bridge. The deepening of this channel to 9 feet (2.7 m) was authorized in 1935. The channel is well marked by lights and beacons. The controlling depth in the channel was 52 feet (1.7 m) in 1935. The river, outside of this dredged channel, is very shallow and above the bridge is navigable for only a draft of 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 m). The bridge has a swing draw 50 feet wide and with a vertical clearance of 6 feet (1.8 m) above low water when closed.

Anclote is a small settlement on the north bank of Anclote River. Tarpon Springs (population 3,414 by 1930 census) is a winter resort and commercial fishing town on the south bank of the Anclote River about 4 miles above the entrance. It is the headquarters for the sponge-fishing fleet on the west coast of Florida, an industry employing upwards of 100 boats and 1,000 men. There are railroad and highway connections to all parts of the State, a municipal hospital, and several hotels. A draft of about 512 feet (1.7 m) can be carried to the municipal landing, a marginal wharf over 300 feet long, at the Sponge Exchange just below the county bridge. Fresh water, gasoline, provisions, and some boat supplies can be secured at Tarpon Springs. There are several yards along the river with excellent facilities for hauling and repairing boats; there are also storage facilities. The limit for hauling is about 65 feet in length and 6 feet (1.8 m) draft. Storm warnings are displayed from a tower at the Sponge Exchange.

About half a mile below Tarpon Springs, Kramer Bayou and Tarpon Bayou branch off on the south side of the Anclote River. The junction is at the north end of a small island a short distance above Light 9 and immediately below Light 13; the river passes to the east of the island and the common entrance to the two bayous passes to the west of the island. At Chesapeake Point, this entrance channel again branches, Kramer Bayou leading to the west of the point and Tarpon Bayou to the east side of the point.

On the east arm of Tarpon Bayou, there is a small concretefaced yacht basin with a public wharf at its head. About 3 feet (0.9 m) can be carried from the river through Tarpon Bayou to this yacht basin which is centrally located in the town of Tarpon Springs.

Directions, Anclote River. The entrance to the dredged channel is marked by Anclote River Light 1 and by South Entrance Beacon 4. There are lighted ranges for the first two cuts (A and B) and Anclove Keys Lighthouse is also on range with the first Cut A. Beyond Cut B, the river proper is entered. The channel is well marked by numerous lights and beacons of which the even numbered should be left to starboard and the uneven numbered ones should be left to port. When up to Beacon 24, continue straight ahead past Beacon 26, then round the bend to Beacon 11, and pass south of Light 13 and proceed in midchannel to the wharves. To go to the yacht basin on the eastern arm of Tarpon Bayou, leave the river between Beacons 24 and 26, at the north end of a small island. Follow the marked channel, leaving beacons close by and favoring the eastern and northern banks. The channel leads south along the east side of Chesapeake Point, past a small bayou on the port hand and into the second passage on the north side. Keep about in the middle of this passage and look out for submerged

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rocks. The public landing is on the north side, nearly at the head of the arm.

DIRECTIONS, BOCA CIEGA BAY TO ANCLOTE ANCHORAGE

A depth of 8 feet (2.4 m) can be carried across Boca Ciega Bay to Pass-a-Grille. The controlling depth through The Narrows and Clearwater Harbor is 3 feet (1.8 m). The distance from Point Pinellas Light to a position in Anclote Anchorage opposite Anclote Keys Lighthouse is 40 miles.

Boca Ciega Bay is entered from Tampa Bay at Point Pinellas Light, 212 miles eastward of Point Pinellas. From the light, steer 266° true (W. 2 S. mag.), passing south of Bn. 2 and north of Bns. 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9.

Bns. 9 to 13.—From Bn. 9, small boats of less than 3 feet (0.9 m) draft can hold course across the shoal.

The main channel, good for 8 feet (2.4 m) turns northwest from Bn. 9 for 1 mile to Bns. 11 and 11A. Leave these beacons to southward, avoiding a 5-foot spot 300 yards northwest of Bn. 11A, and turn southwestward passing west of Bn. 13.

Bns. 4 and 6.-Pass south of.

Bns. 8 and 13A.-Pass between.

If going to Pass-a-Grille, head southwestward from Bn. 8, keeping in the middle of the channel, to Bn. 9; pass east and about 100 yards south of Bn. 9 and head for the wharves at Pass-a-Grille.

To continue through Boca Ciega Bay, head northward from Bn. 8. The channel is well marked by red beacons with even numbers along the right-hand side (east and north side) and black beacons with odd numbers along the left-hand side (west and south side). However, shoals frequently encroach on the channel and vessels using this passage should keep in dark water, the shoals showing greenish white. Chart 1257 is the guide; strangers should not attempt this inside passage without this chart.

One drawbridge crosses the bay to the eastward of Blind Pass and another 111⁄2 miles north of John Pass. About half a mile north of the first bridge, there is an overhead wire crossing with a clearance of 51 feet (15.5 m) above mean high water. A drawbridge crosses The Narrows at Indian Rock Beach. The controlling bridge clearances are 50 feet horizontal and 5 feet (1.5 m) vertical (when closed). Through The Narrows there is a depth of barely 3 feet (0.9 m) but the channel is well marked by the beacons and by the spoil banks along the sides of the dredged cuts.

Bns. 7 and 10.-The channel forks; Little Pass Channel heads to the north westward and the Clearwater Harbor Channel heads to the northeastward toward Clearwater. The inside route continues northward through the latter channel.

A highway causeway crosses Clearwater Harbor opposite Clearwater. The bascule draw is near the east shore; the horizontal clearance is 50 feet and the vertical clearance 8 feet (2.4 m) when the draw is closed. The public dock at Clearwater is just south of the bridge.

At Bn. 88, about 11⁄2 miles north of the causeway bridge, the channel forks again, the Big Pass Channel heading northwestward

57738°-36--10

and the inside route continuing to the northeastward toward Dunedin. Between Bn. 88 and Dunedin, there is another shoal section of the inside route, the depths here being barely 3 feet (0.9 m).

The various channels about Clearwater Harbor are described on page 135.

The channel passes close off the wharves at Dunedin and continues northward through the central portion of St. Joseph Sound. Off the north end of the Caladesi Islands, the marked channel favors the western side of the sound. From Bn. 87 at the north end of the sound, a course 4° true (N. 1% E. mag.) for 3 miles passes 0.7 m eastward of Anclote Keys Lighthouse and leads to a position in Anclote Anclote Anchorage off the entrance to Anclote River.

Anclote Anchorage can be entered from the Gulf by passing either to the north or south of Anclote Keys. Directions are given on page 137.

Northward of Anclote Keys, for 60 miles, to Cedar Keys, the coast is low and fringed with marshes averaging a mile in width. The coast line is broken by a number of shallow creeks and rivers, which can be entered only by small boats. Innumerable small keys and islets lie near the coast, and broken ground extends as much as 15 miles offshore in places. As a general rule, the depths decrease gradually as the coast is approached, but there are many shallow spots and rocks with deeper water inside. These extend for a distance of 40 miles northward from Anclote Keys, 10 miles and more offshore, and are known under the general name of St. Martin Reef. The outer limit of shallow water and detached shoals is marked by St. Martin Outer Shoal Beacon 22, in a depth of 13 feet (4.0 m), at a position 16 miles 343° true (N. by W. 34 W. mag.) from Anclote Keys Lighthouse.

Strangers should approach the coast with great care, and vessels of deep draft should keep in 5 to 6 fathoms (9.1 to 11.0 m). Small vessels of 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 m) draft usually follow the coast more closely, especially during windy weather, and by keeping about 7 miles off find compartively smooth water. This section of the coast is frequently obscured by a hazy atmosphere, and the vessels standing inshore close enough to sight land are mostly spongers and fishermen; these sometimes anchor in shoal water behind shell reefs, in places where the bottom is soft, and ride out the heaviest gales. Vessels of moderate draft can anchor in from 3 to 5 fathoms (5.5 to 9.1 m) anywhere between Anclote Keys and Cedar Keys, and, as there is but little sea, they can ride out anything except a hurricane.

Bird Roosts, or Racks, have been built on the outermost shoals all along this coast between Tampa Bay and St. Marks River. They consist of a square platform on piles about 10 feet above the water, and make good landmarks. Since these racks are usually built on the outermost shoals, small boats can be assured of fairly good water by keeping outside of them.

New Port Richey (population 758 by 1930 census) is a small village on Pithlochascootie River about 21⁄2 miles from the entrance. It is on a State highway and has telephone and railroad connections. There is extensive shoal area off the mouth of the river across which a draft of about 4 feet (1.2 m) can be carried at high water; there is fairly deep water in the river as far as the highway bridge. There is a small public wharf at New Port Richey, and gasoline, oil, and pro

visions can be obtained. Port Richey consists of a few houses at the entrance to the river. There is a post office at both New Port Richey and at Port Richey. There is a scattered settlement along the river between the two places.

Hudson, about 14 miles north of Tarpon Springs, is a small settlement with a post office and one or two commercial fish houses on Hudson Creek. A draft of about 3 feet (0.9 m) can be carried into the creek on a favorable tide but the entrance is difficult. Hudson is on a State highway.

Aripeka is a post office and small settlement of a few houses on Indian Bay. It is on a State highway.

Bayport consists of a hotel, a few houses and a post office on Wekiwoochee River, 24 miles north of Tarpon Springs. There is a road to Brooksville, 18 miles away. A draft of about 3 feet (0.9 m) can be carried to Bayport on a favorable tide. The channel begins close to southward of Beacon Rock, a prominent rock bare at high tide lying 214 miles offshore, and continues in a generally west by south direction through the oyster reefs into Wekiwoochee River.

Chassahowitzka River empties into Chassahowitzka Bay, 33 miles north of Anclote Keys Lighthouse. There is considerable hunting in this locality. A draft of about 3 feet (0.9 m) can be carried, on a favorable tide, to a small fishing camp on the river. The channel is difficult for strangers. Black Rock, 211⁄2 miles offshore from the entrance to the river, shows above water at all stages of the tide. Chassahowitzka Point on the north side of the bay, is a prominent high mangrove island. Bird Island is prominent in the mouth of the river.

Homosassa is a small fishing community on Homosassa River, about 412 miles from the entrance. It has railroad, telephone, and telegraph connection with Crystal River. There are several stores and commercial fish houses, a couple hotels, and a post office. Gasoline, oil, ice, and provisions can be obtained. A draft of about 4 feet (1.2 m) can be carried to the village on a favorable tide but both the river entrance and channel are rocky. To enter the river, pass about 214 miles northwestward of Chassahowitzka Point and head in a generally northeasterly direction, keeping in dark water, as the shoals on each side will show light colored. The course leads about 112 miles southward and southeastward of Homosassa Islands. When close to the shore the course turns eastward, then southward, and passes close to northward of Shell Island. Chart No. 179 is the guide.

A channel 5 feet (1.5 m) deep at mean low water and 40 feet wide through the four bars at the entrance to the river was authorized in 1935.

Homosassa Islands are prominent mangrove islands located about 2 miles offshore on the north side of Homosassa Bay.

Crystal River empties into the north side of Crystal Bay 46 miles northward of Anclote Keys Lighthouse and 23 miles east-southeastward of Cedar Keys. Approaching from the southwest, Mangrove Point is first picked up while Ford Island (midway between Mangrove Point and Mullet Key) appears as the highest land when approaching from the west or northwest. The entrance to the river is across a large shoal area and thence across Crystal Reefs through which a channel, 6 feet (1.8 m) deep and 60 feet wide has been

dredged; altho this channel is subject to shoaling, it had an effective depth of about 6 feet (1.8 m) in 1935. Most of the river channel is relatively deep but there is a shoal area at the river mouth with barely 6 feet which is the controlling depth which can be taken up the river. The town of Crystal River (population 869 by 1930 census) is on a small basin on the north side at the head of the river, 6 miles above the entrance. It is on a State highway and has railroad, telegraph, and telephone connections. There are several commercial fish and oyster houses. Gasoline, oil, water, and provisions can be obtained and some repairs to small boats can be made. There is fresh water in the upper section of the river which has its source in numerous springs at the head of the river. The mean tidal range at the mouth of the river is about 211⁄2 feet.

To enter Crystal River, keep at least 5 miles offshore until Crystal River Beacon 1, a black pyramidal structure 16 feet high, bears about E. by N. and then steer for it. Pass between this beacon and Crystal River Beacon 2, these two beacons marking the entrance to the dredged channel into the river. This channel is well marked by beacons which indicate the passages or dredged cuts through the numerous oyster bars over Crystal Reef. The river is entered at the north end of Shell Island where there is a shoal area with about 6 feet (1.8 m) at low water. The river is generally deep but there are shoaler areas off some of the points. Midchannel courses should be followed and a lookout kept for these shoaler areas. A draft of about 6 feet (1.8 m) can be carried to the outer basin at the head of the river but only 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 m) can be taken into the inner basin and to the fish-house wharves. Keep to the right and close to the west end of a small island when entering the inner basin.

WITHLACOOCHEE ANCHORAGE AND RIVER

Withlacoochee Anchorage lies 46 miles northward of Anclote Keys Lighthouse, 14 miles southeastward of Cedar Keys, and 72 miles offshore. The approach to the anchorage from deep water of the Gulf is marked by Withlacoochee Entrance Buoy, located 1011⁄2 miles 114° true (ESE. mag.) from Seahorse Reef Light. East Shoal Buoy 1 is located on the northeastern side of the anchorage and marks the channel leading to Port Inglis. The anchorage consists of a small basin among the shoals, locally known as the Loading Pool, which was formerly used by ocean-going vessels while loading cargoes brought out in lighters from Port Inglis. There is room in the pool for five vessels of not more than 16 feet (4.9 m) draft.

Withlacoochee River empties into the Gulf 72 miles northeastward of Withlacoochee anchorage, from which a channel 85 feet wide and 10 feet (3.0 m) deep has been dredged through the reefs and shoals to Port Inglis at the mouth of the river.

In 1934, the controlling depths were as follows:

Gulf to Port Inglis (at mouth of river) –

To Inglis (7 miles above mouth).

To Florida Power Co. lock (10 miles above mouth)

To Stocktons Ferry (34 miles above mouth)

To Croom (74 miles above mouth)_

9.5 feet (2.8 m)

6.0 feet (1.8 m)

4.0 feet (1.2 m)

4.0 feet (1.2 m)

2.0 feet (0.6 m)

A tugboat of the Florida Power Corporation drawing about 7 feet makes regular trips as far as Inglis. Navigation is much obstructed