3. Redfish Point Light, distant 0.4 mi. Point Light in range: Nautical miles Direct (Town Point ahead). Heading for Town Point (not the light). 4. Redfish Point Light, distant 0.5 mi. Courtney Point Shoal Light about on range: Direct (Palmetto Point ahead) Reverse (Palmetto Point astern). Heading for Palmetto Point and avoiding shoal water off the point southeastward of Redfish Point and also off Town Point Light. 5. Town Point Light abeam (on above course), bearing 54° true (NE. 1⁄2 E. mag.), distant 300 yards: Direct (Military Point ahead). Heading for Military Point. 6. Bay Harbor Shoal Light abeam (on above course), bearing 14° true (N. % E. mag.), distant 600 yards: Thence haul northward for the wharf 295 Directions, through East Bay to Wetappo Creek.-Day beacons mark the principal shoals protruding off the points through East Bay and courses passing outside these beacons lead through good water. Fifteen feet (4.6 m) can be carried as far as Goose Point and 10 feet (3.0 m) to beyond Farmdale, but there are spots with 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m) to the eastward of East Point. Bn. 59.-Give a berth of 200 yards to avoid a 6-foot (1.8 m) spot outside the beacon. Bn. 57.-Pass 150 yards to the eastward of. Bn. 4.-Pass 200 yards west and south of. There is a spit, with 1 foot (0.3 m) of water over it, extending off the first point to the northwestward of Bn. No. 4. The course leads about 100 yards off this spit and there are several 5-foot (1.5 m) shoals lying about 100 yards southwestward of the course opposite the spit. The channel is deep but less than 200 yards wide here. Bn. 55.-Pass 175 yards north of. Bn. 2.-Pass 400 yards south of and 200 yards southeast of. Bns. 53 to 1.-These pile beacons mark the east side and the south side of the channel leading into Wetappo Creek and the Inland Waterway to Apalachicola. (18) CHOCTAWHATCHEE BAY 18. ST. ANDREW BAY TO PENSACOLA BAY (Charts 184, 185, and 1265) 169 For 94 miles westward of St. Andrew Bay to Pensacola Bay the shore line is a gently curving sand beach, unbroken except at the entrance to Choctawhatchee Bay, 50 miles westward of St. Andrew Bay entrance. Except at the entrances to the bays the beach is steep-to and can be approached closely, and there are no outlying dangers. A slightly elevated wooded knoll, locally known as Topsail Bluff, stands 8 miles eastward of the entrance to Choctawhatchee Bay and can be seen for several miles, especially by vessels near the coast. Choctawhatchee Bay is 25 miles long and averages 3 miles in width. It lies nearly parallel to the coast line, and is separated from the Gulf by land varying in width from one-fourth mile to about 4 miles. The depths of water in the bay decrease gradually from west to east, there being 18 to 25 feet (5.5 to 7.6 m) over the western two-thirds, except near the shores, and a depth of 9 feet (2.7 m) at the eastern limit of the bay. The bay and its tributaries have considerable traffic with Pensacola in lumber and naval stores. There is good highway connection to Pensacola and Panama City on both the north and south shores of Choctawhatchee Bay. Choctawhatchee Bay Entrance (New Pass Channel), between Moreno Point and Santa Rosa Island, affords entrance from the Gulf into the western part of Choctawhatchee Bay. From close offshore it is easily identified by the tall fixed highway bridge crossing the channel just inside the east point of Santa Rosa Island. The vertical clearance at the highest part of the bridge is 38 feet (11.6 m) at mean low water, with a horizontal clearance of 75 feet. The entrance is marked by a lighted buoy and two channel (not range) lights. Directions, Choctawhatchee Bay.-In 1935 there was 6 feet (1.8 m) on the bar just inside Choctawhatchee Bay Entrance Lighted Buoy. If entering without assistance, head about one-fourth mile east of the east point at the entrance and gradually veer to the westward passing close-by to the westward of Choctawhatchee Channel Light 2 and through the center of the high span of the bridge. Generally the channel can be followed either by the breakers or by the color of the water, deeper where it is darker. The channel is subject to change. From the bridge, head due north, 0° true (N. 11⁄2 W. mag.), for a distance of about one-third mile, heading 300 yards to the eastward of Choctawhatchee Channel Light 1 and passing less than 200 yards off the western end of Moreno Point. Then veer to westward heading 150 yards to the eastward of the light and continue this course for one-half mile beyond the light which will lead into the deep water of the bay. If going to the northern or eastern part of Choctawhatchee Bay, pass one-fourth mile or more outside of Cobbs Point Light to avoid the shoal off the west point at the entrance to Jones Bayou; thence use the chart as a guide to any part of the bay. If going to Garnier Bayou, head half a mile south of Black Point. Fixed bridges, each with vertical clearance of 24 feet (7.3 m) at mean high water cross Garniers Bayou and Five Mile Bayou. If going to Santa Rosa Sound steer 255° true (WSW. 14 W.) to a position on the Santa Rosa Sound Lighted Range and about a third of a mile east of Choctawhatchee Bay Beacon 1. The reverse direction on this course should clear Cobbs Point by about 400 yards. See page 171 for Directions through Santa Rosa Sound. East Pass, the former entrance to Choctawhatchee Bay, lies about 114 miles east of the present entrance to the bay. In 1935 this pass was nearly closed. Choctawhatchee River, emptying into the eastern end of Choctawhatchee Bay has a depth at ordinary low water of 42 feet (1.4 m) for 24 miles to the entrance to Holmes River which may be regarded as the head of navigation. The mouth of the river is through Cypress Top Outlet which has a controlling depth of 4 feet (1.2 m) and is marked at the outer end by a fixed white light. A launch makes tri-weekly trips between Santa Rosa Sound points and the Choctawhatchee River but proceeds only about 3 miles up the river. Freeport is a post office and small town on Fourmile Creek which empties into LaGrange Bayou. It has communication by telegraph and improved State highway to all parts of the State. There is a controlling depth of 41/2 feet (1.4 m) through LaGrange Bayou, [project depth 9 feet (2.7 m)] to Fourmile Creek which deepens to about 9 feet (2.7 m). Gasoline, fresh water, and provisions can be obtained here. A free ferry operates between Freeport and Port Washington at the southeast head of Choctawhatchee Bay. A light marks the west side of the entrance to LaGrange Bayou. Niceville is a small town and summer resort at the head of Boggy Bayou. The entrance to the bayou is marked by a fixed white light on the west side of the channel off Boggy Point. The bayou is deep and a draft of 8 feet (2.4 m) can be easily carried through the middle of the bayou to the wharves at Nicetown. Gasoline, fresh water, ice, and provisions can be obtained here, and there are facilities for making repairs to vessels up to about 65 feet long and about 9 feet draft. There is telephone, telegraph, and improved State highway connection with all parts of the State. Valparaiso, on Tom Bayou which is a branch of Boggy Bayou, is a post office and summer resort. Gasoline, fresh water, provisions, and some yacht supplies can be obtained. There is a marine ways capable of hauling out boats up to 9 feet (2.7 m) in draft and 75 feet in length. Some machine repairs can also be made. A draft of 10 to 12 feet (3.0 to 3.7 m) can be taken to the warves here. Storm warnings (day only) are displayed in the public square. There is triweekly boat service between Pensacola and Freeport, Nicetown, and Valparaiso. Portland on Alaqua Bayou, Santa Rosa on Hogtown Bayou, Bolton on Rocky Bayou, Destin on Moreno Point, and Garnier on Garnier Bayou are post offices and small fishing villages. There is no regular boat service to these towns. A free ferry operates between Freeport and Port Washington at the head of Choctawhatchee Bay. Santa Rosa Sound and its eastern continuation, known as The Narrows, together constitute a connecting waterway between Choctawhatchee Bay and Pensacola Bay. They lie parallel to the coast, just back of a narrow strip of beach known as Santa Rosa Island, and have a combined length of 33 miles. The width varies from (18) SANTA ROSA SOUND 171 134 miles in the widest part of the sound to 250 yards in the narrowest part of The Narrows. The western part of the sound, including the entrance from Pensacola Bay, has a depth of 15 feet (4.6 m) or more in a narrow channel; the eastern half of the sound, The Narrows, and the approach from Choctawhatchee Bay have been dredged where necessary to give a least depth of 71/2 feet (2.3 m) in the channel. The project dimensions for the channel through the sound are 100 feet wide by 9 feet (2.7 m) deep. The channel is marked by beacons, lights, and lighted ranges, and by careful attention to the sailing directions and a sharp lookout for indications of shoals, a depth of about 72 feet (2.3 m) could be carried through in 1935. The deeper water through the sound is generally indicated by the color. The shoals are mostly white sand and show very light, almost white. Depths of less than 12 feet (3.7 m) show light green; the lighter the green, the shoaler the water. Depths of more than 12 feet (3.7 m) show quite dark green in contrast with the lighter green of the shoaler areas. Two swing bridges cross Santa Rosa Sound; one just east of Fort Walton having a horizontal clearance of 80 feet and a vertical clearance above high water of 14 feet (4.3 m); and one near Pensacola, over the west end of the sound, having a horizontal clearance of 100 feet and a vertical clearance of 13 feet (4.0 m) above high water. Fort Walton is a post office and summer resort. There is a hotel and general store here. Gasoline, fresh water, and provisions can be obtained. About one-half mile westward of the town is a slipways where small launches can be hauled out. Storm wornings (day only) are displayed at Fort Walton. Mary Esther and Florrosa are post offices and small summer resorts on the north shore of The Narrows. There is tri-weekly boat service between these towns on Santa Rosa Sound and Pensacola and the towns on Choctawhatchee Bay. Directions, Santa Rosa Sound.-The distance through this passage from the highway bridge at Fort Walton to Deer Point Light is 31 miles. In 1935 the controlling depth was 72 feet (2.3 m). Approach the dredged cut 1/2 miles eastward of Fort Walton with Santa Rosa Sound Lighted Range ahead, steering 268° true (W. 1⁄2 S. mag.) and passing close-by to the northward of Choctawhatchee Bay Bns. 1 and 3. This range heads just a trifle to the south of the center of the highway bridge. The range lights and Bn. 1 are on the point on the south shore just east of the bridge. Round this point at 50-60 yards. There is shoal ground to the northward. After passing through the draw, pass between Bns. 2 and 3 and follow along the north shore at 50-75 yards off, till approaching Bn. 4. Bn. 4.-Pass 100 yards or less to south of. Hurricane Crossing Lighted Range.-Cross, on the range, from the north side to the south side of The Narrows, avoiding a 5-foot (1.5 m) spot to the northwest of the front range light. Course 235° true (SW. 12 W. mag.). For about one-third mile west of the front range light (Hurricane Crossing), pass about 50 yards off the points along the south shore 57738°-36——12 and continue westward at 75-100 yards off the south shore, till approaching Bn. 6. Bns. 6 and 8 mark a dredged cut. Pass 50 to 60 yards southwest of. Continue to within about 50 yards of the point west of the cut, then gradually haul over to the north shore, avoiding the shoal area off the north side of the point. Keep 75-100 yards off the north shore till half way to Bn. 10, and then increase the distance off-shore. Bn. 10.-Pass 50-60 yards south of. Bn. 5.-Pass 50 yards north of. Bn. 7.-Pass 50 yards north of this beacon and then head southwestward to a position about 400 yards west of the front range light. Avoid a 5-foot (1.5 m) spot between the front light and Bn. 7. Circle Crossing Lighted Range. Follow this range from the position about 400 yards west of the front range light, till approaching Bn. 12, passing north of a spoil bank. Course 273° true (W. % S. mag.). Bn. 12.-Pass 50 yards south of. Bn. 9.-Pass 125 yards north of. Bn. 14.—Pass 75-100 yards south of. Bn. 14 marks a 3-foot (0.9 m) shoal. Bn. 11.-Pass 50 yards north of. Bn. 13.-Round at 75 to 100 yards and gradually head to the southward of Bn. 16. Bn. 16.-Round at about 150 yards. There is deep water along the south shore from Bn. 16 to Upper Pritchard Long Point, except a 5-foot (1.5 m) shoal reaching 125 yards off the point one-fourth mile southwest of Bn. 16 (keeping north of the range Bn. 13-Bn. 16 will clear) and a 3-foot (0.9 m) shoal reaching 100 yards to the northwestward off Manatee Point. Keep about 150 yards off these points. Upper Pritchard Long Point Light.-Round this light at 175-200 yards. In the bight between the Pritchard points, the deep water is well north of the center line of the sound. Favor the north shore keeping 700-800 yards off. Lower Pritchard Long Point Light.-Round at about 50 yards. The shoalest depth through the narrows is usually off this point. Westward of the light, head northwestward into deeper water (18 to 20 feet; 5.5 to 6.1 m), and when about 500 yards off the north shore continue along shore at about this distance, heading first a little to the north and later (when about 1 mile distant) a little to the south of Williams Creek Shoal Light 2. Williams Creek Shoal Bn. 1.-Pass 40 vards north of. West of Bn. 3, keep 13 to 11⁄2 mile off the north shore, to the draw bridge east of Deer Point. At a point 51⁄2 miles west of this beacon, shoal ground reaches one-half mile offshore. After passing through the draw bridge, pass 200 yards south of Deer Point Light and steer west-northwestward into Pensacola Bay. |