above its junction with Chesconessex Creek; it has no wharves, and is frequented only by small local boats. A draft of 3 feet (0.9 m) at high water can be taken from the head around the eastern side of Tobacco Island into Chesconessex Creek.

POCOMOKE SOUND

(Charts 1223 and 1224)

Pocomoke Sound is on the eastern side of Chesapeake Bay, 48 miles northward of the entrance. Extensive flats occupy most of the sound, though a channel, wide and deep at the south end and shoal at the north end, leads from southward to the entrance to Pocomoke River, the most important tributary. The sound is separated from Tangier Sound on the western side by a string of marshy islands and large shoals, marked near their southern end by Watts Island Lighthouse (flashing white), white cylindrical tower. The shores of the sound are low, and there are no prominent natural landmarks. The most prominent shoals along the main channel are marked by buoys from the entrance to the mouth of Pocomoke River. The boundary between Maryland and Virginia is indicated by a line of white spar buoys. The sound is frequented by many local oyster and fishing boats, by a few schooners and barges, the deepest draft being 9 feet (2:7 m). Small boats can enter through Broad Creek. The mean range of tides is about 2 feet.

Watts Island is marshy and wooded but has no prominent marks. The channel through the flats northward of it has a depth of 3 feet (0.9 m) and is sometimes marked by bush stakes, but is difficult without local knowledge. Watts Island lighthouse is on an islet, with conspicuous trees, just southward of the island.

Little Fox Island consists of a group of bare, marshy islands. Great Thoroughfare, northward of Little Fox Island, has a least depth of 4 feet (1.2 m) at high water, and is sometimes used by local boats but is difficult without local knowledge.

Great Fox Island is low and marked by a single prominent poplar tree. There is a group of small red oyster houses on the eastern side. Cedar Straits, northward of Great Fox Island, has a depth of 32 feet (1.1 m) at high water through a narrow unmarked channel, and is little used even by local boats.

Beach Island off the point at the southern end of Pocomoke Sound is marked by a prominent unpainted house.

Deep Creek is a shallow, unimportant creek on the southeast side of Pocomoke Sound. The main entrance between the shoal is 312 miles east-northeastward of Watts Island Lighthouse. It has a depth of 7 feet (2.1 m) for 5 miles above the main channel of Pocomoke Sound to the mouth of the creek, through a crooked channel with extensive flats on each side, and 2 feet (0.6 m) to the head of the creek. There are no wharves, and it is used only by small local boats, many of which come from Hunting Creek through the Notch, good for a draft of 3 feet (0.9 m) at high water. The channel is marked by a flashing white light at the entrance and by buoys for 5 miles above. Supplies and provisions are available. There is a marine

railway capable of hauling out a boat 30 feet long and 3-foot (0.9 m) draft. Repairs can be made.

Hunting Creek, on the southeast side of Pocomoke Sound, has a depth of 7 feet (2.1 m) to the mouth of Bagwell Creek, 2 miles above the mouth, and 4 feet (1.2 m) to the wharf at the post village of Hopkins, on the southern branch. It is frequented by many small local boats, the deepest draft being 4 feet (1.2 m). The approach to the creek from the main channel of Pocomoke Sound leads eastward along the south side of Guildford Flats for 311⁄2 miles, then southward for 12 miles to the mouth, and is marked by Guildford Flats light (flashing white) and several buoys. Gasoline, fresh water and provisions can be procured at Hopkins. In entering approach midway between the channel aids at the outer end of Guildford Flats on a 70° true (ENE. % E. mag.) course, to avoid a 6-foot (1.8 m) spot here, and steer 82° true (E. s N. mag.) for 15% miles until 3 mile past buoy 1, then steer 158° true (S. by E. % E. mag.) for 134 miles to the buoys at the entrance. Above the entrance the mid-channel is clear for about 1 mile to buoy 5 above which it is narrow and is usually marked by bush stakes, but is difficult without local knowledge. There is a prominent house on Sandy Point.

Guildford Creek is 21/2 miles northeastward of the mouth of Hunting Creek, with which it has a common approach from the main channel of Pocomoke Sound. There is a depth of 7 feet (2.1 m). to the entrance and 2 to 5 feet (0.6 to 1.5 m) inside. There are no wharves, and it is frequented only by local boats of 2 to 4 feet (0.6 to 1.2 m) draft. The channel is marked by a buoy at the entrance and sometimes by bush stakes above.

Messongo Creek, on the eastern side of Pocomoke Sound, southward of Saxis Island, has a depth of 6 feet (1.8 m) for 5 miles above its junction with the main channel of Pocomoke Sound, shoaling gradually to about 1 foot (0.3 m) at the village of Marsh Market, 212 miles above. The creek is frequented only by small local boats. It is marked by buoys at the entrance. To enter, pass 1/2 mile northnorthwestward of Guilford Flats Light and steer 53° true (NE. by E. % E. mag.) for 3 miles to the first buoy. Above the buoys the mid-channel is clear to the head.

A draft of 22 to 3 feet (0.7 to 0.9 m) at high water can be taken from the mouth of Messongo Creek, northwestward through Starling Creek to the south end of the village of Saxis, and many local boats frequently use this passage. The cove at the northwest end of Starling Creek has a depth of 1 to 2 feet (0.3 to 0.6 m) and is much used as an anchorage by small boats. A project calls for a channel 7 feet (2.1 m) deep to lead from the Sound to this cove; a turning basin and bulkhead are included in the project.

Saxis, a village on Saxis Island, at the northeast end of Pocomoke Sound, is the center of a considerable oystering and fishing industry. There are many prominent white buildings. Gasoline and provisions are obtainable.

Pocomoke River, at the northeast end of Pocomoke Sound, has a depth of about 412 feet (1.4 m) across the flats at the mouth (called the Muds), though the bottom is generally soft and vessels run with their keels 1 to 12 feet (0.3 to 0.5 m) in the mud. The river is navi

gable for vessels to the town of Snow Hill, 25 miles above the mouth. There is a small rock pile (Spooner Rocks) reported to have a depth of 42 feet (1.5 m) about 300 yards easterly of Pocomoke River Light. After passing the "Muds" the channel has ample depth and width and is easy of navigation for a distance of 20 miles, above which it has been improved by dredging to a present depth of about 8 feet (2.4 m) and width of 100 to 130 feet as far as Snow Hill, with several cut-offs. The channel in the upper end is unmarked, is narrow and crooked, and some local knowledge is required to carry the best water. The water is fresh above Rehoboth and can be used in boilers.

The mean range of tides is about 2.2 feet at the entrance, 2.8 feet at Pocomoke City, and 3 feet at Snow Hill, but is considerably affected by the winds. Freshets cause a rise of 1 to 5 feet (0.3 to 1.5 m) at Snow Hill but are not dangerous.

Shelltown is a post village on the west bank of Pocomoke River, 2 miles above Williams Point. There is a store. Provisions and gasoline are obtainable.

Rehoboth is a post village on the west bank, 9 miles above the entrance. Gasoline and provisions are obtainable.

Pocomoke City is a town with railroad communication, 17 miles above the mouth. All kinds of supplies are obtainable. The marine railway has not been used for several years. The railway bridge has a draw span 61 feet wide and a high water clearance when closed of 512 feet (1.7 m). The best water leads through the western opening. The highway bridge, 1⁄2 mile above, is a double bascule with opening 65 feet wide and high water clearance when closed of 312 feet (1.1 m). Snow Hill is a town with railroad communication. A bascule bridge with 40-foot span opening and having a headroom of 1.5 feet (0.5 m) at high water when closed, crosses the river just above the wharves, and the river is navigable for 2 miles above. Five-hour notice should be given for opening the bridge. A pilot may be obtained at Pocomoke City for the river to Snow Hill. Local knowledge is necessary. The U. S. Engineers have made investigations for a possible canal connecting the Pocomoke River at Snow Hill with Chincoteague Bay about 5 miles distant.

Marumsco Creek, at the northern end of Pocomoke Sound, 211⁄2 miles north-northeastward of Saxis Pier, has a depth of 2 feet (0.6 m) for 1 mile above the mouth and is little used.

East Creek, 211⁄2 miles northward of Saxis, has a depth of 1 to 2 feet (0.3 to 0.6 m) and is little used.

Apes Hole Creek, 4 miles west-northwestward of Saxis, has a depth of 2 feet (0.6 m) to the head. There are small wharves on the northwest side at which small boats from the north end of Pocomoke Sound make landings for Crisfield, 2 miles northwestward.

Broad Creek, a crooked thoroughfare connecting the north end of Pocomoke Sound with Little Annemessex River, has a reported depth in 1935, of 6 feet (1.8 m) in a dredged channel and is extensively used by local boats. There are lights at each entrance and several buoys in addition at the southern entrance.

FROM THE SOUTHWARD

1. Watts Island Lighthouse bearing 27° true, distant 10 miles. Passing two miles off Nandua Creek Lighted Bell Buoy 1 NC: Direct (Watts Island Lighthouse ahead).

Reverse (same lighthouse astern). 2. Pocomoke Sound Shoal Buoy 2 A bearing east-southeast, distant 1,350 yards. If entering from the northward, keep south of the shoals and fish trap limits (see chart 1223), and direct course to enter the sound from this position. against the San Marcos wreck which is marked by a lighted bell buoy:

Direct

Reverse_

Guard

3. Little Watts Island Shoal Southeast Buoy 3 bearing_northwest by west, distant 0.8 mile. Passing 375 yards off Beach Island Shoal Light:

Direct_
Reverse-

4. Upper Watts Island Shoal Buoy 5 bearing 228° true, distant 1,600 yards. If bound for Hunting, Guildford or Messengo Creeks leave at position 4, following the chart and the directions on page -:

Direct_

Reverse_

5. Tunnel Island Spit Light bearing east, distant 0.4 mile. Passing 0.3 mile off the light and 250 yards off buoy C 7. Direct

207

Reverse.

6. Boundary Line Turn Buoy C bearing northwest, distant 0.5 mile.

Direct

SW. by W. 34 W..

3.0

227

TANGIER SOUND

(Charts 1223 and 1224)

Tangier Sound on the eastern side of Chesapeake Bay, with its southern entrance about 48 miles above the entrance to the bay, is 30 miles long and 3 to 5 miles wide. It forms the approach to several important tributaries and is frequented by bay steamers and schooners, the deepest draft being 12 feet (3.7 m) and usual draft 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m). It is also frequented by a large number of boats engaged in the oystering and fishing industry. The sound is separated from Chesapeake Bay by a row of marshy islands and flats, through which several thoroughfares lead.

The main entrance is from southward and is marked by Tangier Sound Lighthouse (group flashing white, red sector), white house on piles, and Watts Island Lighthouse (flashing white), white tower. A broad and deep channel leads from the south end to the tributaries at the north end. It is bordered by extensive flats, but the most prominent dangers are marked by buoys and lights, and the channel is easily followed by day with the aid of the charts. In the tributaries local knowledge or a pilot may be necessary. The sound is also entered by vessels through Hooper and Kedges Straits and by small boats from Pocomoke Sound through Broad Creek and Little Annemessex River.

The islands and thoroughfares on the east side from Watts Island northward to Cedar Straits, are described under "Pocomoke Sound." Tangier Island is low, sparsely wooded in the center, and bare on the north and south ends. A church spire near the center is prominent. There is a village (Tangier post office) in the center of the island and several smaller settlements, all composed of people engaged in oystering and fishing.

A new channel has been dredged 7 feet (2.1 m) deep and 60 feet wide along the course 234° true (SW. by W. 3% W. mag.) leading from Tangier Sound to the turning basin at Tangier. The basin is 400 feet square and has the same depth. Lights, buoys, and beacons with reflectors mark the channel. It is entered from east of Horse Shoe Islet, a small sand cay about awash at high water. With local knowledge 3 feet (0.9 m) can be carried from Tangier southeastward to the Sound. This channel shifts with storms but is usually bush staked. Gasoline, Diesel oil, and provisions are obtainable, and there is communication with Crisfield by motor boat. There is a marine railway capable of hauling out boats 35 feet long and 4-foot draft. Deck repairs can be made.

The flats between Tangier Island and Smith Island are usually bare at low water, and there is no thoroughfare through them except for small boats at high water.

Smith Island is the name applied to a large group of marshy lands separated by narrow thoroughfares; none of the islands are connected by bridges, and travel is entirely by boat. Tylerton, Ewell, and Rhodes Point are three small post villages on the island, all on the interior channels. All of the people are engaged in the oystering and fishing industry. There are stores at all of the villages, and gasoline is obtainable.

121767-37--18