on the southwest side a berth of 1/2 mile until up to the red buoy at the entrance. Either course leads through an area of possible fish traps. Pass 100 yards southward of the buoy and steer northwestward into the river, passing northward of Persimmon Point Lighthouse (flashing white). There are only a few private marks above the entrance, but strangers should have no trouble in taking a draft of 6 feet (1.8 m.) for 5 miles by keeping in mid-channel and giving the point a good berth.

Baltimore Lighthouse (flashing white), on the western side at the entrance of the dredged channel leading to Baltimore, is a white octagonal house on brown pier.

PATAPSCO RIVER AND BALTIMORE HARBOR

[Charts 1226, 545, and 549]

Patapsco River, on the west side of Chesapeake Bay 136 miles above the entrance, is the approach to the city of Baltimore. The river is 312 miles wide at the mouth, but the entrance is obstructed by extensive shoals. A channel 35 feet (10.7 m.) deep and 600 feet wide has been dredged from the 35-foot (10.7 m.) depth southward of the entrance of the river to Fort McHenry, at the entrance of the basin at Baltimore, the total length of the dredged channel being 16 miles. The controlling depth to Baltimore was 35 feet (10.7 m.) in 1929. Craighill and Cutoff Channels lead through the shoals southward of the entrance to the river, and Brewerton and Fort McHenry Channels lead from the mouth of the river to Fort McHenry. The channels have been widened at the turns and two anchorage basins 600 feet wide and 35 feet (10.7 m.) deep have been dredged on the southwest side of the Fort McHenry Channel.

Bodkin Point, on the south side at the entrance, is low and covered with scattered trees. A chimney in Bodkin Creek is prominent. A shoal extends northward from the point to the edge of the dredged channel.

Bodkin Creek, just westward of Bodkin Point, has a depth of 11 feet (3.3 m.) at the entrance and 7 to 9 feet (2.1 to 2.7 m.) inside for a considerable distance into all of its three branches. The channel at the entrance is very narrow and leads between extensive shoals. It is marked by buoys as far as the fork, and the narrowest part of the channel at the entrance is also usually marked by bush stakes. The chimney of a garbage disposal plant on the point between Main Creek and Back Creek is prominent. The draft of boats using the creek does not usually exceed 6 feet (1.8 m.), and strangers should not enter with a greater draft. From the black spar buoy at the outer end of Rock Point Shoal a 138° true (SE. % S. mag.) course for 211⁄2 miles will lead to the outer buoy. In entering, be guided by the buoys and bush stakes, leaving them at a distance of about 25 yards.

North Point, on the north side of Patapsco River at the entrance, is wooded and marked by a large and a small water tank. A recreation park just eastward of the entrance to Shallow Creek is marked by a pier with pavilion at the end.

Old Road Bay, just westward of North Point, has a depth of 7 to 14 feet (2.1 to 4.2 m.). A rock, nearly bare at low water, near the

middle of the entrance is marked by a horizontally striped buoy, and above this point the only mark is a black buoy on the point of shoal east off Cut-off Channel rear range light.

North Point Creek and Jones Creek, emptying into the bay from northward, have depths of 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m.), but are unmarked and frequented only by small produce and pleasure boats. The bridges crossing both creeks near their entrances have draw openings 40 feet wide.

Sparrows Point, a town on the north side 214 miles west-northwestward of North Point, is the site of large iron and steel works and a shipbuilding plant. Several factory buildings and many chimneys and tanks are prominent. A channel, dredged to a depth of 36 feet (11 m.) and marked by a lighted range and buoys, leads to the wharves on the south side on a 354° true (N. 1% E. mag.) course. Channels have also been dredged to several wharves on the west side. The depths in these are from 20 to 23 feet (6.1 to 7.0 m.), and they are well marked. Sparrows Point is the terminus of a railroad.

Bear Creek, just westward of Sparrows Point, has a depth outside of the dredged channels leading to the docks at Sparrows Point of 12 feet (3.6 m.) for 311⁄2 miles above the entrance. The principal shoals for a distance of 111⁄2 miles above the entrance are marked by buoys. There are no marks above, and the shoals extend for a considerable distance from many of the points. The creek is frequented principally by small produce and pleasure boats. There are no wharves except for small boats. Two bridges, each having centerpier draws, cross the creek just above the entrance; the least width of opening is 68 feet and least high-water clearance is 5 feet. A proposed bridge is to cross the creek from just south of Long Point to the opposite side. A highway bridge having a draw opening crosses the creek 214 miles above the entrance.

The main entrance to the creek is just north of gas and bell buoy No. 4 M in the dredged channel. Thence up the channel on the lighted range, course 38° true (NE. mag.), to buoys Nos. 5 and 6, thence either to the docks at the north end of Sparrows Point or to the draw span of the first bridge.

Humphreys Creek, a tributary of Bear Creek just above the lower bridges, has a depth of 13 feet (3.9 m.) in the entrance and 7 feet (2.1 m.) in mid-channel for 11/4 miles.

Rock Creek, on the south side of Patapsco River 4 miles above Bodkin Point, has a depth of 11 feet (3.3 m.) to near the head, except at the narrows westward of Fairview, where the channel has a depth of 8 feet (2.4 m.) and width of only 75 to 100 feet. The channel at this point is marked by buoys, and the mid-channel is clear above. A rock with 5 feet (1.5 m.) over it lies just west of the red buoy at the narrows.

White Rocks, on the eastern side of the entrance to the creek, show about 15 feet (4.5 m.) above high water, and are prominent when entering from eastward. Boats of 6 feet (1.8 m.) or more draft should pass northward of them. The creek is frequented by many pleasure boats in summer. Gasoline may be obtained at Fairview. To enter Rock Creek from northwestward, a 160° true (S. by E. 1 E. mag.) course from the black gas buoy at the intersection of Brewerton and Fort McHenry Channels will lead to the red buoy on the

western side at the entrance. From there favor the western shore to the narrows and be guided by the buoys, leaving them close-to.

Stony Creek, 1 mile northwestward of Rock Creek, has a depth of 10 to 14 feet (3 to 4.2 m.) to near the head, and the same depth to near the head of Nabbs Creek, the principal tributary. The entrance is obstructed by shoals, the one extending westward from Stony Point having several rocks bare at all times. The channel around the western end of this shoal has a depth of 15 feet (4.5 m.) and width of 70 yards and is marked by buoys. Above this point the mid-channel is clear to the head. Steamers from Baltimore of 6 to 72 feet (1.8 to 2.2 m.) draft are the deepest entering. The creek has several landings and summer resorts and is frequented by many pleasure boats in summer. A highway bridge having a center-pier draw, each opening 50 feet wide, with a headroom of 6 feet (1.8 m.) at high water, crosses it 3/4 mile above the entrance. Gasoline may be obtained from a wharf above the bridge.

Fort Carroll is a stone and concrete structure with Fort Carroll Light (flashing white) white structure, on the southwest side. The center of Fort McHenry Channel leads 400 yards southwestward of the light.

Hawkins Point is marked by a water tank and a large pile of slab. Leading Point is the site of the quarantine station. A buoyed channel leads to the quarantine wharf in Thomas Cove.

Curtis Bay and Curtis Creek, on the southwest side of Patapsco River 134 miles west-northwestward of Fort Carroll, are the approaches to large coal and oil wharves and several industrial plants at South Baltimore, and to the Coast Guard depot on Arundel Cove. A channel 250 feet wide and 332 feet (10 m.) deep, with a turning basin at the head, has been dredged from the main channel of Patapsco River across Curtis Bay to the wharves at South Baltimore, where are located the coal piers of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, having a depth of 28 to 34 feet (8.5 to 10.3 m.) alongside, and several other wharves with depths of 25 to 35 feet (7.6 to 10.6 m.). The channel is marked by buoys on each side and a lighted range, which is hard to pick up during the day.

Curtis Creek has a natural depth of 20 feet (6.1 m.) to abreast the entrance of Arundel Cove, 134 miles above South Baltimore, and 16 feet (4.8 m.) for a farther distance of 2 miles into Marley Creek. A highway bridge having a center pier draw, with a headroom of 5 feet (1.5 m.) at high water eastward of the draw, crosses the creek 34 mile above the head of Curtis Bay. The channel above Curtis Bay has ample width and is easily followed with the aid of the chart. Shoals extend southeastward from Ferry Point on the north side of Cabin Branch, and northwestward from Walnut Point just below the bridge; except at these points the mid-channel is clear for 3 miles above Curtis Bay. A channel dredged to 24 feet (7.3 m.) leads from just above the drawbridge to the piers opposite Arundel Cove, but there are depths of less than 19 feet (5.8 m.) to the docks.

Cabin Branch, on the west side of Curtis Creek just above South Baltimore, has a depth of 14 feet (4.2 m.) to a fixed bridge, 11 feet wide in the openings, 3 mile above the entrance. There are depths of 14 to 18 feet (4.2 to 5.5 m.) at the industrial wharves on the north

side. In entering, vessels should pass southward of the buoy marking the end of the shoal extending south-southwestward from Ferry Point, and head in on a 293° true (NW. by W. % W. mag.) course through the dredged channel to the wharves, thence favoring the northern side to the bridge.

Arundel Cove is the site of the Coast Guard depot. There is a depth of 17 feet (5.1 m.) at the wharf just outside the cove, and 16 feet (4.8 m.) to the wharves inside. The entrance to the cove is marked by several buoys.

To enter Curtis Bay, pass southward of gas buoy No. 7M and buoy No. 2A, and steer 267° true (W. % N. mag.) in the Curtis Bay channel, leaving the buoys at a distance of 50 yards; the coal piers and a brick chimney at South Baltimore will be ahead on this course. There is a lighted range ahead on this course, but it is hard to see in the day. Anchorage can be had eastward or east-northeastward of the coal piers in depths of 24 to 30 feet (7.3 to 9.1 m.), being careful to give the north shore a berth of 300 yards, or in mid-channel southward of the coal piers in depths of 23 to 26 feet (7 to 7.9 m.). If bound up Curtis Creek, pass midway between Sledds Point and the ends of the coal piers, favor the eastern side of Curtis Creek until past Ferry Point, then the western side to the bridge. Pass through either side of the draw and eastward of the red buoy just southward of it and follow a general mid-channel course above. An 18-foot (5.5 m.) spot lies 200 yards true north of buoy No. 12, off Stahl Point.

Colgate Creek, on the north side of Patapsco River, northeastward of Curtis Bay, has a depth of 6 feet (1.8 m.) in a narrow channel to a drawbridge (headroom-6 feet), 3/4 mile above the entrance. A bridge having a draw opening 40 feet wide and a headroom of 4 feet crosses the creek at the entrance. The draw will be opened on a signal of three blasts at any time between 6 a. m. and 6 p. m. from December to March, inclusive, and at any time between 6 a. m. and 10 p. m. during the remainder of the year. Point Breeze, on the west side of the entrance, is a pleasure park, and has several prominent buildings. Enter Colgate Creek between buoys Nos. 1 and 6 and pass close eastward of No. 1, heading just outside of Dundalk wharves. From abreast of the wharves steer for the draw span of the bridge.

The Northwest Branch of Patapsco River, also known as The Basin, forms the main part of Baltimore Harbor. The entrance leads between Fort McHenry on the west and Lazaretto Point on the east. Fort McHenry is on a point, marked on the east side by Fort McHenry Lighthouse (flashing white), steel skeleton tower. Lazaretto Point is marked by Lazaretto Point Lighthouse (fixed red), white skeleton tower. Northwest Branch has depths of 20 to 35 feet (6.1 to 10.7 m.) in the eastern end and 21 feet (6.4 m.) to the head, with a few areas of less depth near the shores. The best water favors the southwest side from the entrance to Locust Point, and the northeast side from Locust Point to the head. There are depths of 16 to 35 feet (4.8 to 10.7 m.) at the principal wharves. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad wharves, extending from Fort McHenry northwestward for 4 mile, have depths of 20 to 36 feet (6.1 to 11.0 m.)

and the Pennsylvania Railroad wharves, northward of Lazaretto Point, have depths of 27 to 35 feet (8.2 to 10.7 m.). The wharves along the western side at the head of the harbor are used by passenger and freight steamers to points on Chesapeake Bay. The wharves from the northwest corner of the harbor eastward to Jones Falls are municipal wharves and have depths of 19 to 22 feet (5.8 to 6.7 m.) alongside, the three easterly ones being public wharves and used for the discharge of lumber, sea food, and produce.

Middle Branch of Patapsco River, also called Spring Garden Channel, extends from southward of Fort McHenry westward and northward for a distance of 3 miles. It has been improved by dredging. Ferry Bar Channel, marked by a lighted range and buoys, leads westward through the middle of the branch, with a depth of 34 feet (10.3 m.) in May, 1929, for 1 mile. At this point a dredged channel with 35 feet (10.7 m.) leads northwestward to the Western Maryland Railway piers. Ferry Bar Channel continues westward with 29 feet (8.8 m.) depth to Ferry Bar Point, thence 27 feet (8.2 m.) deep through Hanover Street bridge and Old Spring Garden Channel. These channels are all well marked by buoys. Another channel, also well marked, leads from the entrance to Ferry Bar Channel, to the dredged area in front of the Western Maryland Railway piers. It has a controlling depth along the center line of 25 feet (7.6 m.). A dredged channel leads from just above the Hanover Street bridge to the docks in Smith Cove and has a depth of 12 feet (3.6 m.). The principal wharves have depths of 11 to 35 feet (3.3 to 10.7 m.), the deepest draft being found at the Western Maryland Railroad wharves (Port Covington). The channel is used by many barges, large schooners, and steamers.

Directions, Ferry Bar Channel.-Enter between gas buoy No. 3 and buoy No. 2, passing up the channel on a 270° true (W. 5% N. mag.) course between the buoys, range ahead, to east of the front range light, then 298° true (NW. % W. mag.) to the draw span of Hanover Street Bridge, then 316° true (NW. 34 N. mag.) through Spring Garden Channel, passing close southward of buoy No. 4 to between buoys Nos. 6 and 9, then steer 4° true (N. by E. mag.) through the draw span of the railroad bridge and on to the head of navigation.

To go to the wharves of the Western Maryland Railroad Co., Port Covington, leave Ferry Bar Channel between a horizontally striped buoy and gas buoy No. 6, and steer northwesterly, being guided by the buoys.

Middle Branch is crossed by two bridges. Hanover Street Bridge, 3 mile above Ferry Bar Point, has a draw opening 150 feet wide and a headroom of 33 feet at high water. Western Maryland Railroad bridge, 1 mile above Hanover Street Bridge, has a centerpier draw, each opening 83.5 feet wide, with a headroom of 8 feet at high water when closed. The draw of the Hanover Street Bridge will be opened upon notice by 3 blasts of a whistle or horn blown on the vessel at any time between 5 a. m. and 9 p. m. At any other time notice of intention to pass through the draw should be given the superintendent of the bridge by telephone or otherwise, either at the bridge before 9 p. m. or at his residence thereafter.