between protected anchorages and by keeping in shallow water and behind some shoals there is less sea with which to contend.

From outside Northwest Channel, a course 48° true (N. E. mag.) for 511⁄2 miles leads from abeam Northwest Channel Entrance Lighted Bell Buoy to a position 111⁄2 miles off Northwest Cape (Position No. 21 below). Or boats using Calda Channel can stear 22° true (N. by E. 34 E.) for 2 miles through the shoals off the entrance to the channel (verify channel through the shoals) and then 45° true (NE. 14 N. mag.) for 472 miles to a position 11⁄2 miles off Northwest Cape (Position No. 21 below). The International Rules apply north of a line extending from Northwest Channel Entrance Lighted Bell Buoy 1 to East Cape, Cape Sable.

Courses and Distances for the most protected and most usually used route for small boats from Key West to San Carlos Bay are tabulated below. The total distance via this route between Key West Harbor and Caloosa Lighted Bell Buoy is 181 miles and the limiting draft across Florida Bay is about 6 feet (1.8 m). The Inland Rules apply as far as a position off East Cape and the International Rules north of this position.

Courses and Distances

Key West to San Carlos Bay, via Hawk Channel and Florida Bay

Courses and Distances-Continued

Key West to San Carlos Bay, via Hawk Channel and Florida Bay-Continued

(5) DIRECTIONS

Courses and Distances-Continued

95

Key West to San Carlos Bay, via Hawk Channel and Florida Bay—Continued

Courses and Distances-Continued

Key West to San Carlos Bay, via Hawk Channel and Florida Bay-Continued

NOTE 1.-From position No. 9 at the drawbridge crossing Moser Channel, a 356° true (N. 2 W. mag.) course for 34 miles leads to a position 250 yards westward of Beacon 2. Then steer 19° true (N. by E. 1⁄2 E. mag.) for 3 miles, then change course to 354° true (N. 4 W. mag.) for three-fourths mile, which will lead 400 yards westward of Beacon 1, which marks the northern edge of a 3-foot (0.9 m) shoal. Continuing on this course for 25 miles leads to Position No. 21.

This route leads well to the westward of the shoaler portion of Florida Bay and does not give as much protection as the route for which courses are given above.

NOTE 2.-Sandy Key Channel, to the east and north of Schooner and Oxfoot Banks, is good for a depth of 5 to 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 m). From Position No. 18 steer 334° true (NNW. 2 W. mag.) for 5.7 miles to a position about 750 yards north-northeastward of Sandy Key Channel Beacon 9, passing about the same distance off Schooner Bank Beacon 7. Follow the beacons and sound through the shoal area to the north of Oxford Bank. From a position 14-mile southwestward of Sandy Key Channel Beacon 12, a course 312° true (NW. 2 W. mag.) for 10.6 miles leads to Position No. 20, passing 2 mile southwestward of Cape Sable Anchorage Light 14.

6. SAN CARLOS BAY

(Charts 473 and 1255)

Santa Carlos Bay is 110 miles 365° true (N. 5% W. mag.) from Northwest Passage Lighthouse and about 20 miles southward of Charlotte Harbor. It is connected with the latter by two shallow bodies of water known as Pine Island Sound and Matlacha Pass. It is largely filled with shoals, on which the depths vary between 1 and 6 feet (0.3 and 1.8 m), and is of commercial importance chiefly as the approach to Caloosahatchee River. San Carlos Bay and adjacent waters are the resort of tourists and fishermen during the winter months, and are frequented principally by small local vessels and yachts.

The eastern part of the bay can be entered from the Gulf by a dredged channel (project dimensions, 200 feet wide and 12 feet (3.7 m) deep), which leads to Punta Rasa and the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River. The channel is subject to gradual shoaling, and is redredged from time to time. In 1935, the controlling depth was 1112 feet (3.5 m). Several beacons and Punta Rasa Range lights mark its axis.

A swash channel, with depths of 4 to 7 feet (1.2 to 2.1 m) leads close around the south side of the eastern point of Sanibel Island, but it is unmarked and continually shifting.

There is a narrow channel, marked by beacons, with a least depth of 11 feet (3.4 m), leading along the northeast side of Sanibel Island to the wharf at St. James City.

Punta Rasa is a small settlement on the point 2 miles north of Sanibel Island Lighthouse. It is a point of refuge for such coasting vessels as can enter the bay. There is a small wharf available for vessels drawing up to 12 feet and not excessive length. Pilots (not licensed) can be secured here by signaling the cable station or by telephoning to Fort Myers. Roads lead to Fort Myers and to Estero Island and there is an automobile ferry to Sanibel Island which operates daily throughout the year. There is a telegraph and cable station. Only rain water in very limited quantities is available. Gasoline and oil can be obtained. There is daily boat service with Fort Myers and settlements in Pine Island Sound. Arrangements can be made for having fresh water and fuel oil delivered from Fort Myers.

Matthews Wharf, on the northeast side of Sanibel Island, about 11/2 miles west of the light, is a small settlement and winter resort. It is the outlet for the fruit and gardens produce grown in this vicinity. There is a hotel and general store here. Gasoline, oil, supplies, and water in small quantities can be obtained. A telephone line connects with Punta Rasa and Fort Myers. There is daily boat service with Fort Myers and the settlements in Pine Island Sound.

Sanibel is located on the northeast side of Sanibel Island, 2 miles westward of the light. There is a hotel, post office, and daily boat service here, but no supplies can be had. A draft of 6 feet (1.8 m) can be carried to the wharf.

There is an automobile ferry to Punta Rasa which operates throughout the year.

St. James City is a post office and small fishing town on the southern end of Pine Island. Gasoline, oil, ice, and a few supplies can be obtained. The fresh water is poor. A draft of 11 feet (3.6 m) can be carried here through the channel, but there is a depth of only about 9 feet (2.7 m) at the face of the dock. A road leads to the northern end of the island and connects with the county road across Little Pine Island and Matlacha Pass to Fort Myers. There is daily boat service to Fort Myers and the settlements in Pine Island Sound.

Anchorage. Good anchorage for vessels of too great a draft to enter the bay can be found in 15 to 25 feet (4.6 to 7.6 m), sticky bottom, from 3 to 4 miles southeastward of Sanibel Island Lighthouse and near buoy 1. With northerly winds there is good anchorage under the southern end of Sanibel Island in 16 to 24 feet (4.9 to 7.3 m), with the lighthouse bearing anywhere between northeast and north by west. The anchorage off Punta Rasa is good, but the tidal currents at times have considerable velocity. There is a good anchorage along the shore of Sanibel Island inside the lighthouse. The currents have considerable velocity, but bottom with spots of good holding ground can be found. Off St. James City there is an excellent anchorage in 12 to 18 feet (3.7 to 5.5 m) with good holding ground. At this point the tidal currents have less velocity than at any of the other anchorages in San Carlos Bay.

Pilotage is not compulsory and there are no licensed pilots. Some competent person generally can be found at Punta Rasa to pilot vessels into the bay or up the Caloosahatchee River.

Storm warnings are displayed at Fort Myers.

Currents.-Slack water before the flood occurs about 2 hours before the time of high water at Key West, and slack water before the ebb