(5) PONCE DE LEON BAY

83 are small in size, mostly awash at high water, and fringed with oyster reefs.

There are no prominent objects along this section of the coast. Shark River Bluff, Shark Point, and Highland Point can be identified as protruding points with a slightly higher growth of timber. The depths for a distance of 10 miles from the coast are shallow, and for 21⁄2 miles from the coast there is found a depth of 7 feet (2.1 m) or less. With local knowledge 3 to 6 feet (0.9 to 1.8 m) can be carried into many of the rivers.

Ponce de Leon Bay is a nearly rectangular bight, 2 miles wide by 112 miles long, in the west coast of Florida, 7 miles north of Cape Sable Northwest Cape. Shark Point, on the north side of the entrance, and Shark River Bluff, the point on the south side, are heavily wooded to the water's edge, and stand out in bold relief against the tree line at the head of the bay. The head and the northern part of the bay are shallow, but there is a good and convenient anchorage for vessels of 6 feet (1.8 m) draft in the southern half of the entrance, from onefourth to one-half mile northwestward of the southern shore. Several narrow streams empty into the head of the bay.

Directions, Ponce de Leon Bay. The shore from Northwest Cape to Ponce de Leon Bay can be followed at a distance of 1 mile until the south side of the entrance bears northeast. Then follow this shore at a distance of three-eighths to one-half mile, and when the coast south of Little Shark River (the little river 1 mile south of the bay) is shut out, anchor in 7 to 10 feet (2.1 to 3 m). Approaching from northward, keep at least 3 miles off shore until a northeast course will clear the south shore of the bay from three-eighths to one-half mile, and then stand in on this course until the coast south of Little Shark River is just shut out. Here there will be shelter from winds east of north or south, and the shoal northwest of the position will afford considerable protection from that direction. Boats drawing up to 5 feet (1.5 m) can continue into the southernmost of the entrances on the east side of the bay.

The rivers and inland lakes to the north of Northwest Cape are frequented by yachting, hunting, and fishing parties, particularly during the winter season. Without local information, guides are generally necessary and can be secured at the numerous resort towns along the Florida coast from Miami to Tampa or are sometimes available locally. These rivers furnish good anchorages for such boats as can cross the bars off the entrances or proceed into the rivers.

Photostats of survey sheets which afford information in greater detail than can be shown on the scale of Chart 1253 and also including areas beyond the limits of this chart, may be obtained at a nominal cost from the Director, Coast and Geodetic Survey, Washington, D. C.

The area some 10 miles east and southeast of Ponce de Leon Bay consists of a complicated network of tidal channels around thousands of mangrove islets. These channels lead or enlarge into Oyster, Whitewater, and Tarpon Bays, from which in turn shallow rivers lead back into the Everglades.

A controlling depth of 5 feet (1.5 m) can be carried to the southern two of the many entrances on the east side of Ponce de Leon Bay. There is a 32-foot (1.1 m) shoal area in the middle of the southern

most entrance with depths of 8 to 10 feet (2.4 to 2.7 m) on either side of this shoal. Several shoals of about 4 feet (1.2 m) lie in the area within 3 mile of the broad point on the southern shore of the bay. A channel leads through this area direct to the southernmost entrance, but it is unmarked. Generally 5 feet (1.5 m) can be carried through the various passes into Oyster and Tarpon Bays by giving a good berth to the points, which often have tidal bars projecting out from them.

Oyster Bay lies about 2 miles southeast of the southeast corner of Ponce de Leon Bay. It is about 11⁄2 miles wide in an easterly direction, and 4 miles long in a north-south direction. The southern end of Oyster Bay leads into Joe River, a tidal channel running some 10 miles in a southeasterly direction to the southern end of Whitewater Bay. Five feet (1.5 m) can be carried through Oyster Bay and Joe River by avoiding occasional bars.

Numerous channels lead from Oyster Bay easterly through a belt of mangrove about 2 miles wide into Whitewater Bay. Whitewater Bay is about 10 miles long and 5 miles wide, with frequent low mangrove islands and salt water from 2 feet (0.6 m) to 6 feet (1.8 m) deep. At its southern end a creek leads into Coot Bay, which is about a mile in diameter and 3 feet (0.9 m) deep. A trail practicable for automobiles during the winter season leads from the south end of Coot Bay to the road to Miami. There are several channels leading from Whitewater Bay to Joe River. Joe River is used by boats going to and from Whitewater and Coots Bays, as it is the southernmost passage, easy to follow, and deep enough for all boats which can cross the bays.

Little Shark River, with an entrance about 2 miles south of Ponce de Leon Bay, affords a good channel into Oyster Bay for vessels drawing 6 feet (1.8 m) or less. It also affords an anchorage of limited extent but good protection. Occasional snags have been noticed on the middle ground off the entrance. Boats should favor the north side.

Little Shark River Point, on the west side at the entrance to the river is marked by Little Shark River Light; above the light, two beacons mark alternate points along the river entrance channel.

Shark River is the name generally used for the channel at the middle of the east side of Ponce de Leon Bay which leads most directly inland. The point on the south side of the entrance to this channel was cleared some years ago, and the low second-growth mangrove distinguishes it from the other channels. About 1 mile from the entrance on the south bank of this channel are the ruins of an old mill. Some 8 miles in an east-northeasterly direction the channel enlarges into a bay about 1/2 mile wide and 3 miles long called Tarpon Bay. Five feet (1.5 m) can be carried through Shark River and Tarpon Bay. Shallow rivers lead from the north and east of Tarpon Bay back into the Everglades.

Harney River, with an entrance about 2 miles north of Shark Point, gives a good passage for small boats to Tarpon Bay. Numerous bars at the entrance limit the practicable depth to 21⁄2 feet (0.7 m) at low water.

Broad and Rodgers Rivers.-About 32 feet (1.1 m) can be carried over the bar 1/2 miles southwest of the entrance to Board River, and

a 4-foot (1.2 m) channel leads to and through the middle one of the mouths of Broad and Rodgers Rivers into Broad River. Vessels drawing up to 32 feet (1.1 m) can anchor just outside the mouths of these rivers and obtain protection from the sea from the bars outside. These rivers run back to the Everglades some 15 miles. About 6 miles from the coast they connect with a chain of numerous shallow water bays and creeks which extend northward paralleling the coast for some 60 miles. Launches drawing up to 18 inches (0.4 m) can traverse these inside passages from Broad River to Naples.

Lostmans River.-The north entrance to Lostmans River was well staked in 1928. About 3 feet (0.9 m) at low water can be carried some 10 miles back into this river which drains a large area of shallow bays. Guides for yachting, hunting, and fishing can be obtained here, and there is a store where limited amounts of gasoline, oil, and groceries can usually be obtained.

About the only habitations along this section of the coast are a few dwellings about the entrance to Lostmans River and a small group of dwellings on the south side of Wood Key (Porpoise Point) about 3 miles north of Lostmans River.

Seminole Point (locally known as Plover Point) and Pavilion Key, 24 and 30 miles, respectively, northward of Northwest Cape, are fairly prominent when coming up the coast at a distance of 2 or 3 miles from it. Seminole Point is the southwest end of Plover Key, and is the most westerly land seen until Pavilion Key is picked up. After leaving Seminole Point, Pavilion Key is the extreme offshore key to the northwest.

Snake Key. A good anchorage for boats of not over 4 feet draft, of limited extent but with protection in all weather, can be had between the keys of the group northwest of Snake Key. Approach the south end of the group on an east-by-north course and follow the shore about 50 yards off until in the landlocked harbor between the keys. There is also a small boat anchorage off the easterly point of the south end of Pavilion Key; it is good for a draft of 4 to 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 m). The approach passes close to the westward of the small key 1/4 mile south-southeast of Pavilion Key.

Chatham and Huston Rivers offers a connection to the system of shallow bays which parallel the coast. About 2 feet (0.6 m) can be carried up these rivers at low water, but local knowledge is necessary to avoid numerous bars.

About 4 mile west from Outer Point of Rabbit Key, there is wreckage dangerous for light-draft vessels.

Jewel Key, 6 miles northward of Pavilion Key, and 1 mile eastsoutheastward of Pelican Key, marks the entrance of the main channel to Chokoloskee. Jewel Key is a small flat island with a clump of mangroves on the northern end.

Chokoloskee is a post office and small settlement about 3 miles eastnortheast of Jewel Key. Gas, oil, water, ice, and some general_supplies can be bought here. The best channels to Chokoloskee are Jewel Key Pass and Rabbit Key Pass. Three feet (0.9 m) of water, at high tide, can be carried through Chokoloskee Bay from Chokoloskee to the town of Everglades; the channel, however, is not marked and local knowledge is necessary to carry this depth of water.

Rabbit Key Pass is sometimes used by local fishermen to enter Chokoloskee Bay and to go to the town of Chokoloskee. To enter, pass

300 yards northwest of Rabbit Key and steer 25° true (NNE. mag.). Pass 150 yards eastward of the small key 1 mile from Rabbit Key, swing around to a position about 250 yards north of this key and then steer 48° true (NE. mag.) for the opening between the Keys. About 4 feet (1.2 m) of water can be carried at high tide into this pass and about 3 feet (0.9 m) to Chokoloskee. This pass is not marked and local knowledge is necessary to go to Chokoloskee. Jewel Key Pass is the one generally used, and is recommended for strangers.

Jewel Key Pass, or Chokoloskee Pass, is the main channel to the town. of Chokoloskee. To enter, pass 200 yards southeast of Jewel Key on a northeasterly course. Leave the small island east of Jewel Key about 200 yards on the starboard hand and continue in a general east by northerly direction for 134 miles. The channel turns southeasterly here for 11⁄2 mile and then turns in a generally east-northeasterly direction, but is very crooked. The upper part of the channel is sometimes marked by stakes, and piles with pointers, but strangers should proceed carefully to avoid the numerous oyster bars. About 312 feet (1.1 m) of water can be carried at low tide to Chokoloskee and 5 to 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 m) at high tide but strangers may find difficulty in keeping the channel.

Vessels of less than 3 feet (0.9 m) draft can enter the channel by passing about 150 yards north of Jewel Key.

Indian Key Light 1 (Lat. 25°48'.0; Long. 81°28'.1) is a flashing white light on a black, triangular, superstructure on piles 32 feet (9.8 m) high, and located in 9 feet (2.7 m) of water, off the southern end of Indian Key.

Indian Key Anchorage (chart 1254), 30 miles northwestward of Shark Point and 10 miles below Big Marco River, is well protected from all winds and is good for drafts under 7 feet (2.1 m). The anchorage is easily entered during daylight or dark and presents no difficulties after Indian Key and Indian Key Light have been made out. Indian Key is about 1,000 yards long and 200 yards wide and lies with its major axis in a north-northeast and south-southwest direction; it is wooded and resembles, except for its shape, all neighboring keys. The anchorage is northeast of the key and is more easily reached by the passage east of the key as on this side depths of 7 to 13 feet (2.1 to 4 m) extend close to the key. Vessels of deeper draft should avoid the 6-foot (1.8 m) spot 275 yards off the northeast point of the key. A red nun buoy (No. 2) lies 312 miles 206° true (SSW. 1 W. mag.) from Indian Key and 91⁄2 miles 61° true (NE. by E. 14 E. mag.) from Cape Romano Shoals Lighted Whistle Buoy, and serves as a guide to the anchorage.

Everglades, a small town about 6 miles northeastward of Indian Key, is the county seat of Collier County. It is the center for extensive truck farming and for both commercial and sport fishing. It is the southern terminus of a branch of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad to Haines City. It is close to and connected with the Tamiami Trail, the State highway between Fort Myers and Miami. There is a post office, telegraph office, various stores, several machine shops, a hospital, one year-round and one seasonal hotel, an ice and power plant and a sawmill (near by). There is free dockage and free water along the river front which has been bulkheaded so as to give

(5) DIRECTIONS, INDIAN KEY PASS

87

excellent berths to vessels which can enter the river. Gasoline, distillate, ice, and general stores can be obtained; also fishing supplies and a moderate stock of yacht supplies. There is There is a small marine railway at Port du Pont, about a mile further up the river, which can haul out vessels up to 6 feet (1.8 m) draft and about 100 feet long. In 1935, a second railway was to be installed which could accommodate a 250-ton dredge. There are numerous guide boats available for fishing, hunting, etc., in the immediate vicinity as well as in the Shark River section. The best channel leading to Everglades is Indian Key Pass or Ship Channel. In 1935, 5 feet (1.5 m) could be carried through this pass at low tide and 7 feet (2.1 m) at high tide.

Storm warnings are displayed on the river front approaching the town.

Directions for Indian Key Anchorage and Pass (Ship Channel).-From the Red Buoy off Indian Key, steer 30° true (NNE. 2 E. mag.), passing 100 yards southeastward of Indian Key Light. Good anchorage can be found about 700 yards northeast of Indian Key in 8 to 12 feet (2.4 to 3.7 m) of water, or about a mile northeast of the Key, between Beacons 3 and 5, in 14 feet (4.3 m), gravel bottom. The channel beyond Beacon 3 extends in an east-northeast direction to Beacon 7 and thence east by south for about a mile. From here the channel turns northeast and is very crooked for some distance. Numerous beacons mark either side of the channel; the even-numbered beacons have red reflectors and the odd-numbered beacons have green reflectors. There is a straight dredged channel across Chokoloskee Bay into Barron River. The town of Everglades is about half a mile above the entrance to Barron River, and Port du Pont, a small industrial section, is about a mile farther up the river. The controlling depth in 1935 was 5 feet (1.5 m) at low water at a point just south of the derdged cut across Chokoloskee Bay.

West Pass begins 3 miles west-northwest of Indian Key Light. It extends in a generally east-northeasterly direction, passing north of Tiger Key to the head of Chokoloskee Bay about 311⁄2 miles from Tiger Key, and thence down the Bay to Barron River and Everglades. The draft through Chokoloskee Bay is limited to 2 feet (0.6 m) at low tide. This pass is not marked.

Fakahatchee is a small settlement on the Bay locally known as Fakahatchee Bay, about 2 miles northeast of Round Key. Fakahatchee Pass to Fakahatchee passes about 400 yards west of Round Key and extends in a northeasterly direction. There are no supplies obtainable at Fakahatchee.

Dismal Key Channel begins between Horse Key and the key 1/2 mile to westward, and extends in a generally northeast direction to the head of Fakahatchee Bay. It takes its name from Dismal Key, a high shell key about 11⁄2 miles northeast of Horse Key. There is no settlement here and the pass is used only by fisherman and trappers.

CAPE ROMANO TO SAN CARLOS BAY

Cape Romano (Lat. 25°50.'7; Long. 81°40.'9) is the southern point of a large island which lies 75 miles northward from Northwest Passage Unused Lighthouse. Here the coast changes its trend from northwest by west to north-northwest.