Towboats can be had at Hampton Roads, and there is a municipalowned tug for assistance in Richmond Harbor.

Ice.-There is some drift ice in the river during severe winters, and at times the river is frozen over, interrupting navigation for a few days. Navigation to Richmond is hardly ever suspended more than 2 days at one time on account of ice.

Tides. The mean rise and fall of tides is 2.5 feet in Hampton Roads, 2.8 feet at Hopewell, 3.4 feet at Dutch Gap, and 3.7 feet at Richmond.

Currents. The currents follow the general direction of the channel except between Hog Island and Jamestown Island, where they set across Goose Hill Flats. Their velocities are variable; in the lower reaches the flood current approximately equals the ebb in velocity; the main counteracting effect on the flood is the freshet current. The times of slack water also vary to a considerable extent, due principally to freshets, especially in the upper reaches of the river. The strength of current and the times of slack water in the following list are for normal conditions, and under abnormal conditions may differ, therefore, sometimes to a considerable extent.

Currents, James River.-Off Hog Point. In the center of the channel the slack waters and the strengths of flood and ebb occur about 14 hours after the time of the corresponding slack waters and strengths at Chesapeake Bay entrance. The slack water before flood occurs about 1 hour before the time of the high water at Hampton Roads and the slack water before ebb occurs about 2 hours before the time of low water at Hampton Roads. The average velocity of the current at strength of flood is about 1 knot and at strength of ebb about 111⁄2 knots.

Off Claremont Landing.-The slack waters and the strengths of flood and ebb currents occur about 234 hours after the time of the corresponding slack waters and strengths at Chesapeake Bay entrance. The slack water before flood occurs about the time of high water at Hampton Roads and the slack water before ebb occurs about 1 hour before the time of low water at Hampton Roads. The average velocity of the current at strength of flood or ebb is about 112 knots.

Off Wilcox Wharf.-The slack waters and the strengths of flood and ebb current occur about 314 hours after the times of the corresponding slack waters and strengths of current at Chesapeake Bay entrance. The slack water before flood occurs about 12 hour after the time of high water at Hampton Roads and the slack water before ebb occurs about the time of low water at Hampton Roads. The usual velocity at strength of flood or ebb is about 114 knots.

Off Hopewell. The slack waters and strengths of flood and ebb occur about 4 hours after the time of the corresponding slack waters and strengths at Chesapeake Bay entrance. The slack water before flood occurs 14 hour before about 1 hour after the time of high water at Hampton Roads and the slack water before ebb occurs about 14 hour after the time of low water at Hampton Roads. The approximate average velocity of the current at strength of flood is 114 knots and at strength of ebb 111⁄2 knots.

Above Hopewell the velocity of the current and times of slack water are variable. At Richmond the currents are chiefly nontidal.

HAMPTON ROADS TO YORK RIVER

(Charts 1222 and 494)

Horseshoe is a shoal with depths less than 18 feet (5.5 m), which extends 6 miles from the shore between Old Point Comfort and Back River Lighthouse, its southern edge bordering the north side of the channel into Hampton Roads. This shoal has depths of 13 to 18 feet (4.0 to 5.5 m) over its eastern half; its western half has a least depth of 8 feet (2.4 m) if the shore be given a berth of 11⁄2 mile, but there are depths of 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2.1 m) 3/4 to 1 mile southeastward of Back River Lighthouse. The eastern extension is marked by a lighted bell buoy.

Local steamers and small craft of 7 feet (2.1 m) or less draft, with a smooth sea, plying between Hampton Roads, York River, and Mobjack Bay, use routes leading across the fish-trap area off Old Point Comfort, varying the courses according to the locations of the traps. A clear channel between fish-trap limits is as follows:

Courses and Distances—Hampton Roads to York River

1 A wreck marked by a lighted buoy lies 2.1 miles 139° true from Back River Tower. (March 1937.)

Approaches to York River from the northward.-Vessels of 15 feet (4.6 m) or less draft from northward may enter the main channel through a side channel between the fish net stake buoys west of New Point Comfort Middle Ground, passing 0.2 mile southeast of fish net stake buoy 27 W., and steering a 225° true (SW: 12 W. mag.) course to a junction with the main-channel course, 1/4 mile southwest of lighted bell buoy 2.

Buckroe Beach is a summer resort on the shore 22 miles northnortheastward of Old Point Comfort Lighthouse. It has communication by electric road with Old Point Comfort, Hampton, and Newport News. The lights at night during the summer are prominent. Back River, having its entrance 62 miles north-northeastward of Old Point Comfort, has a depth of about 9 feet (2.7 m) across the bar at the entrance and 7 feet (2.1 m) to abreast Amorys Wharf (Earnest post office), which is on the north side at the intersection of Northwest and Southwest Branch. There is a depth of 8 feet (2.4 m) at the wharf, but the controlling depth to the wharf is 7 feet (2.1 m) passing just west of stump piling and submerged oyster shell spoil which are about 200 feet southeast of the end of the wharf. Gasoline may be obtained at the wharf and general supplies 1/2 mile up the road. There is telephone communication. Two large hangars and a water-tank at Langley Field, on the peninsula between Northwest Branch and Southwest Branch, are very prominent for many miles. Flashing flood lights on the water tank are shown at night when airplanes are expected.

Northwest Branch has a depth of 6 feet (1.8 m) for 3/4 mile above the entrance and 2 feet (0.6 m) to near the head. Southwest Branch has a depth of 4 feet (1.2 m) for 11⁄2 miles, above which it shoals rapidly. For about a mile northwest and the same distance southwest of Willoughby Point, to off Langley Field boathouse, there is reported to be a dredged channel along the shore about 25 feet (7.6 m) deep made in filling swamp land for the flying field. It is bush staked but local knowledge is required. About 1/4 mile northeast of the tank there is a red light on the end of a large water level pipeline extending offshore about 400 feet. A new fixed concrete bridge with 39-foot span between fenders and high water clearance of 6 feet (1.8 m) is about 1/2 miles southwest of Willoughby Point. Just above this about 100 feet is a street railway fixed bridge with 14foot span and 6 feet (1.8 m) vertical clearance. It is reported that 4 feet (1.2 m) can be carried for about 2 miles beyond the bridges in a narrow channel.

Harrison Creek, on the south side of Back River, has a depth of 3 feet (0.9 m) for 34 mile; Fox Hill is a village on the east side near its head.

Back River is the center of a large oystering and fishing industry, and is also frequented by many produce boats, the deepest draft being 7 feet (2.1 m). Back River Lighthouse (flashing white), white tower showing against the trees, and a wharf and house on the western end of Northend Point are the most prominent marks in the approach. The main channel is narrow in places, but is marked by buoys and lights and is easily followed with the aid of the chart. The tributaries are unmarked. The shore and shoals near the entrance are subject to some change. A channel 800 yards wide and marked by black and white buoys is kept clear of fish traps in the

approach, the south edge of this channel extending from the black buoy at the entrance through the perpendicularly striped bell buoy lying 2 miles eastward of Back River Lighthouse. The mean rise and fall of tides at the mouth is 2.4 feet.

There are shoals, covered with scattered oyster rocks nearly bare at low water, extending from 1 to 2 miles offshore between Back River and Poquoson River entrances. Strangers, even in small boats, should keep outside of the 6-foot (1.8 m) curve.

Poquoson River, on the south side of York River entrance, westward of York Spit Lighthouse, has a depth of 7 feet (2.1 m) to the village of Yorkville, and 2 feet (0.6 m) to near the heads of all its tributaries. The river is frequented by small produce boats and a few schooners and barges loading wood, the deepest draft being 9 feet (2.7 m): There are no wharves on the main branch except for small boats. The channel leading to Poquoson River entrance is clear of fish traps for a width of 400 yards. It extends in an approximate southwest direction from York Spit bell buoy 2A and is marked by two buoys with white and black horizontal bands. The mean range of tides at the mouth is 2.4 feet.

Bennett Creek, on the southeast side, at the entrance of Poquoson River has a depth of 6 feet (1.8 m) for 11⁄4 miles above the entrance and is marked by a light, and by buoys for 34 mile. There is a marine railway near the head, in the branch leading south and easterly of the red and black horizontally striped buoy, capable of hauling out boats of 75 tons and 6 feet (1.8 m) draft. Áll kinds of small boat repairs are done. Opposite the railway gasoline can be obtained at a small wharf. A post office is at Jeffs about a mile from the wharf and provisions are available.

Cheeseman Creek, on the north side of Poquoson River, just inside the entrance, has a depth of 6 feet (1.8 m) in a narrow channel for 2 miles, and 3 feet (0.9 m) nearly to the head. It is unmarked. There is an old red fish factory on the northeast side 1/2 mile westnorthwestward of York Point, with a submerged wharf piling extending to the 7-foot (2.1 m) depth curve. Gasoline and some provisions from Dare, one mile inland, can be obtained near the head of the creek, and there is a railway reported capable of hauling out boats of 100 feet length and 10-foot (3.0 m) draft on the south side of the creek about one mile above Ship Point.

Back Creek, having its entrance 2 miles southward of Tue Marshes Lighthouse, has a depth of 8 feet (2.4 m) to abreast Slaights wharf, now piling only above high water, on the south side westward of Clarkston Creek, and 2 feet (0.6 m) to near the head. The most prominent mark is an old dilapidated fish factory with pilings of a wharf in ruins on the south end of Goodwin Islands. The creek is frequented by fish steamers of 9 feet (2.7 m) or less draft, and by many smaller oyster and produce boats. A marine railway capable of hauling out small boats up to 70-foot length and 7-foot (2.1 m) draft is located about 1/4 mile above Slaights wharf (in ruins). Deck and engine repairs can be made. Gasoline, Diesel oil, and some provisions are obtainable from the small shipyard wharf. Seaford, formerly called Crabneck, 1/2 mile inland is the post office. The channel is marked by buoys and two lights as far as the entrance to Clarkston Creek. A 269° true (W. 12 N. mag.) course with York Spit Lighthouse astern will lead to the first red buoy.

The Thoroughfare, connecting Back Creek with York River westward of Goodwin Islands, had a controlling depth in 1935 of 11⁄2 feet (0.5 m) for a width of 15 feet and is extensively used by small local boats. The channel is usually marked by bush stakes, but is difficult without local knowledge. The Thoroughfare will be improved by dredging to a depth of 7 feet (2.1 m).

YORK RIVER

(Charts 492, 494, 495, and 504)

York River, formed by the junction of Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers at West Point, 35 miles above the entrance, has a broad and comparatively straight channel with a least depth in June, 1936, of 1912 feet (5.9 m) to West Point, and 14 feet (4.3 m) in the basin there. It is marked by lights and buoys and is easily followed by day with the aid of the chart.

The river has some trade, carried mostly in the regular steamers from Baltimore and in schooners and barges. The deepest draft ordinarily taken to West Point is 15 feet (4.6 m). The tributaries have a large trade in wood products carried in schooners and barges. York Spit Swash, the slough loading through York Spit 5 miles northwestward of York Spit Lighthouse and 14 miles southeastward of the marshy islands between York River and Mobjack Bay, had a least depth of 8 feet (2.4 m) by the last survey, and is used by local vessels up to 7 feet (2.1 m) draft. It is marked by lighted buoys and a light but strangers should proceed with caution. On a bright day the channel shows up well.

Monday Creek is described under Mobjack Bay.

Sedger Creek (Perrin River), on the north side, 2 miles northwestward of Tue Marshes Lighthouse has a depth of 8 feet (2.4 m) from the entrance to the inner beacon, a pole with flashing red light on it. From this beacon, 61⁄2 feet (2.0 m) can be carried in the narrow channel to Brown's Wharf at the bend, 3⁄4 mile above the entrance. There is a store at the wharf where gasoline, Diesel oil, provisions, and fishermen's supplies are obtainable. The post office is inland about 1/2 mile at Perrin. There are a marine railway, capable of hauling out a 100-foot boat with 9-foot (2.7 m) draft, and a machine shop adjoining the wharf. The channel is marked by lights and buoys. The red sector of Tue Marshes Light covers the entrance. Local fishermen may be obtained to pilot strangers. It is reported that with local knowledge 9 feet (2.7 m) can be taken as far as the marine railway.

Wormley Creek and West Branch, on the south side, 4 miles westward of Tue Marshes Lighthouse, have a common entrance with a depth of 4 feet (1.2 m) across the bar and 2 feet (0.6 m) in both creeks nearly to the heads. They are little used except by oyster boats. Callis wharf with 6 feet (1.8 m) alongside is 1/2 mile from the entrance on the west side of Wormley Creek. Boats drawing 3 feet (0.9 m) use this creek.

A naval fuel-oil dock, with 30 feet (9.1 m) of water alongside, is located on the York River about 3/4 mile westward of Wormley Creek.

Sarah Creek, on the north side, 1 mile eastward of Gloucester Point, has a depth of about 7 feet (2.1 m) in the entrance and for a short