 2.1 m) can be carried to sheltered anchorage, but these are all obstructed by shifting bars, on which the sea breaks when at all rough.

An onshore wind, even if light, will cause a heavy break on_the bars, while an offshore wind may be heavy without making the bars dangerous. Strangers in small craft should not leave a sheltered anchorage bound southward with the wind anywhere between southeast and southwest and should make an anchorage as soon as possible after the wind begins to blow from these directions. In entering or leaving the inlets the appearance of the water is the best guide, as breakers always form on the shoal areas; but strangers should not attempt to enter an inlet when breakers form entirely across it.