light, or when it changes from a red to a white light, or bears W. S., it marks a line passing about one hundred and fifty yards clear of the point of the Cape, and vessels should approach no nearer the Cape than this line.

When in range with Cape Henlopen Light, this light marks the line of shoals making down from the Shears shoal.

A change in this light from white to red (when it bears E. S. E. † E.) marks the inside limit of the outer harbor. This light showing red and Cape Henlopen Light showing white guides clear of the western end of the Breakwater and into the Breakwater harbor.

Delaware Breakwater Front Light.-This light, fixed white during periods of 24 seconds, separated by eclipses of 24 seconds' duration, thus:

in range with Cape Henlopen Light marks a line inside the shoals, making down from the Shears shoal.

Cape Henlopen Day Beacon.-A day beacon pyramidal in shape, 20 feet square at base and 10 feet at top, 49 feet high. Two-thirds of a mile from Cape Henlopen Lighthouse, on the line heretofore marked by the Cape Henlopen Beacon and Main Lights, about 1500 feet from the point of the cape. The lattice-work, which is on the side looking up Delaware Bay only, is painted white with a black cross; the rest of the structure is painted white.

Delaware Breakwater (West End) Light.-An iron post 30 feet above mean high water, a fixed red light illuminating the entire horizon on the extreme west. erly end of Delaware Breakwater, inside of Cape Henlopen, west side of the entrance to Delaware Bay.

Delaware Breakwater Rear Light.-A fixed white light about 2 miles northwest of Lewes, Delaware. This light with the Delaware Breakwater front (fixed white separated by eclipses), light forms a range for entering Delaware Bay. The range-line runs E. N. and W. S., and vessels entering must not pass to the north of range-line until Cape May lighthouse bears NNE. or Brandywine light shows white. This light (Delaware Breakwater Rear), is visible along the Delaware shore from the northward between the bearings SE. S. and S. by E. § E. and from the southward to a line bearing WSW. § W., between WSW. § W. and S. by E. E. (the angle covering "The Shears" and the National Harbor of Refuge) the light is not visible. Vessels coming down the bay on the eastern edge of the red sector of Cape Henlopen light, and bound for the Breakwater, will be clear of the lower end of The Shears and the southerly end of the breakwater of the National Harbor of Refuge (now under construction), when the rear light of the Breakwater range becomes visible on the bearings WSW. W. These bearings are from seaward. The eastern and western sides of the channel in Delaware Bay are marked as follows:

Brandywine Shoal Light.-On the eastern side of channel. This light shows fixed during periods of 27 seconds, separated by eclipses of 3 seconds' duration, thus:

Fixed
light

27 sec.

white from N. by W. & W., through Westward to SSE. E. (from seaward) and red throughout the remaining sector visible 12 miles. Fog signal: Bell struck by machinery, a double blow every 30 seconds. Red, screw-pile structure and screwpile ice-breaker.

Fourteen Foot Bank Light.-On the western side of channel. This light shows fixed during alternate periods of 14 seconds and 40 seconds, separated by eclipses of 3 seconds' duration, thus:

Fixed
light

white between the hearings NNW. through Eastward to SSE. E. (from seaward) and red throughout the remaining sector, covering Brown Shoal to the southward and Joe Flogger Shoal to the north ward. The structure consists of cylindrical foundation expanding in trumpet shape under main gallery and surmounted by a twostory dwelling with gable roof, tower, surmounted by lantern, rises from east side of dwelling. The entire structure painted brown. Fog signal: Daboll trumpet; blasts 5 seconds, intervals 25 seconds.

Cross Ledge Light.-On the eastern side of channel. This light shows fixed during periods of 17 seconds, separated by eclipses of 3 seconds' duration, thus:

white from NNW. through Westward to SE. by S. (from seaward), and red throughout the remaining sector. Fog signal: Bell struck by machinery every 10 seconds. Black lantern on white dwelling with lead-colored trimmings, green shutters and mansard roof, on granite pier.

Ship John Shoal Light.-On the eastern side of channel. This light shows fixed during periods of 10 seconds, separated by eclipses of 5 seconds' duration, thus:

white, from NNW. W., through Westward to SE. S. (from seaward) and red throughout the remaining sector. Fog signal: Bell struck by machinery, a treble blow every 45 seconds. Black lantern surmounting brown octagonal dwelling, one story, with high mansard roof on brown cylindrical foundation.

Sailing Directions.-Vessels bound up Delaware Bay are clear of danger on the east side of channel so long as Brandywine Light shows white until within one mile of this light, but should approach no nearer Brandywine Shoal. When clear of Brown Shoal vessels should run for Fourteen Foot Bank Light, keeping it white until about & mile to the eastward, and abreast of it; after passing keep the light showing white, but occasionally sheering over to the westward to touch the red ray, so as to assure not being too far to the eastward, then run towards Cross Ledge Light, keeping both Brandywine and Cross Ledge Light white until abreast of Cross Ledge; when Cross Ledge Light is passed and the red sector in Mahon River light (the north edge of which marks the Cross Ledge buoy No. 14 red and the south edge marks about 750 feet above the Elbow of the Ledge Buoy, an ice buoy during the winter and gas buoy showing a white light during remainder of the year, red No. 14), is run through the white light appearing, vessels can sheer over to the eastward touching the red ray in either Ship John Shoal or Cross Ledge Lights, thence keep Ship John Shoal, a white light, until within three miles of this light, at which point both Ship John Shoal and Cross Ledge Lights should show white, thence pass Ship John Shoal, keeping the Cross Ledge Light white, thence run for the Port Penn ranges, keeping Ship John Shoal white.

In coming down the Bay, keep the Port Penn ranges on the Ship John Shoal white until within three miles of this light, then keep Cross Ledge white until three miles below Ship John Shoal, at which point both Ship John Shoal and Cross Ledge should show white; then keep Ship John Shoal white until abreast of Cross. Ledge; then steer for the Fourteen Foot Bank Light, keeping it white, passing it about mile to the eastward. keeping Brandywine Shoal and Cross Ledge Lights, both white until one mile below Brandywine; then run in the white light of Cape Henlopen and Brandywine.

Vessels bound into the outer harbor of Delaware Breakwater are clear of the Shears Shoal, and the southerly end of the breakwater of the National Harbor of Refuge (now under construction), so long as Delaware Breakwater rear light is in view. In daylight Cape Henlopen Day Beacon, about 1,500 feet from the point of the Cape, on with the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse marks the edge of the Shears Shoals, and in passing up the bay vessels should pass to the eastward of this line until above the shoal. Vessels bound to

the northward and eastward through the channel between the shoals off Cape May and McCries shoal, now generally used by coasting vessels, know when bound down the bay, when Delaware Breakwater rear light comes in range with Delaware Breakwater front light, that they are clear of South Shoal, and can change their course through the channel. Vessels bound into Delaware Bay, by keeping these lights in range are clear of shoals off Cape May, and when Brandywine light shows white they can change their course up the Bay.

The rule for the navigator to remember is that a change of a light which is indicated to mark part of a channel, from white to red, warns him that he is getting too near the shoals on the eastern or western side of the channel.

The channel lights of Delaware Bay, with the exception of Fourteen Foot Bank, are all on the eastern side of the channel. The Fourteen Foot Bank Light must be passed to the eastward.

The system of ranges beginning with the Port Penn Range taken up after passing Ship John Shoal Light, is continuous and almost unbroken, and leading through good water to a point opposite the Philadelphia wharves. Including the range marking the entrance to the Schuylkill River, the system consists of 12 separate ranges formed by 25 distinct lights, in a distance of about 50 miles. The improvement of the channels of the Delaware River has always been made in conjunction with the establishment of the ranges, and this improvement is constantly going on. The artificial channels are being gradually deepened and widened, and consequently the facilities for heavy draught vessels are continually increasing. Light draught vessels should always give way to vessels of deep draught when the latter are upon any of the ranges. It is unlawful for any vessel to anchor upon the line of any range, or so that she swing upon the range, and the master of the lighthouse tender has special orders to report any infraction of the law in this respect.

Vessels approaching from the southward should exercise care in keeping clear of the Hen and Chickens Shoal. When the Delaware Breakwater Light (east end) is on with the breakwater front light, vessels will be to the north and clear of this shoal. In approaching from the southward, when abreast of the southern end of this shoal, and when about three miles out from the beach, and in 11 fathoms of water, a safe course to steer will be N. by W. until to the northward of the shoal, when Delaware Breakwater Range can be brought on to guide safely in the Bay. In thick weather, a vessel knowing her approximate position should not get less than ten fathoms of water until clear of the Hen and Chickens Shoal. The navigator will have the fog signal (Daboll trumpet) on east end of Delaware Breakwater and the bell buoy on the point of Henlopen Shoal on one hand, and the Overfalls Light Vessel with steani fog signal about 34 miles to the southward and westward of Overfalls or south shoal on the other, to aid him in finding his way in.

Five Fathom Bank.-This bank is nine and one-quarter miles in length, ranging in breadth from three-quarters to two miles, with a depth of from five fathoms to 14 feet. The bank at each end is marked by a light vessel with a first-class steam fog signal. The vessels bear from each other NNE. E. and SSW. § W. and are about 114 miles apart. One vessel is moored in about 14 fathoms of water, off the northeast end of Five Fathom Bank; she is schooner rigged, painted red, with the words "Northeast end" on each side, and "No. 44" on her stern. A fixed red light is exhibited from the foremast head, and a fixed white light at half mast on the main. They should be visible in clear weather for 11 miles. At the foremast head there is a black, hoop-iron cage day mark, surmounted by a black ball. The fog signal, 12-inch steam whistle, blasts 4 seconds with alternate intervals of 5 and 107 seconds. Should whistle be disabled a bell will be rung by hand. The shoalest part of the bank is about one mile long and one-half mile wide, and is marked on the NE, end by a Red and Black Nun Buoy, in 18 feet of water; SSW. three miles from this buoy, and NW. N. four and one-eighth miles from the Five Fathom Bank Lightship is a Red Nun Buoy No. 2, marking a 21-foot shoal, which is about 200 yards long and 25 yards wide, and over which at times the sea breaks heavily. A lightship, schooner rigged, painted straw color, with the name "Five Fathom Bank" in large letters on each side and "No. 40" on the stern, is moored about six and three-eighths miles to the southward and eastward of the shoalest part of the Five Fathom Bank Shoal, in fifteen fathoms water, showing two fixed white reflector lights, visible 11 miles. For day marks

has a Hoop Iron Cage at each masthead. In foggy weather a steam whistle is used, giving blasts of 4 seconds, intervals 56 seconds. Should whistle be disabled a bell will be rung by hand. The course from Five Fathom Bank Lightship to the entrance to the Delaware Bay is W. N. 20 miles (making allowance for the tide, which on the flood sets about NW. and the ebb S. and on the latter part SE. from one to two knots as the cape is neared). This course will carry into 13 fathoms, mud bottom.

McCries Shoals.-Sand and shells. One mile long and five-eighths wide. Extends ENE. and WSW. Least water, 17 feet. Marked by a Red Buoy, nunshaped body surmounted by a whistle No. 2, in 30 feet water near the SE. end. During winter an iron spar buoy is placed near the whistling buoy to mark the station, in case the whistling buoy is carried away or damaged by ice. Is seven miles SE. from Cape May Lighthouse. One and three-quarter miles W. N. from McCries Shoals is a three-fathom lump, not buoyed. S. by W. from Cape May Lighthouse, distant six miles, is a can buoy, red and black stripes, in three fathoms water, marking the east end of 15-foot shoal.

A

A range for entering Delaware Bay is formed by Delaware Breakwater front light and Delaware Breakwater rear, a fixed white light shown from a brown iron tower, about two miles NW. from the town of Lewes, Del. This range runs E. N. and W. S., and carries a vessel in, clear of McCries and South Shoals. vessel entering the Capes will be guided clear of all danger by the Delaware Breakwater Range, and being on that range when Cape May Light bears NNE. E., or when Brandywine Light shows a white light, she is clear of the shoals and can shape her course N. by W. W. toward Brandywine Shoal Light.

Overfalls or South Shoal.-Seven and seven-eighths miles W. S. from the Buoy on McCries Shoal is an iron ice buoy in eight fathoms of water marking the southern extremity of these shoals and northern edge of the channel in Delaware Bay. Cape May Light bears NNE. E. 7 miles; between this and McCries Shoal buoys and Cape May, the bottom is broken into a number of large and small shoals, on which the least water is 12 feet, until within two and onehalf miles from Cape May Lighthouse, where there are numerous spots with but four and five feet of water on them.

The Hens and Chickens.-Extends from the point of Cape Henlopen three miles in a SSE. direction, with a channel for small vessels between it and the beach. Bottom of shoal generally fine gray sand; least water five feet. A black can buoy in four fathoms water. Cape Henlopen Lighthouse bearing NW. by N. marks the south end of the shoal, and nearly up to the nothern end is a spar buoy with white and black stripes in three fathoms water, marking the entrance to inner channel, Cape Henlopen Lighthouse bearing SW. by W & W.

In

Shoal off Point Cape Henlopen.-A dangerous shoal off Cape Henlopen, buoyed as follows: A bell buoy, painted black, moored in 4 fathoms of water at the elbow of the shoal. Magnetic bearings as follows: Cape Henlopen Lighthouse, S. by W. W.; Delaware Breakwater (east end) Lighthouse, WNW. W. Also an iron ice buoy, painted black, placed in four fathoms water, Cape Henlopen Light bearing S. E. Delaware Breakwater Front Light, W. by N., and Delaware Breakwater Rear Light, W. † S. Vessels should pass outside, that is to the northward and eastward of these buoys. Great caution should be observed in approaching this shoal, as the soundings change very suddenly from 8 to 3 fathoms. coming from the southward when the Delaware Breakwater Light east end changes from red to white, or with this light in range with Delaware Break water Rear fixed white light, marks a course clear of all dangers close to the Cape. In running in for the Cape from the southward do not get within 11 fathoms, or say 3 miles of the beach, as the soundings are irregular. Steer up N. by W. W. making allowance for the tides which, this close in, generally set along the coast, except in the latter part of the ebb, when it sets SW., giving a good berth to the black can buoy, marking the south end of the Hen and Chickens Shoal, which is one and one-quarter miles from the beach. The point of the Cape should be given a good berth. The course N. by W. W. with tide allowance, will carry up to Brandywine. If intended to anchor inside Cape Henlopen after passing the point of the Cape, haul in WNW., going to the northward of spar buoy, with red and black stripes, in 3 fathoms water on Marshall's Shoal, and about mile from the

Breakwater. You may now choose a berth behind the breakwater or stand on, haul around it, and anchor within half a mile of it. Three and a half to five fathoms water, muddy bottom.

National Quarantine Anchorage.

The anchorage limit is unmarked by buoys.

NOTE.-The Breakwater of the National Harbor of Refuge near the Delaware entrance is now under con

struction.

Main Ship Channel.-After passing Overfalls Light Vessel the course is N. by W. W., passing midway between the point of Cape Henlopen and the iron ice buoy at South Shoal. On entering the bay on this course, channel soundings are 12 to 16 fathoms, coarse sand, mud and shells. When bound up the bay do not get to the westward of the range of the Day Beacon on with Cape Henlopen Lighthouse if daylight; if at night keep Cape Henlopen Light showing white (when it changes to red indicates that you are running too far to the westward) so as to avoid the Shears, a shoal on which the least water on the eastern side is 10 feet.

The Shears.—A shoal on the west side of entrance to Delaware Bay is to be guarded against, especially during the half and third quarter of flood tide, which sets on and across them from one to one and three-quarters knots. The main shoal is one mile wide at its lower end, from near the end of which are shoals extending in a southeast direction, with 3 to 4 fathoms of water between them. The southeast extension or horn is three-quarters of a mile long, least water 10 feet. The other horn or leg from the southwest corner extends about one mile, depth of water at extreme end, 18 feet. A red and black striped buoy marks the 14-foot spot on this point. If bound up the Bay, on leaving the anchorage give a good berth to the southeast horn of the Shears, keeping to the eastward of it, and steer up about N. W. (allowing for tide) for Brandywine Shoals Light. (This light shows fixed during periods of 27 seconds, separated by eclipses of 3 seconds' duration), white from N. by W. & W., through W. to SSE.E. (from seaward) and red throughout the remaining sector, visible 12 miles, leaving bell buoy (replaced during winter by an iron ice buoy) on Brown Shoal to port.

Brown Shoal.-An automatic bell buoy, (replaced during winter by an iron ice buoy) in four fathoms water marks the southern end of Brown shoal, on which the least water is 8 feet, and 3 miles further up is the Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse.

Brandywine Shoal.-Extends 3 miles in a NNW. and SSE. direction. South end marked by a red nun buoy (replaced during winter by an iron ice buoy) in 4 fathoms of water, of a mile from the Lighthouse. For the distance of 1 miles above the Lighthouse there are dry spots at extreme low water. The elbow or midway of shoal is marked by a red spar buoy (replaced during the winter by an iron ice buoy). The northern end of shoal is marked by a red nun buoy (replaced during winter by an iron ice buoy) in 21 feet water. When nearing the Brown, water shoals gradually to 6 and then deepens