Слике страница
PDF
ePub

DIRECTIONS

DIRECTIONS, KEY WEST HARBOR

293

The approaches to Key West Harbor have been examined by means of a wire drag, and the dangers are shown on the chart.

Key West Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy (Fl. W.) is moored in 91 feet (27.7 m) on the Main Ship Channel range, 5 miles, 176° true, from Key West Main Channel Range Front Light. Main entrance buoys nos. 1 and 2 mark the 24-foot (7.3 m) curves at the sides of the channel, about 1/4 mile northward of the entrance buoy.

Key West Main Ship Channel Range marks the axis of the channel up to Eastern Triangle Light. The front light (fixed red) of the range is mounted on a white skeleton structure, solid daymark on the inshore end of the causeway leading to Fort Taylor; the rear light (fixed red) of the range is mounted on a white iron mast near the southeast corner of the Lighthouse Depot Shed, white stripe down roof and side of shed.

Courses and distances, Main Ship Channel

[Abbrevations: F., fixed; Fl., flashing; Occ., occulting; W., white; R., red; dist., distant]

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Northwest Channel.-Northwest Channel has been examined by means of a wire drag, and the dangers are shown on the chart. The following courses lead in a least depth of about 19 feet (5.8 m):

From a position about 0.3 mile east of Smith Shoal Lighthouse (Fl. W.) steer 171° true (S. by E. 1% E. mag.) to a position about 200 yards west of Northwest Channel Entrance Lighted Bell Buoy No. 1 (Fl. W.).

Then be guided by the directions in the following table.

Courses and distances, Northwest Channel

[Abbreviations: F., fixed; Fl., flashing; Occ., occulting; W., white; R., red; Lt., light; dist., distant]

[blocks in formation]

3. Northwest Channel Buoy No. 7, bearing E., dist. 150 yards. Bring Northwest Bar Front Lt. (Fl. R., red triangular house on piles) and Northwest Channel Turn Rear Lt. (Occ. W., black tank house on white, triangular, pyramidal, skeleton structure on piles) on range astern. Pass 75 yards southwest of buoys No. 7A and No. 9 and 100 yards northwest of buoy No. 6, and steering Northwest Channel Turn Easterly Range ahead (front light Fl. W., white lantern box and pointer on 5-pile dolphin; rear light Occ. W., black tank house on white skeleton structure on piles):

Direct
Reverse-

4. Northwest Channel Buoy No. 6, bearing W., dist. 225 yards. Steer Northwest Channel Inner Range ahead (front light Fl. W., white tank house on 5-pile dolphin; rear light Occ. W., black tank house and white square, daymark on white, triangular, pyramidal, skeleton structure on piles). Pass northeast of Channel lighted buoy No. 6A (Fl. R.), southwestward of buoys No. 11, No. 11A, and No. 11B, and northeastward of buoy No. 8:

Direct
Reverse..

298

Various
Various

.4

.4

118

[blocks in formation]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

COURSES AND DISTANCES

Courses and distances, Northwest Channel-Continued

295

[Abbreviations: F., fixed; Fl., flashing; Occ., occulting; W., white; R., red; Lt., light; dist., distant]

[blocks in formation]

Key West, on Key West Island, near the western end of the Florida Keys, is the only city of any size on the west and north shores of the Straits of Florida. It is the terminus of the Florida East Coast Railroad, and has steamship communication with New York, Habana, Tampa, New Orleans, and Galveston. A number of steamers and small sailing vessels enter and clear from this port, over half of which are from or for foreign ports.

The city was once of considerable commercial importance but this has fallen off in late years. It is now rapidly becoming a winterresort city. The commerce consists of canned goods, fish, fruits, crude and refined oils, and general merchandise. The greatest draft

of vessels coming to the port is 261⁄2 feet (8.1 m) and the average draft is 14 feet (4.3 m).

One hotel is open throughout the year and several during the winter season only.

Harbor regulations.-The harbormaster has direct supervision of the port. He has charge of anchoring and mooring all vessels and collects all port dues.

Quarantine.-Vessels subject to inspection by the quarantine officer are boarded off Fort Taylor; and no vessel is permitted to pass above this point before obtaining practique. The quarantine anchorage is in Man-of-War Harbor northward of Fleming Key.

Terminal facilities.-The depth at the piers and wharves ranges from 10 to 26 feet (3.0 to 7.9 m), according to the locality. The five railroad piers are used for general freight and passengers, transferring and storage of oils, and the handling of cars for the ocean ferry to Habana. Three other privately owned facilities are used for general freight and have a berthing space of about 2,000 feet. In addition there are three Government-owned piers with a berthing space of about 2,000 feet. There are facilities for the storage of oils and general cargo and three piers have transfer sheds.

There is a 15-foot (4.6 m) spot about 10 feet off the middle of the outer face of the lighthouse wharf. There is a depth of 132 feet (4.1 m) at the middle of the outer face.

Supplies. There are excellent facilities for securing fuel oil, gasoline, etc. Only a small quantity of coal is available. Key West has no local source of fresh water other than rain water, a considerable quantity of which is available from storage and is supplied to vessels through pipe lines. Well water is also supplied by the railroad; it is soft and good for boiler purposes. The usual charge for water is $10 per 1,000 gallons. Provisions of various kinds and some ship chandlery are available.

Being less than an hour's run off the main route for ships passing about the south end of Florida, Key West is a covenient place of call for fuel and provisions. Arrangements can be made locally for the delivery of supplies and provisions to vessels in the Gulf Stream. Repairs. There is a small marine railway, 160 feet long, with a lifting capacity of about 1,000 tons. Vessels of 8 feet (2.4 m) draft forward and 16 feet (4.9 m) aft can be hauled out. Repairs to the hulls of wooden vessels can be made, and there is a machine shop where ordinary repairs can be made. Boiler and blacksmith work can be done, but there is no foundry.

There are also marine ways for smaller craft capable of handling boats up to 70 feet in length and 6 feet (1.8 m) draft. Ordinary repairs to small craft can be made.

Towboats.-Key West is the regular station for a large salvage tug, and several smaller tugs are also available. General equipment as needed for heavy salvage work is available.

Communications.-The Florida East Coast Railway formerly connected with Miami and points north. There was car ferry service to Habana.

The Overseas Highway connects with Miami with two ferries along the route.

[blocks in formation]

There is telephone and telegraph connection and a radiotelephone and telegraph station (NAR) controlled by the United States Navy, but available for general public service.

There is seasonal air service to Miami.

Aviation fields.-Meacham Airport, commercial, is located 21⁄2 miles east of the city. There is one surfaced runway, 2,000 feet, east and west; one landing strip, 1,600 feet, east and west. There are daytime facilities for servicing aircraft.

The Navy Seaplane Anchorage is west of Key West, inside the breakwater adjacent to the submarine base. There are no servicing facilities, and the ramp at the south end of the submarine basin is for Government use only except in emergency or by permission.

Storm warnings are displayed at the Weather Bureau signal mast at the navy yard. Small craft warnings are displayed on the buildings of the William Curry Sons Company and Lumley-Roberts Hardware Company.

United States Public Health Service.-A United States Marine Hospital is located at Key West. There are also two smaller privately owned hospitals.

« ПретходнаНастави »