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For detailed information concerning port conditions, facilities, regulations, rates, commerce, and communications consult Port Series, No. 7, part 2, prepared by the Corps of Engineers, United States Army, in cooperation with the Bureau of Operations, United States Shipping Board.

POINT DEFIANCE TO OLYMPIA

Southward of Point Defiance the sound is composed of a number of inlets, passages, and islands, rising in commercial importance, outside of the lumbering interests, by reason of numerous settlers and agricultural communities which have been established along the shores in recent years. The local water traffic has declined, due to the extensive network of roads which have been constructed in recent years. At many of the villages the landing wharves have fallen into ruins, all transportation following the highways. A few small freight vessels, however, make regular runs between Olympia or Tacoma and some of the settlements. These waters are also navigated by tugs engaged in towing log rafts to the sawmills and by pleasure craft. Ocean vessels call at Olympia, principally to load lumber and forest products. The depths are generally great and there are but few dangers. The shores are well wooded and moderately low. The beaches are sand and gravel, with boulders in places, and are often backed by steep, bare sand and gravel bluffs. Olympia, the State capital, at the head of Budd Inlet, is the only city, but there are a number of smaller settlements. The chart is a sufficient guide for safe navigation in daytime. Strangers bound through these waters at night are advised to take a pilot.

From Point Defiance the sound extends in a general southerly direction for about 15 miles to the flats at the mouth of the Nisqually River, the first 5 miles being known as the Narrows. These are about 34 mile in width, and at spring tides the currents reach a velocity of 5 to 6 knots.

The Narrows are crossed by a power line, with an overhead clearance of about 200 feet (61 m), at a point about 1/2 mile southwest of Evans Point.

Toliva Shoal lies nearly in mid-channel, 8 miles southward from Point Defiance. It consists of two rocks with 16 feet (4.9 m) over them, and is marked by a red and black horizontally striped lighted bell buoy placed between the rocks. The shoal may be passed on either side, giving the buoy a berth of over 300 yards.

Ketron Island, about 1 mile long, narrow, and about 80 feet (24.4 m) high, lies in the southern part of the channel, 10 miles southward from Point Defiance. The island is wooded, and the shores are bluff except at the northern end. Cormorant Passage, 11⁄2 mile wide, separates the island from the mainland southward. The passage is clear, but is little used.

Nisqually Reach curves around and southward of Anderson Island. The southern shore is formed by the Nisqually River flats which at low water are bare for nearly 1 mile. The edge of the flats is very bold. The reach may be said to extend from Ketron Island to the southern end of Drayton Passage, about 6 miles, the

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narrowest part, 34 mile wide, being at the southern point of Anderson Island. The flats are marked by a flashing white light.

From Nisqually Reach the sound extends northwestward for 3 miles, where it branches into a number of inlets, which are described under separate headings following.

DIRECTIONS, POINT DEFIANCE TO OLYMPIA

From Tacoma to Point Defiance vessels usually give the shore a berth of 1/4 to 1/2 mile, and if meeting the ebb current from the narrows, round Point Defiance close aboard; or if going with the flood stand out and take a mid-channel course. From Robinson Point vessels steer about 232° true (SSW. 1⁄2 W. mag.), giving Point Piner and Neill Point a berth of about 1/4 mile, and then head for Point Defiance. Vessels from northward through Colvos Passage can hold a mid-channel course.

From Point Defiance vessels can hold a midchannel course for 734 miles until up with Toliva Shoal, which may be passed on either side, giving the buoy a berth of over 300 yards. Then steer about 249° true (SW. mag.) from Toliva Shoal buoy and follow the south shore of McNeil Island at a distance of 1/4 mile. Eagle Island may be passed on either side. The passage northward of the island is the broader, and midchannel course through it should be held until well past Eagle Island Reef Buoy and until Drayton Passage is well open. A midchannel course through Drayton Passage clears all dangers. Round Devils Head at a distance of 1/4 mile and steer 305° true (W. by N. mag.), so as to pass 1/4 mile north of Johnson Point Light.

Or, if bound through Nisqually Reach, a general midchannel course should be steered from Toliva Shoal buoy, rounding Lyle Point, the southern end of Anderson Island, at a distance of 1/2 mile, passing half way between the point and Nisqually Flats Light, and then steering a general midchannel course until up with Johnson Point. Round Johnson Point at a distance of 1/4 mile and, passing northward and westward of Itsami Shoal buoy, keep in mid-channel through Dana Passage, giving the southern shore a berth of not less than 1/4 mile until up with the Dofflemyer Point, then follow the directions for Budd Inlet, page 309.

EASTERN SHORE

From Point Defiance the shores consist of high, bold bluffs, until near Day Island Anchorage. A railway, emerging from a tunnel 134 miles southeastward of Point Defiance, follows the beach to the Nisqually River.

Day Island Anchorage is situated 42 miles southward from Point Defiance. Sixth Avenue, locally called "Titlows Wharf", is a small town along the railroad just eastward of Day Island. There are two ferry slips and a wharf built out to 10 feet (3.0 m). Southward of these is a large lumber mill with a wharf in 14 feet (4.3 m) of water. Automobile ferry service is maintained to Cromwell, Fosdick Point, and Fox Island. A small passenger and freight vessel calling here maintains service between Tacoma Carr Inlet and Hale Passage.

Care is necessary in approaching the wharves in this anchorage, as a considerable eddy will be encountered. Fair anchorage for small craft can be had in 7 to 8 fathoms (12.8 to 14.6 m) about 1/4 mile northward of the point of Day Island. The current is strong. Three miles southward from Day Island anchorage the shores consist of bright, bare bluffs, which are prominent from southward. A bunker for loading sand and gravel is located here just southward of some old piling which mark the sites of former bunkers.

Steilacoom is a town of 722 inhabitants (1930 census) 9 miles southward from Point Defiance. The town is of little commercial importance; a limited amount of provisions can be obtained. It has rail and telegraph facilities and a wharf, from which a ferry service is maintained to points on McNeil and Anderson Islands. The State asylum for the insane is situated near here. Indifferent anchorage may be had along the water front close inshore, but it is not recommended, as the holding ground is poor and the currents have considerable velocity. Off Steilacoom are tide rips that, with an adverse wind, are dangerous to small boats.

A wharf of the Du Pont powder works, built out from the mouth of Sequalilchew Creek, 13 miles southward from Point Defiance, has 23 feet (7.0 m) of water. The plant of the powder works is situated a short distance inland and cannot be seen from passing vessels.

Nisqually Flats, bare at low tide, begins just westward of the powder wharf and extend west-south westward for 3 miles, the western portion extending about 5% mile offshore from Nisqually Head. The edge of the flats is steep-to. Another powder loading wharf is located at the western end of the flats.

Johnson Point, 90 feet (27.4 m) high, marks the western end of the main body of Puget Sound. A fixed white light on a small white structure is situated on the sand spit in which the point terminates.

Henderson Inlet, locally known as South Bay, immediately westward of Johnson Point, extends 42 miles southward, its southern half being occupied by shoals and flats. The average width is about 11⁄2 mile, and good anchorage is afforded inside the entrance in 5 to 6 fathoms (9.1 to 11.0 m), muddy bottom. A spit makes out about 1/4 mile northward from the western point at the entrance. On the western shore, 34 mile southward of the entrance point projects a long sand spit. The low shores are timbered, with clearings. On the western shore 2 miles southward from the entrance is a railroad log dump with booming grounds. There are oyster beds in the southern part of the bay.

Itsami Shoal, with 9 feet (2.7 m) over it, lies 1 mile 250° true (SW. mag.) from Johnson Point Light and 1/2 mile northward from the western point at the entrance to Henderson Inlet. It is surrounded by kelp and marked by a red and black horizontally striped buoy placed in 4 fathoms (7.3 m) northward of the kelp and about 200 yards from the rock. This is a danger in entering Henderson Inlet or Dana Passage, and vessels should pass northward of the buoy.

Dana Passage, between Brisco Point, the southern extremity of Harstine Island, marked by a flashing red light, and the mainland, is about 2 miles long and nearly 11⁄2 mile wide in its narrowest part.

It connects at its western end with Budd and Eld Inlets, and northward with Peale and Squaxin Passages leading to Totten and Hammersley Inlets and Pickering Passage. With the exception of Itsami Shoal, near its eastern end, the passage is clear and a midchannel course may be followed with safety.

Budd Inlet (Olympia Harbor) is described under a separate heading following.

Eld Inlet, locally known as Mud Bay, immediately westward of Budd Inlet, resembles the latter in character and is of little commercial importance. It is somewhat narrower than Budd Inlet, and extends about 6 miles in a general southwesterly direction with two slight bends. It affords good anchorage anywhere inside the entrance in 4 to 7 fathoms (7.3 to 12.8) soft bottom.

A midchannel course is clear to the flats at its head. In entering, Point Cooper, the eastern point at the entrance, should be given a berth of not less than 1/4 mile. Logs are towed from here to Olympia, Tacoma, or Seattle. Extensive oyster beds are cultivated near the head of the bay.

Peale Passage, between Harstine and Squaxin Islands, extends in a general northwesterly direction about 4 miles from Dana Passage, connecting at its northern end with Pickering Passage. The depths are comparatively shoal, but with local knowledge a draft of 10 feet (3 m) can be taken through at low water. Strangers should not attempt the passage.

Squaxin Passage, southward of Squaxin and Hope Islands, is about 1 mile in length and extends in a general westerly direction. It leads to the entrance of Totten and Hammersley Inlets. The northern shore is foul, a rock with 19 feet (5.8 m) over it lies 150 yards off the western shore of Hope Island abreast Steamboat Island. The passage is narrow, and although the chart is good, strangers should proceed with caution. The south shore should be favored, and at the western end, the northern point of Steamboat Island should be favored to avoid the rock mentioned above. The tidal currents have considerable velocity. The passage between Hope and Squaxin Islands is foul and should not be attempted. Steamboat Island is connected with Sandy Point on the mainland by a bridge. The island is practically a part of the mainland. The northwestern end of the island terminates in a long sand spit. On the eastern side of Sandy Point is located a recreation beach.

Totten Inlet extends southwestward from the western end of Squaxin Passage. It is about 8 miles long and varies in width from 1/4 to over 134 miles. The depths range from 4 to 14 fathoms (7.3 to 25.6 m), with extensive shoals and flats, some bare at low water. Skookum Inlet is a small, shoal inlet on the western shore with a narrow entrance. The oyster industry in Totten Inlet is quite extensive and the main commercial interest. There is good anchorage anywhere inside from the entrance to the mouth of Skookum Inlet, above which the inlet is shoal; in entering favor the western shore to avoid the spit extending from Steamboat Island.

Hammersley Inlet enters the western shore of the sound 1 mile north of the western end of Squaxin Passage. It is 6 miles in length, expanding at its head into Oakland Bay, which is 31⁄2 miles long in a northeast and southwest direction and from 14 to 11⁄2 mile

wide. The inlet averages 1/4 mile in width and is much obstructed by shoals, particularly at its mouth, where there is an extensive bar. It is navigated by light-draft vessels only, and by tugboats with log rafts, and local knowledge is required. The tidal currents have considerable velocity. Vessels enter on the flood, usually after half tide, and leave on the ebb, usually before maximum strength. Hammersley Inlet is considered dangerous for strangers, and they are advised not to enter without a pilot. Vessels with sharp bottoms should avoid the inlet, as there is danger of turning over in the strong current in case of grounding.

Arcadia is a small settlement located on the south point of the entrance, which is marked by a fixed white post light.

Church Point, on the north side of the inlet 311⁄2 miles from the entrance, is marked by a fixed white post light.

Shelton, at the head of the inlet, is a town of 3,091 people (1930 census), and of some commercial importance. Extensive logging and lumber interests are centered here. It is on a branch of the Northern Pacific Railway, and lumber is shipped by rail only. Railway trestles which are used as log dumps, extend across the flats. There is communication with Olympia by light-draft vessels and by rail and stage. There is complete telephone and telegraph service. Launch fuels and some supplies can be obtained. Oysters are cultivated in the shoal portion of Oakland Bay.

WESTERN SHORE

From Point Defiance to the head of the sound the western shore is broken by a number of inlets and passages which afford communication to many small settlements devoted to lumbering or agriculture. Evans Point, 2 miles south of Point Definance, is marked by a flashing red light on a white skeleton tower 39 feet (11.9 m) above the water.

Hale Passage, between Fox Island and the mainland, enters on the western shore 5 miles southward from Point Defiance. It is 4 miles in length and varies in width from 1 mile at its eastern end to less than 3 mile at its western end, where it connects with Carr Inlet. The tidal currents have considerable velocity.

Sylvan, a post village on the south side of Hale Passage, on the east side of the bight in Fox Island southward of Grave Island, has a landing wharf in 6 feet (1.8 m) of water. A church, schoolhouse, and store are located here, and the village has telephone connection with Tacoma.

There are fruit farms all along the north shore of Hale Passage, also on Fox Island. Warren is a village of about 25 houses on the north shore of the passage abreast the northwest end of Fox Island. It has a landing wharf. Arletta, also on the north side in the bight abreast the western mouth of Hale Passage, has a wharf built out to 6 feet (1.8 m).

Whollochet Bay is a small inlet about 2 miles long and 1/4 mile wide extending northward from Hale Passage about 1 mile inside the eastern entrance. The upper part of the bay is narrow and shoal. It affords an anchorage about 11⁄2 mile inside in mid-channel in 11 to 12 fathoms (20.1 to 21.9 m), sticky bottom. Bergs Landing, with 10 feet (3 m)`at the wharf, is located on the east point at the entrance,

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