from the whistle in navigating these waters, but owing to the uncertainty of the currents and the great depths which render the lead useless in many places strangers are advised to take a pilot.

The principal cities are Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Olympia, Port Townsend, and Bremerton. The Puget Sound Navy Yard is located at Bremerton. Bellingham and Anacortes, bordering on the waters of San Juan Archipelago, are closely related, commercially and geographically, with Puget Sound. Port Ludlow and Port Gamble are lumber towns and export considerable quantities of lumber. There are numerous towns and small settlements, most of which are at present of only local or of little commercial importance.

The large tides of Puget Sound are very complex and variable, and the use of the tide tables for the Pacific Ocean, which give the daily time and height of every high and low water for the principal ports, is advised.

CURRENTS, PUGET SOUND

Daily predictions of the times of slack water and the times and velocities of strength of current in Admiralty Inlet together with factors and differences for obtaining the times and velocities of the current for other points in Puget Sound are given in the Pacific Coast Current Tables.

In Admiralty Inlet and Puget Sound the tidal currents are not subject to such great inequalities as the tides, and there are two flood currents and two ebb currents every lunar day. Velocities of 2 to 5 knots occur from Point Wilson to Point No Point. In the more open waters of the sound southward of Point No Point the velocities are much less.

Near Point Wilson and Marrowstone Point, and also elsewhere in places in the inlet and sound near the shores, slack water occurs 1/2 to 1 hour earlier than in midsound.

In the winter when southerly winds prevail, there is generally a northerly surface drift which increases the ebb current and decreases the flood current. This effect is about 1/2 knot between Nodule and Bush Points.

Possession Sound. The tidal currents in the southern entrance of Possession Sound are weak and variable.

Hood Canal-Between Foulweather Bluff and Misery Point the tidal currents have an average velocity of about 34 knot at strength, while in the lower part of Hood Canal the average velocity at strength is only about 1/2 knot.

Agate Passage. The tidal currents have a velocity of 2 to 6 knots at strength, and slack water occurs about 1/4 hour before high or low water at Seattle.

Rich Passage. Continuous hourly observations for about one month at a control station, located in midchannel about midway between Point Glover and Point White, and similar observations for shorter periods at various other points in the passage indicate the following:

At the control station the strongest currents which have been observed are about 4 knots on the flood and 5 knots on the ebb. The average maximum velocity of the flood current is about 21⁄2 knots and of the ebb 3 knots.

The strength of the flood at the control station occurs about 311⁄2 hours after the time of low water at Seattle, and the strength of the ebb about 4 hours after the time of high water at Seattle.

High-water slack at the control station occurs about 11⁄2 hour after the time of. high water at Seattle and low-water slack about 3/4 hour after the time of low water at Seattle. The average duration of slack water, or of the period when the current velocity does not exceed 1/4 knot, is about 20 minutes. For strong currents these periods will be decreased, and for weak currents they will be increased.

In the channel between Pleasant Beach and Point Glover the average velocity of the flood at strength is about 14 knots and of the ebb about 214 knots. High-water slack occurs about 15 minutes earlier and low-water slack about 25 minutes later than at the control station.

North-northwestward of Orchard Rocks the average velocity of the flood stream is about 11⁄2 knot, and the velocity of the ebb about 2 knots.

Observations made at a point midway between Blake Island and Bainbridge Reef indicate that high-water slack occurs about 1 hour earlier and low-water slack about 1 hour later than at the control station.

From points north of Blake Island to the western end of the passage the times of strength are nearly simultaneous with those already given for the control station.

The flood stream through the passage is of a simple and regular character. The stream lines are nearly uniform in trend from shore to shore, except off the bight just northwestward of Middle Point and in the large cove on the north shore opposite Point Glover, where eddies occur. These eddies, however, are both of limited extent, neither extending outward to the usual steamer track. This regularity tends to increase the actual or available cross section of the flood stream and consequently to diminish its strength.

The funnel-shaped configuration of the passage is not favorable to the production of regular stream-line motion on the ebb current, and extensive eddies and countercurrents occur.

Between Middle Point and Point Glover an extensive eddy extends from shore almost to midchannel and will frequently be encountered by vessels on the track between Orchard Rocks and Point Glover buoys.

An eddy fills the cove on the north shore opposite Point Glover, but does not extend outward to the steamer track.

An eddy occurs about 15 mile south-southwestward of Point White and a little north of midchannel at the western entrance to the passage.

A weak countercurrent occurs inshore along the southeastern side of Point White.

These eddies and countercurrents on the ebb greatly diminish the effective cross section of the passage, and so increase the velocities in the channel. They also increase the duration of the ebb stream and diminish that of the flood, this inequality being much more pronounced in the eastern portion of the passage than in the

western.

The Narrows (Point Defiance to Fosdick Point).—At spring tides the currents reach a velocity of 5 to 6 knots,

DIRECTIONS, PUGET SOUND, POINT WILSON TO TACOMA These directions are available for vessels of any draft. The navigation of these waters is perfectly simple in clear weather with the use of the chart, as the channels are broad, open, and free from outlying dangers. In thick weather the use of whistle echoes is common by those with local knowledge, and in certain localities the lead is of use. Local navigators, familiar with the peculiarities of the currents, depend largely on the speed of their vessels, the usual times on certain courses, and the conditions of the tides, and as a rule have but few mishaps even in the thick, smoky atmosphere that at times, when exceptionally dense, has been known to suspend navigation almost completely. This intimate knowledge of the localities, only obtained by long experience under varying conditions, it is impossible to impart. Each steamer has its own track, dependent on size, speed, and current conditions. With a favorable current a midchannel course is usually steered to obtain the full advantage; with an adverse current the courses are usually closer inshore, where the currents have less velocity and advantage may be taken of favorable eddies.

The courses given are the usual ones followed by vessels, but a midchannel track should be followed when it is desired to make the most of a favorable current.

Strangers when overtaken by fog in these waters are advised to anchor if practicable or to employ a pilot who may be obtained in Port Townsend or Port Angeles from Seattle on about 12 hours' notice. Available anchorages will be pointed out under the descriptions of the various localities. All sailing vessels, except small coasting schooners, are towed in these waters.

Follow the directions, Juan de Fuca Strait, page 236, to a position with Point Wilson Lighthouse bearing 190° true (S. by E. 14 E.) distant 15% miles; then steer 143° true (SE. by E. 11⁄2 E. mag.) for 434 miles to Marrowstone Point Light abeam, distant 1/2 mile, then 154° true (SE. 12 E. mag.) for 934 miles, passing 11⁄2 mile off Bush Point Light to Double Bluff abeam, distant 1 mile, and then steer 136° true (ESE. % E. mag.) for 34 miles to Point No Point Lighthouse abeam, distant 3/4 mile. From this point, a 158° true (SE. % E. mag.) course for 64 miles will lead to Apple Cove Point abeam, distant 114 miles, and then a 178° true (SSE. 14 E. mag.) course for 95% miles will lead to West Point Lighthouse abeam, distant 1⁄2 mile. From this position vessels, if entering Seattle Harbor, can continue on course for 12 mile and then steer for Duwamish Head (marked by a lighted bell buoy) for 2 miles and then enter the harbor in midchannel.

If bound to Tacoma or beyond, continue the 178° true (SSE. 1/4 E. mag.) course for 5 miles beyond West Point Lighthouse to Alki Point Lighthouse abeam, distant 1 mile. Then steer 164° true (SE. % S. mag.) for 1111⁄2 miles, passing 1/4 mile off Pully Point Light and to a position with Robinson Point Lighthouse abeam, distant 3% mile. Round it at this distance and steer 218° true (S. by W. 14 W. mag.) for 534 miles to Point Brown Light abeam, distant 3 mile. Round Point Brown at this distance, and steer southward or southeastward to the mooring buoys or wharves at Tacoma. If bound above Tacoma, follow the directions on page 300.

72870°-34--17

POINT WILSON TO RESTORATION POINT

EASTERN SHORE

Admiralty Head, with an old tower at top of bluff on west side of head and 12 mile northward of the point, is the southeastern end of a succession of light, bare bluffs, which extend well northward of Point Partridge. At Point Partridge, 51⁄2 miles northwestward from Admiralty Head, the bluffs are highest-about 300 feet (91 m).

Admiralty Bay, eastward of Admiralty Head, is used only occasionally as an anchorage, as it is exposed to southwesters, and has hard bottom and strong currents.

Bush Point is marked by a white occulting light (light 5 seconds, eclipse 5 seconds) 25 feet above the water, on a white pyramidal building, at the end of a low sand spit. The fog signal is an air horn, 1 blast every 30 seconds. Back of the spit the land shows as a low timbered point from northward or southward. The flood current is reported to set strongly onto Bush Point.

Mutiny Bay, northwestward of Double Bluff, affords temporary anchorage near the center in 10 to 20 fathoms (18.3 to 37 m), which may be used if overtaken by fog. The shores are partly bluff and otherwise low. Austin, a post village, with landing wharf in ruins, is just northwestward of the middle of the bight. Strong tide rips, at times dangerous for small boats, occur off Double Bluff, particularly on ebb tide with strong northwest wind. An eddy is reported in Mutiny Bay on the ebb tide.

Double Bluff consists of bare, white cliffs, 300 to 400 feet (91 to 122 m) high on its eastern face, but much lower on its southwest face. Shoals extend nearly 600 yards westward from Double Bluff and are usually marked by kelp. There is a lighted bell buoy at their outer end.

Useless Bay, on the eastern side of Double Bluff, is open to the southwest. The shores are in part bluff and in part low, with a fringe of marsh nearly around the bay. Flats and shoal water extend well off the shore, with a maximum distance of 1/2 mile at the head of the bay. Deer Lagoon, a large shallow sheet of water, extends inland from the head of the bay.

Scatchet Head and Possession Point, at the southern end of Whidbey Island, are both prominent, especially from southward, the white bluffs being visible for a considerable distance. Shoals extend 1/2 mile offshore immediately westward of Scatchet Head and over 1/4 mile offshore from the head to Possession Point; those off Possession Point are market by a lighted bell buoy.

Possession Sound and tributaries are described under a separate heading following.

The Great Northern Railway runs along the shore on the east side of Puget Sound from Shilshole Bay to the Snohomish River in Possession Sound. The mail and passenger traffic between Seattle, Everett, and intermediate towns is handled by rail and stage.

Point Edwards is a high wooded point on the east side of Puget Sound 82 miles east-southeastward from Point No Point. It is a turning point for the steamers running from Seattle northward into Possession Sound and adjoining waters. A large oil storage and dis

tributing plant is located on Point Edwards. With its many large tanks on and below the bluff, it is prominent from seaward. A wharf with a 256-foot berthing face, extends to deep water. It is lighted by red and green lights and a lighted sign, and an electric fog siren is maintained on the wharf by private interests. Petroleum products in any quantity may be obtained.

A radio telephone, operated continuously by the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. for the use of vessels navigating Puget Sound, is located on the wharf at Point Edwards.

Edmonds, located 1 mile northeastward from Point Edwards, is a town with a population of 1,165 (1930 census). It has two shingle mills and is the center of an agricultural community. It has telegraph and telephone connections, and hotels, and is served by railroad, ferries, and stages. There is a town wharf built out to 15 feet (4.6 m), with water piped to the end, and a ferry slip. It is the terminus of automobile ferries to Port Townsend, Port Ludlow and Kingston, which connect with the highway and ferry system of the Olympic Peninsula.

Meadowdale, population 150 (1930 census) is a post village of no commercial importance.

Point Wells is a low sandy point projecting 450 yards from the high land 14 miles southward from Point Edwards. It is distinguished by prominent oil tanks. It is a water terminal and storage plant for two large oil companies. There is berthing space for several large vessels, and ample depths of water alongside both wharves. Northward and southward of these wharves shoals extend well offshore and care should be taken to avoid the shoal water in coming alongside or getting away. This is the main Standard Oil distributing and storage plant for the Pacific Northwest.

A fog signal consisting of an electric siren (blast 3 seconds, silent 27 seconds) is maintained on the Standard Oil Co. wharf. A lighted range for clearing the shoals northward of the wharves is maintained by private interests.

Richmond Beach is a town of 786 inhabitants (1930 census) situated 1/2 mile southward of Point Wells. Submarine cables have been laid from Richmond Beach across Puget Sound to President Point. Vessels should not anchor in this vicinity.

Meadow Point, nearly opposite Point Monroe, is a low, grassy point, with a marshy lagoon within, and higher ground behind it.

West Point is low, but rises abruptly to an elevation of over 300 feet (91 m) 3% mile from its extremity, which is marked by a lighthouse and fog signal on a white square tower. The edge of the shoal extending southwestward from the point is marked by a black buoy. Submarine telegraph cables are laid out close to the north side of the point.

West Point Lighthouse.-The light is alternating flashing red and white every 5 seconds, flash 1 second. The fog signal is a reed horn (blast 5 seconds, silent 25 seconds).

Elliot Bay and Seattle Harbor are described under a separate heading on page 275.

WESTERN SHORE

Point Wilson is low, out rises rapidly to the high bluffs extending eastward from Port Discovery. Its eastern end is marked by Point