CHESAPEAKE BAY ENTRANCE

(Chart 1222)

The entrance to Chesapeake Bay leading between Cape Charles on the north and Cape Henry on the south is about 10 miles wide; the main channel leads along the south side and is broad and deep. The northern half of the entrance is obstructed by shoals through which several minor channels lead.

The channel south of Nautilus Shoal and between Fisherman Island and Inner Middle Ground, and thence through either North or Beach Channel, had a depth by the last survey of 24 feet (7.3 m), but with spots of 16 and 17 feet (4.9 and 5.2 m) close to its southern side. The shoals on the north side have shifted southward and it has become necessary to add two more buoys to mark the channel there. It is used by fish steamers and tugboats up to 12 feet (3.7 m) draft, but is not recommended for strangers.

The most prominent landmarks seen in approaching the entrance to Chesapeake Bay are Cape Charles Lighthouse and Cape Charles old tower on Smith Island, and a tank and several buildings on Fisherman Island, all on the north side; and Cape Henry, Cape Henry Lighthouse, Cape Henry old tower, and the Cavalier Hotel at Virginia Beach, on the south side. Cape Charles Lighthouse is described on page 122.

Cape Henry is a prominent bold range of sand hills 80 feet (24.4 m) high, with lower ones near the water. On the beach near the point of the cape is Cape Henry Lighthouse, and 340 feet southwestward of it is a white unused light tower; near the lighthouse are a stormwarning display station and a seacoast telegraph station of the United States Weather Bureau, from which vessels are reported to Norfolk and Baltimore, and with which they may communicate by the use of International code signals by day or the Morse code by night.

White spar mooring buoys, maintained by Virginia and Maryland pilot associations, are placed in 29 feet (8.8 m) and 35 feet (10.7 m) of water about 3/4 mile north-northwestward of Cape Henry Lighthouse.

Cape Henry Lighthouse is an octagonal pyramidal tower, upper and lower half of each face alternately black and white. The light is group flashing white (group of 3 flashes every 20 seconds), with a red sector between 155° true (S. by E. 34 E., mag.) and 233° true (SW. by W. 14 W. mag.), 157 feet (47.9 m) above the water, and visible 19 miles. The fog signal is an air oscillator, blast 3 seconds, silent 17 seconds repeated for 2 minutes. Every third minute signal is blast 1 second, silent 1 second, blast 5 seconds, following a silence of 53 seconds. Siren, blast 3 seconds, silent 17 seconds, if oscillator is disabled. The radiobeacon is equipped for distance finding (see p. 30).

Lynnhaven Roads, an open bight extending from 2 to 5 miles westward from Cape Henry Lighthouse, is sometimes used as an anchorage and is protected from southerly winds. Outside of the dumping ground area it has depth of 20 to 28 feet (6.1 to 8.5 m). The shoaling is abrupt eastward of Lynnhaven Inlet, and the 18-foot (5.5 m) curve lies nowhere more than 3% mile from shore. Westward of

the inlet the shoaling is gradual, and depths of 18 feet (5.5 m) can be found 34 mile from shore. The dumping ground in the western part of Lynnhaven Roads is of unknown depth. The area as established is indicated on the chart.

Lynnhaven Inlet, on the south side of Lynnhaven Roads, forms the approach to Lynnhaven Bay and several other shoal bays. It had a depth by the last survey of 212 feet (0.7 m) across the bar, but is subject to frequent change, and local knowledge is required to enter. The depths in the bays inside are 2 to 10 feet (0.6 to 3 m) and they are frequented by many small craft engaged in oystering and fishing. There are two drawbridges together at the entrance to Lynnhaven Inlet having a horizontal clearance of 30 feet between fenders and a vertical clearance of 4 feet (1.2 m) at high water when the draws are closed. Another drawbridge crosses Long Creek about 1 mile from the entrance having a horizontal clearance of 20 feet between fenders and a high water clearance of 5 feet (1.5 m) when the draw is closed.

Little Creek, 8 miles west of Cape Henry Lighthouse is a terminal of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co. for car ferries operating to Cape Charles. The entrance is between jetties, the outer ends of which are marked by lights. There is also a lighted range for entering. A fog whistle is located at the eastern jetty light (bell if whistle disabled). A lighted bell buoy lies 1 mile off the entrance. In December 1935 terminal officials reported that the controlling depth in the channel to the ferry slips was 18 feet (5.5 m). There are railway and highway connections with Norfolk. Northwest of Little Creek 34 of a mile is a fixed highway bridge with a 15-foot span and 6-foot (1.8 m) high water clearance.

HAMPTON ROADS AND ADJACENT PORTS

(Charts 1222, 400, and 452)

Hampton Roads, at the south end of Chesapeake Bay, 16 miles westward of Cape Henry, is the approach to Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, and points on the James River to Richmond, and is also one of the important anchorages on the east coast of the United States. A well-marked deep-water channel leads into Hampton Roads where there is secure anchorage for vessels of any draft.

The ports adjacent to Hampton Roads carry on a large business in coal, tobacco, grain, cotton, and other commodities, and have excellent terminal and railroad facilities. Shipbuilding and repair plants are available for all classes of ship construction and repair work.

Prominent objects. In approaching Hampton Roads the most prominent objects are: Thimble Shoal Lighthouse (red conical tower on pier); Old Point Comfort Lighthouse (white tower) Fort Wool (flashing light on north searchlight tower); the Chamberlain-Vanderbilt Hotel at Old Point Comfort (twin towers on colonial brick building); a low gray structure on the south side of the entrance abreast Old Point Comfort; and a large group of buildings at Ocean View, a summer resort on the beach, 4 miles southeastward of Old Point Comfort.

From inside the entrance may be seen: A tower, the high dome of the Soldiers' Home, and several chimneys at Hampton; a grain ele

vator at Newport News; Newport News Middle Ground Lighthouse (brown conical tower on pier); the piers and buildings of the naval base on the east side of the channel to Norfolk; the Virginian Railway coal piers; and a large grain elevator southward.

Channels. The approach from eastward is through Thimble Shoal Channel, which in September 1935 had a controlling depth of 382 feet (11.7 m) and a width of 750 feet, and is marked on both sides of the channel. The least depths outside of and near the dredged channel are about 27 feet (8.2 m) on the north side and 28 feet (8.5 m) on the south side. As an aid in thick weather in Thimble Shoal dredged channel, it is reported that soundings show hard bottom northward of the channel and soft bottom southward of the channel.

The following regulations prescribed by the Government restrict the use of this channel:

1. The use and navigation of Thimble Shoal Channel is hereby restricted to vessels of 20 feet draft or greater, to towboats with tows drawing 20 feet or more, and to passenger ships of less draft. (Reference to the draft of a vessel or tow refers to that at the time of navigating the channel.)

2. Vessels permitted to use Thimble Shoal Channel under section 1 of these regulations must proceed through channel at a reasonable speed such as not to endanger other vessels and not to interfere with any other work which may become necessary in maintaining, surveying, or buoying the channel; and they must not anchor in the channel, except in cases of emergency, such as fog or accident, which would render progress unsafe or impossible.

3. These regulations are not to be construed as prohibiting any necessary use of the channel by any Government boats while on Government duty, nor in emergencies by pilot boats, whether steam or sail, nor by police boats.

From the western end of Thimble Shoal Channel to the eastern end of Newport News Middle Ground the channel has ample width and depth. It is marked by Thimble Shoal and Old Point Comfort Lighthouses, the navigation light on the north searchlight tower of Fort Wool, and by several buoys, some of which are lighted.

Only one dredged channel is now being maintained around Newport News Middle Ground to Newport News. This straight channel northward of the Middle Ground connecting deep water in the James River with Hampton Roads had a controlling depth of 39 feet (11.9 m) in September 1934, the project depth. It is marked by red buoys (flashing red) on the north side and black buoys (flashing white) on the south side. The currents do not always set fair with the channel, especially with strong winds, and some trouble has been experienced at times by deep-draft vessels in keeping in the channel. The least depths outside of and near the dredged channel are 21 to 24 feet (6.4 to 7.3 m).

The area southward of Newport News Middle Ground is now utilized as an anchorage ground as shown on chart 400, and as described in the appendix, page 355. The old dredged channel here is no longer marked.

The dredged channel leading to Norfolk, Portsmouth and beyond had depths as follows:

Hampton Roads to the junction of Southern and Eastern Branches, 38 feet (11.2 m), February 1936; thence to point 2,000 feet below Belt Line Railroad Bridge, 39 feet (11.9 m), October 1935; thence to Belt Line Railroad Bridge, 32 feet (9.8 m), November 1935; thence to the Virginian Railway bridge 2812 feet (8.7 m), November 1935;

thence to 2,500 feet above the Norfolk & Western Railway bridge, 25 feet (7.6 m), August 1934. From here to the lock in the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal at Great Bridge, Va., the controlling depth was 11 feet (3.4 m).

In the Eastern Branch, between the mouth and the Norfolk and Berkley highway bridge, 25 feet (7.6 m); thence 24 feet (7.3 m) to the Norfolk and Western Railway bridge and 21 feet (6.4 m) to the Virginian Railway bridge in April 1934.

In the Western Branch, between the mouth and the West Norfolk bridge 16 feet (4.9 m); thence for 3,000 feet above this bridge 18 feet (5.5 m) in April 1934.

Anchorages. The anchorage areas, prescribed by the War Department, and enforced by the Captain of the Port of Hampton Roads (an officer of the U. S. Coast Guard with office in Norfolk), are described in the appendix, page 354. They are also shown in red on chart 400.

Quarantine.—All vessels subject to quarantine are inspected by the officers of the United States Public Health Service off Old Point Comfort. A quarantine anchorage there is shown on chart 400 and is described in the appendix to this volume.

Hospitals. There are many public and private hospitals at the larger cities. The most prominent of the public hospitals are as follows:

Norfolk, Va.-United States Marine Hospital, No. 82, Lafayette River; Hospital of St. Vincent De Paul, corner of Church and Wood Streets; Norfolk Protestant Hospital, corner Raleigh and Colley Avenues.

Portsmouth, Va.-The King's Daughters' Hospital, corner Chestnut and Leckie

Streets.

Newport News, Va.-Elizabeth Burton Hospital, on boulevard overlooking Hampton Roads; the Wittaker Memorial Hospital, corner of Twenty-ninth and Orcult Avenues; the Riverside Hospital.

Hampton, Va.-The Dixie Hospital.

Supplies of all kinds are obtainable at Newport News and Norfolk, and in limited quantities at Hampton and sometimes at Old Point Comfort. Water can be obtained at the wharves and from water boats. Bituminous coal can be had, through chutes, from the coal wharves at Newport News and the coal piers at Sewall Point and Lambert Point. Anthracite and bitiuminous coal can be obtained at the wharves in Norfolk or from lighters at the anchorage. Water, provisions, and ship chandlery will be delivered by boat to vessels in Hampton Roads.

For general Bridge Regulations see page 52 and for special regulations see the text.

Regulations for passing floating plant working in channels (such as dredges, survey boats, etc.) are given on page 347 in the appendix. Storm warnings are displayed at Cape Henry, Old Point Comfort, Newport News, and Norfolk. (See p. 38.)

Tides.-The mean range of tides in Hampton Roads is 2.5 feet. Daily predictions (Naval Base) are given in the Tide Tables published annually by the Coast and Geodetic Survey.

Currents. In the center of the channel southward of Old Point Comfort the slack water and strengths of flood and ebb current occur about 14 hours before the time of the corresponding slack waters and strengths at Chesapeake Bay entrance. The slack water before flood occurs about 2 hours after the time of low water at

Hampton Roads and the slack water before ebb occurs about 12 hours after high water at Hampton Roads. The average velocity of the current at strength of flood is about 134 knots and at strength of ebb about 2 knots; the currents, however, are influenced considerably by the wind and at times attain a velocity much in excess of these mean values. Along the wharves at Old Point Comfort the currents change about 1 hour earlier than in the center of the channel. In the center of the channel off the shipyard at Newport News the slack waters and the strengths of flood and ebb currents occur approximately 14 hour before the times of the corresponding slack waters and strengths at Chesapeake Bay entrance. The slack water before flood occurs about 3 hours before the time of high water at Hampton Roads, and the slack water before ebb occurs about 22 hours after the time of high water at Hampton Roads. The average velocity of the current at strength of flood is about 114 knots and at strength of ebb about 134 knots.

Ice seldom interferes with navigation in Hampton Roads for fullpowered vessels, even in severe weather.

Horseshoe is described under the heading Hampton Roads to York River. Thimble Shoal, with depths of 9 to 12 feet (2.7 to 3.6 m), forms the southern edge of the Horseshoe and the north side of the channel into Hampton Roads between Thimble Shoal Lighthouse and Old Point Comfort.

Old Point Comfort is a town and summer resort on the north side at the entrance to Hampton Roads. It has communication by railroad and electric road with Hampton and Newport News, with Norfolk by steamer, and with the west end of Willoughby Spit by ferry. Most of the steamers plying from Norfolk to points on Chesapeake Bay and tributaries land at Old Point Comfort, where there is a depth at the main wharf of about 25 feet (7.6 m). Gasoline, provisions, and water in small quanities are obtainable. Landing at the wharf is often rendered difficult by the strong tidal currents. The first of the ebb tide sets southeastward from the wharf and the last of the ebb sets directly on the wharf and northward through the opening eastward of Hampton Bar. The direction of the flood current is approximately west-southwestward.

Mother Hawkins Hole is an anchorage, with depths of 9 to 12 feet (2.7 to 3.6 m), much used by small local craft, on the west side of Old Point Comfort and north of the easterly end of Hampton Bar. The entrance is between the wharf at Old Point Comfort and the horizontally striped buoy close westward of it and has a depth of 18 feet (5.5 m).

A buoyed channel (Phoebus Channel) along the west shore of the Old Point Comfort peninsula also has its entrance between Old Point Comfort Wharf and the horizontally striped buoy. It has depths of 8 to 20 feet (2.4 to 6.1 m) and affords good anchorage for boats. A project provides for a depth of 12 feet (3.7 m) in this channel.

Mill Creek, inside of Old Point Comfort, has large areas bare at low water and several narrow channels. It is crossed by two fixed bridges at the mouth, under which small boats can pass. The vertical clearance through the bridges is 42 feet, the horizontal clearance 10 feet. The creek is little used.

Hampton Bar, with 1 to 5 feet (0.3 to 1.5 m) over it, extends from 100 yards to 2 miles west-southwestward from Old Point Comfort;