Magothy River, westward of Baltimore Lighthouse, has a depth of 13 feet (4.0 m) at the entrance and for a distance of 51⁄2 miles above, but has many shoal spits and middle grounds of less depth close to the channel. The usual draft of boats using it is 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) and deepest draft 10 feet (3.0 m). There are no wharves except for small craft. Deep Creek, on the south side just inside the entrance, has a depth of 7 to 9 feet (2.1 to 2.7 m) in midchannel and is sometimes used as an anchorage for small craft. Mountain Point, on the north side at the entrance, is a high, wooded bluff with a bare sandy point outside of it. A privately marked channel with 12 feet (3.7 m) of water, leads into Magothy Narrows east of the middle ground in Tar Cove. (Eastward of Holland Point there is a speed limit of 8 miles per hour.) The Gibson Island Yacht Club on the north side of the island of that name is reached through the above channel. There are many excellent anchorages for small boats in the numerous tributaries to Magothy River, and this locality is a favorite cruising ground for local yachts. The wreck about 220 yards southeast of Magothy River Light is covered at high water, and caution is necessary. Gasoline and supplies can be obtained at several places in the river. There is a marine railway for small boat repairs in Cypress Creek near the upper end of the river.

The entrance to Magothy River is narrow, but is marked. Approaching the entrance from northward, a 243° true (SW. 34 W. mag.) course from buoy 5C on the Craighill Channel will lead 1/2 mile northwestward of Baltimore Lighthouse and to the buoy at the entrance. Approaching from southward, strangers should pass eastward of Sandy Point Lighthouse and give the shore 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 Magothy River Light (flashing white). There are three buoys between Ulmsteads Point and South Ferry Point, and beacons in the Cypress Creek entrance.

Baltimore Lighthouse (flashing white, dim sector), on the western side at the entrance of the dredged channel leading to Baltimore, is a white octagonal house on brown pier. Fog signal is a bell, one stroke every 30 seconds.

PATAPSCO RIVER AND BALTIMORE HARBOR

(Charts 545, 549, and 1226)

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 32 miles wide at the mouth, but the entrance is obstructed by extensive shoals. The main channel extends from the 37-foot (11.3 m) curve in Chesapeake Bay near Sandy Point, to Fort McHenry at the junction of the Northwest Harbor and Ferry Bar Channel of the Patapsco River at Baltimore. The channel is about 17 miles long. In 1935 there was a controlling depth of 37 feet (11.3 m) in the main channel from its lower end to Sparrows Point Channel and a controlling depth of 33.3 feet (10.2 m) to Ferry Bar Channel entrance. Craighill and Cutoff Channels, sections of the main channel, 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 three anchorage basins about 33 feet (10.1 m) deep in 1935 have been dredged on the sides of the Fort McHenry Channel. The project provides for a channel 37 feet (11.3 m) deep and 600 feet wide to Sparrows Point Channel and thence 35 feet (10.7 m) deep and 600 feet wide to Fort McHenry. For depths in the branch channels leading from the main channel to Sparrows Point, Curtis Bay, Ferry Bar, Middle Branch, and Northwest Harbor (The Basin) see pages 249 to 253. For depth in Chesapeake Bay from the bay entrance to Patapsco River, see page 138.

The old extension of the Brewerton Channel, leading directly into the bay, has a depth of about 17 feet (5.2 m) and is used by local vessels.

Directions, Patapsco River.-A table of courses leading from Chesapeake Bay entrance to Baltimore is given on page 146.

Bodkin Point, on the south side at the entrance, is low and cov ered with scattered trees. 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 (3.4 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 smokestack of a garbage disposal plant on the point between Main Creek and Back Creek is prominent from the bay. The draft of boats using the creek does not usually exceed 6 feet (1.8 m), and strangers entering should be cautious with a greater draft. From the black spar buoy at the outer end of Rock Point Shoal a 137° true (SE. % S. mag.) course for 212 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. The railway crossing this creek is in ruins.

Old Road Bay, just westward of North Point, has a depth of 7 to 14 feet (2.1 to 4.3 m). A rock, nearly bare at low water, near the middle of the entrance is marked by a red nun buoy with white reflector, and above this point the only mark is a black buoy on the point of shoal east of 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 and clearances at high water when closed of 312 feet (1.1 m). There is a marine railway for small boat repairs in the latter creek.

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 dredged channel, with a controlling depth in 1933 of 33 feet (10.1 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 controlling depths in these are from 20 to 22 feet (6.1 to 6.7 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 (3.7 m) for 32 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, close together, each having center-pier draws, across the creek just above the entrance; the least width of opening is 812 feet and least high-water clearance is 512 feet (1.7 m) when draw is closed. Three additional bridges cross the creek, as follows: South of Long Point, Lynch Cove and Schoolhouse Cove, respectively, with least spans 129, 80 and 68 feet respectively, and least high water clearance when closed of 15 feet (4.6 m), 9 feet (2.7 m) and 412 feet (1.4 m) respectively. There is a marine railway and repair yard in Peach Orchard Creek capable of hauling out boats 80 feet long and 9 feet (2.7 m) draft.

The main entrance to the creek is just north of lighted bell buoy 4 M in the dredged channel. Thence up the channel on the lighted range, course 38° true (NE. 1% E. mag.), to buoys 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 (4.0 m) in the entrance and 7 feet (2.1 m) in mid-channel for 114 miles. There is a fixed bridge at the entrance with a span 30 feet wide and high water clearance of 8 feet (2.4 m).

Rock Creek, on the south side of Patapsco River 4 miles above Bodkin Point, has a depth of 11 feet (3.4 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. There is a wreck just west of buoy 2 A. A rock with 5 feet (1.5 m) over it lies just west of buoy 4 at the narrows. A prominent black water tank is located near Rock Point. A small marine railway is located in this creek and is capable of hauling out boats 40 feet long and 5 feet (1.5 m) draft. Repairs can be made and supplies are available including gasoline. White Rocks, on the eastern side of the entrance to the creek, show about 15 feet (4.6 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. To enter Rock Creek from northwestward, a 160° true (S. by E. 1 E. mag.) course from the black buoy at the intersection by Brewerton and Fort McHenry Channels will lead to the lighted 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 4.3 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, and due to shoaling the west side of the channel should be favored here. The channel around the western end of this shoal has a depth of 15 feet (4.6 m) and width of 70 yards and is marked by buoys. Above this point the midchannel is clear to the head. A barge, beached just inside the entrance point, west side, extends about 40 feet offshore into deep water. 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 and supplies may be obtained. At the head of Back Cove is a marine railway capable of hauling out boats 45 feet long and 6-foot (1.8 m) draft. Repairs can be made.

Fort Carroll is a stone and concrete structure with Fort Carroll Light (flashing white red sector) 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 stations. A buoyed channel leads to the quarantine wharf in Thoms Cove where there are 7 to 10 feet (2.1 to 3.0 m) depths alongside.

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 reported, in September 1935, to be 400 feet wide and 35 feet (10.7 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 35 feet (8.5 to 10.7 m) alongside, and several other wharves with depths of 25 to 27 feet (7.6 to 8.2 m). The channel is marked by buoys on each side and a lighted range, which is hard to pick up during the day.

A

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 (4.9 m) for a farther distance of 1 mile into Marley Creek. highway bascule bridge having a span of 150 feet wide between fenders and clearance of 17.8 feet (5.4 m) at high water when closed crosses the creek 34 mile above Sledds Point. A railroad bridge, having center-pier draw spans 150 feet wide between fenders and clearance of 14 feet (4.3 m) at high water when closed, is 1 mile above. 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 depth of less than 19 feet (5.8 m) to the docks.

121767-37- -17

Cabin Branch, on the west side of Curtis Creek just above South Baltimore, has a depth of 14 feet (4.3 m) to a fixed bridge, with a span 20 feet wide and high water clearance of 8 feet (2.4 m), 3 mile above the entrance. There are depths of 14 to 24 feet (4.3 to 7.3 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 296° true (NW. by 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 (5.2 m) at the face of the wharf just outside the cove, and 16 feet (4.9 m) to the bulkhead wharf inside. The entrance to the cove is marked by several buoys.

To enter Curtis Bay, pass southward of lighted buoy 7 M and buoy 2, and steer 268° true (W. 11⁄2 N. mag.) in the Curtis Bay dredged 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 (7.0 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 the highway bridge draw and eastward of the red buoy just southward of it and follow a general mid-channel course above through the railroad bridge draw. An 18-foot (5.5 m) spot lies 175 yards north-northwest of the west draw span off Stahl Point. Follow the chart above here.

Colgate Creek, on the north side of Patapsco River, northeastward of Curtis Bay, has a depth of 13 feet (4.0 m) in a narrow channel to a drawbridge at Sutton. A bridge having a draw opening 40 feet wide and a headroom of 4 feet (1.2 m) 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. The drawbridge at Sutton has spans 32 feet wide and high water clearance of 6 feet (1.8 m) when closed. Draw is opened at anytime. Point Breeze, on the west side of the entrance, is the site of a manufacturing plant. The two large brick factory buildings and a large brick smokestack are prominent.

Enter Colgate Creek by passing between buoy 1 and the airport, and then keep a short distance off the concrete bulkhead on the left. Head for the draw span of the bridge.

An extensive river bed area bordering Colgate Creek entrance has been filled to form Baltimore Municipal Airport. An aerial light is about 1/4 mile inland from the airport.

Northwest Harbor 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 (occulting green), steel skeleton tower. This lighthouse now forms the front range of Fort McHenry Channel Range.