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ance of 110 feet and a vertical clearance of 4.7 feet (1.4 m) above high water when closed. See page 56 for bridge regulations.

Only small boats can pass around the north end of Davis Island which is connected with Tampa by a fixed bridge having a horizontal clearance of 34 feet and vertical clearance of 10 feet (3.0 m) above high water.

Hillsboro River flows nearly through the center of the city of Tampa to the head of Hillsboro Bay. There is a turning basin at the mouth of the river and a dredged channel 200 feet by 10 feet (3.0 m) above this turning basin to the second (Lafayette Street) bridge. A draft of about 7 to 8 feet (2.1 to 2.4 m) can be taken to the shipyard above the fourth bridge and about 6 feet (1.8 m) as far as Sulphur Springs, 8 miles above the mouth of the river. There are 10 bridges crossing the river through Tampa. The upper bridge, at Florida Avenue, 62 miles above the river mouth, is the only fixed bridge. It has a horizontal clearance of 38 feet and a vertical clearance of 12 feet (3.6 m) above high water. The other bridges have draws with a minimum horizontal clearance of 50 feet and a minimum vertical clearance of 5 feet (1.5 m.) above high water, when closed. See page 56 for bridge regulations.

The river channel is generally staked for a short distance above the mouth of the river. Above Tampa, the stream is narrow and relatively deep except for several shoals with the controlling depth of about 6 feet (1.8 m). At Sulphur Springs there is a dam across the river.

Near Dulaney Creek, on the east shore of Hillsboro Bay, opposite the south end of Davis Island, there are uncompleted terminal facilities with a privately dredged channel connecting with the ship channel. The depth in this channel had shoaled to about 21 feet (6.4 m) in 1935.

Alafia River.-A large phosphate plant has been constructed at East Tampa just north of the mouth of the Alafia River. A 23-foot (7.0 m) channel has been dredged from the plant to the ship channel; it is well marked by pile beacons and is subject to shoaling. The southern entrance to the river has been closed, the new channel being now used to enter the river. Shallow draft vessels enter the new channel at Alafia River Light. About 6 feet (1.8 m) can be carried several miles up the river on high water.

Tampa (population 101,161 by 1930 census) is an important manufacturing and shipping port. Depths of 12 to 27 feet (3.7 to 8.2 m) can be taken alongside the numerous wharves, the majority of which are on Garrison and Ybor Channels along the south and east sides, respectively, of the business sections of the city. There is regular steamer service to most of the Atlantic and Gulf coast ports; also to West Indian, Pacific coast, and many foreign ports. The control of the harbor is vested in the city and there is a harbor master.

The following harbor facilities include both Tampa on Hillsboro Bay and Port Tampa on Old Tampa Bay.

Terminal facilities.-In Tampa, there are 10 general cargo terminals, with a total berthing space of about 5,000 feet. There is a large phosphate elevator on Seddon Channel, a lumber handling plant on the south side of Garrison Channel and a cement plant on Sparkman Channel with a total cambined additional berthing space of 4,300 feet. The Tampa Union Terminal on Ybor Channel provides

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storage in a concrete warehouse for both perishable and nonperishable commodities and has mechanical equipment for handling cargo. There are numerous other wharves for handling oil, lumber, coal, sand and gravel, asphalt, etc.

All the principal wharves have rail and highway connections.

At Port Tampa there are two piers, each 1,800 feet long, with a 200foot slip between them and affording a total berthing space of about 6,500 feet. The passenger-ship terminal is at the end of the south pier. There are three electrically operated phosphate elevators on the north pier and several oil plants on the south pier.

Anchorage. There is no anchorage within 3 to 4 miles of Tampa but there are ample docking facilities almost in the heart of the city.

Outside the bar at Tampa Bay entrance, vessels with good ground tackle can anchor anywhere offshore in 6 to 8 fathoms (11 to 15 m) and ride out any gale except a hurricane. Inside the entrance, the usual anchorages are as follows: Southward of the old quarantine stations on Mullet Key in 5-6 fathoms (9-11 m); about 3 miles south of Port Tampa in natural depths of 30 to 32 feet (9.1 to 9.8 m); below and above the docks at Port Tampa in 20 to 26 feet (6.1 to 7.9 m); about the north end of Cut F, to the southeastward of Gadsden Point, in natural depths of 31 to 36 feet (9.4 to 11.0 m) except for one 29-foot (8.8 m) spot off the south side of the ship channel; and, for shoaler draft vessels, to the westward of the main channel in the central portion of Hillsboro Bay.

Pilotage is compulsory for vessels in foreign trade, for barges and schooners, and for other vessels except when the master or mates are licensed as pilots by the Federal Government. Pilotage is optional for vessels drawing 6 feet of water or less, if such vessels have a coastwise license. Vessels carrying United States mails pay half-pilotage only. Pilots can always be had by making signals outside the bar or by radio or telegram. The pilots have a lookout station on Egmont Key and use fast motorboats with a large P painted on the sides; they board vessels about two miles outside Egmont Channel Lighted Bell Buoy 2, located just north of Palatine Shoal. Vessels are taken in at night except these drawing in excess of 22 feet. The pilots always use 75th meridian time. Charges for pilotage, per foot of draft, are as follows:

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Shifting between different terminal points on Tampa Bay---- 25. 00 Towboats up to 100 feet in length can be had at Tampa.

The harbormaster functions under the statutes of the State of Florida, see page - The decision of the harbormaster is final in all disputes involving shipmasters, dock owners, etc.

Dockage, Wharfage, Harbor Dues.-Dockage charges are included in wharfage. Wharfage charges are not assessed except at railroad terminals. There are some small harbor dues.

Quarantine. The health officers meet incoming vessels in their own launch, Vessels bound for Tampa are boarded off Gadsden Point

at the south end of Cut A, while those bound for Port Tampa are boarded at the north end of Cut F. The quarantine station at Mullet Key has been discontinued.

Customs and Immigration.-The offices of both the customs and immigration services are located in the Federal Building on Florida Avenue between Zack and Twiggs Streets.

Repairs. In 1935, a new 10,000-ton floating drydock was nearing completion. It will be capable of hauling vessels up to 400 feet long and 25 feet draft (7.6 m). The largest marine railway can haul out vessels of 3,500 tons, 260 feet in length and 18 feet (5.5 m) draft. There are complete facilities for repairs to the hull and machinery of vessels, including machine shops, boiler shops, foundry, forge and pattern shop, etc.

Wrecking and salvaging equipment is available, including tugs, barges, derricks, pumps, diving outfits, etc.

Supplies. There are several oil bunkering plants at both Tampa and Port Tampa, with capacities of 1,000 to 3,000 barrels per hour. There is one coal bunkering plant in Tampa and another at Port Tampa; the combined storage capacity of these plants is about 25,000 tons. Fresh water and provisions can be secured at both Tampa and Port Tampa, and ship chandlers' stores can be had at Tampa. The water at Tampa is especially adapted for drinking purposes and for boiler use; both purified river water and spring water are available.

Storm warnings are displayed on the First National Bank building in Tampa and at the south end of Seddon Channel; at Port Tampa they are displayed at the end of the piers. Night signals are displayed at Seddon Channel and at Port Tampa. Storm warnings are also displayed at Egmont Key.

Hospital. There is a relief station of the United States Public Health Service at Tampa, and the nearest marine hospital is at Key West. There are a number of public and private hospitals, principally Cooks and Municipal, with ample facilities.

Radio.-A privately owned radio station (transmitting and receiving), adjoining the Municipal Terminals on Ybor Channel, is used locally for communicating with ships. There is 12-hour service, with remote control to home of the operator during the remainder of the day. The call is WPD.

Air Lines.-A municipal airport is located 42 miles northwest of the city and a seaplane base on Ballast Point. There is air service to Jacksonville and Habana.

Small Craft facilities.-The municipal boat landing is a long wharf along the west side of the Hillsboro River just above the second (Lafayette St.) bridge. Marjorie Park Yacht basin is along Seddon Channel, on the east side of Davis Island. There are several boat yards along the Hillsboro River; the largest can haul and repair boats up to 100 feet long and 6 feet (1.8 m) draft.

A meteorological table for Tampa is given in the Appendix.

The port series, volume No. 8 (part 2), gives further detailed information regarding the port of Tampa.

Tides. The mean rise and fall of tides at Egmont Key is 1.4 feet and in Hillsboro Bay 2.2 feet. Strong winds may obliterate all traces of normal tidal action. A strong offshore wind sometimes

(11) TAMPA BAY, DIRECTIONS

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lowers the water surface at Tampa and in the dredged channels as much as 4 feet, and a continued southwest wind raises it by nearly the same amount.

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Currents. The tidal currents in the North Channel entrance usually have considerable velocity, and vessels should take care not to be set off the course. On the flood the current sets northeastward across the bar; on the ebb it sets straight out. Inside the bar a current of 111⁄2 knots is often encountered.

DIRECTIONS, TAMPA BAY

In approaching Tampa Bay, it is well to keep in at least 6 fathoms and over 51⁄2 miles offshore until Tampa Bay Lighted Whistle Buoy is sighted and then head for it. From the buoy, the following courses and distances lead in the improved channels to Tampa and Port Tampa. The dimensions of these channels have been given in preceding descriptions.

In order to distinguish the dredged cuts, the numbers on the buoys marking them are followed by a letter which distinguishes the cut. Courses and Directions for approaching Tampa Bay Lighted Whistle Buoys are given on page 60, and also under Coastwise Courses (Position No. 6). The following Courses and Distances are from the entrance buoy:

The Inland Rules apply inside Tampa Bay Lighted Whistle Buoy, as far as the entrance to the Hillsboro River. Pilot Rules for the Western Rivers apply north of the Pratt Street Bridge at the entrance to the Hillsboro River.

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Nautical

6. Lighted Bell Buoy 1B:

Direct (Cut B Lighted Range ahead).
Reverse (Cut B Lighted Range astern)

7. Lighted Bell Buoy 2C:

Direct (Cut C Lighted Range ahead) -
Reverse (Cut C Lighted Range astern)

8. Lighted Bell Buoy 1D:

Direct (Cut D Lighted Range astern).
Reverse (Cut D Lighted Range ahead)

9. Lighted Bell Buoy 1E:

Direct (Cut E Lighted Range ahead)_
Reverse (Cut E Lighted Range astern)| 198

10. Lighted Bell Buoy 1F:

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