the time of low water at Washington, and slack before ebb about the time of high water. The average strength of flood or ebb is approximately 1 knot. At Washington.-In Virginia Channel the average current at strength of ebb is about 1/2 knot. There is seldom a flood current. In Washington Channel there is practically no current. In the Anacostia River the current is irregular with an average strength on flood and ebb of less than 11⁄2 knot. Courses and Distances-Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay to Washington NOTE.-Kettle Bottom Shoals consist generally of small lumps of hardpan, with deep water close to, and the lead will not serve as a guide to avoid them; there is often a pocket of slightly deeper water around the lumps than is found near by. The area has been closely surveyed, but there are probably lumps which were not found with the lead. They occupy a stretch of the river about 8 miles long, above Wicomico River. The straight channel across the shoals has been dredged to a depth of 24 feet (7.3 m) at mean low water and is marked by buoys. 5. Between Kettle Bottom Channel Lighted Buoy 9 KB and Buoy 10 KB. Passing south of buoy 20, marking a 19-foot (5.8 m) spot, and close aboard MidChannel Buoy F: Direct.. 295 NW. by W. % W. 8.5 115 SE. by E. E.......... 8.5 Courses and Distances-Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay to Washington-Con. Reverse (same light astern). 10. Port Tobacco River Flats Light bearing Direct (Riverside Wharf Light ahead). 11. Riverside Wharf Light bearing 255° true, Direct__. Reverse_-_ Reverse (same buoy astern). ST. JEROME CREEK (Charts 557 and 1224) St. Jerome Creek is on the western side of Chesapeake Bay 5 miles north of Point Lookout and 211⁄2 miles 253° true (W. % S. mag.) from Point No Point Lighthouse. It is shoal and of little importance; some oysters, wood, and farm products are shipped in lightdraft vessels, but it is principally used as an anchorage for small craft engaged in oystering and fishing. The channel is subject to change. There are a buoy and two beacons in the entrance and a light on Deep Point, the south entrance point. There are a store and post office at the landing on Otter Point, just inside the entrance. The controlling depth in the entrance channel to this landing is 4 feet (1.2 m) and the general depths in the creek are 4 to 7 feet (1.2 to 2.1 m) as shown on the chart. The channel between the two points is bush staked. The entrance to the south branch of the creek between Otter Point and Deep Point is nearly bare at low water, and this shoal extends northward of the line joining the points. PATUXENT RIVER Patuxent River on the western side of Chesapeake Bay, 87 miles above the entrance and 64 miles below Baltimore, has a depth of 30 feet (9.1 m) into the entrance and 23 feet (7 m) to Benedict, 12 feet (3.7 m) to Jones Point, 9 feet (2.7 m) to Lyons Creek Wharf, and 7 feet (2.1 m) to Bristol Landing, at distances of 182, 28, 36, and 40 miles, respectively, above Drum Point at the entrance. It is buoyed to Jones Point. The mouth of the river forms a secure anchorage for vessels of any draft and is extensively used. A steamer from Baltimore connects with Solomons at the river mouth. The river and its tributaries are also frequented by schooners and a few barges carrying wood products, and in the lower end by vessels engaged in the oystering and fishing industry. Cedar Point Lighthouse, on the end of the point on the south side at the entrance is a flashing light on a white wooden tower. A water tank back of the point is prominent. Storms have washed through the neck of land, and the site of the lighthouse is now an island. The entrance to the river is easy of access either by day or by night for vessels of 24 feet (7.3 m) draft without a pilot, and vessels of 28 feet (8.5 m) can enter by following the directions on page 241. The channel between the entrance and Benedict is narrow in places but is comparatively straight except off Point Patience, and the most prominent shoals are marked. Strangers should have little trouble in taking a draft of 20 feet (6.1 m) to Benedict in the daytime with the aid of the chart. Above Benedict the channel is narrow in places and obstructed by shoals and is not sufficiently well marked to be followed by strangers. The most prominent mark in approaching Patuxent River from southward is the tall tank on Cedar Point, and from northward is Cove Point Lighthouse (flashing white) and the high bluffs at Little Cove Point, 11/2 miles southward. In the entrance the most prominent marks are Drum Point Lighthouse (fixed white, three red sec |