change in the trend of the coast. There is comparatively low land immediately behind it. At a distance, when coming from northward or eastward, it is usually made as an island. Point Conception Lighthouse, near the western part of the point, is a white tower behind dwelling. The light is flashing white (flash 8 seconds, eclipse 22 seconds), 133 feet (40 m) above the water, and visible 18 miles. The fog signal is an air diaphone (blast 3 seconds, silent 4 seconds, blast 3 seconds, silent 50 seconds). A low, black rock, nearly awash at high tide, lies 220 yards offshore southward and westward of the lighthouse.

Winds.-Point Conception has been called the Cape Horn of the Pacific on account of the heavy northwest gales that are encountered off it, on coming through the Santa Barbara Channel. A great change of climatic and meteorological conditions is experienced off the point, the transition often being remarkably sudden and well defined. When the northwest winds are strong they blow down the various canyons between Point Conception and Capitan, causing heavy offshore gusts.

From Point Conception the coast trends in a gentle curve northwestward for 12 miles to Point Arguello, and consists of bold, rocky cliffs 100 to 400 feet (30.5 to 122 m) high. The coast railway runs along these cliffs and through several tunnels between Point Conception and Point Arguello.

Espada Bluff is a prominent cliff, 360 feet (110 m) high, 51⁄2 miles northward from Point Conception; the cliffs on each side drop sharply to less than 100 feet (30.5 m) in height. It is quite prominent from seaward.

Point Arguella is a narrow, jagged, rocky projection, extending 800 yards westward from the general trend of the land, with an outlying rock 200 yards seaward. The extremity of the point overhangs the water's edge and 200 yards back is nearly divided by gullies from the north and south sides. These form a saddle, which, from northward and southward, makes it appear like two small heads. The western extremity of the point is marked by Point Arguello Lighthouse, a white square tower. The light is group flashing white (flash 2 seconds, eclipse 6 seconds, flash 2 seconds, eclipse 50 seconds), 124 feet (38 m) above the water, and visible 16 miles. The fog signal is an air diaphone (blast 2 seconds, silent 18 seconds). There is a United States naval radio direction finder station (call letters NPK) near the lighthouse.

A radio beacon has been established at the light station. See Light List for characteristics. The station does not maintain radio communication.

Mount Tranquillon, near the seaward end of the Santa Ynez Mountains, is prominent in clear weather. It terminates in Rocky Point, Point Arguello, and Point Perdernales, which are separated by a little over 1 mile.

Rocky Point and Point Pedernales have numerous detached rocks, extending in some cases 300 yards offshore. Point Pedernales and the largest rock off it are very dark and conspicuous, as sand dunes commence immediately northward of the point. There is a lighted whistle buoy off Pedernales Point.

ISLANDS OFF THE COAST OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND (CHART 5101)

is 1,964 feet (599 m) high and its southeastern end lies 60 miles 280° true (W. 12 S. mag.) from Point Loma, from which it is visible in clear weather. It is 18 miles long in a northwest and southeast direction, with an average width of 21/2 miles, the broader and higher part of the island being near the southeast end. The skyline as viewed from the northeast or southwest shows as a tableland, and it is impossible to identify any particular point for taking bearings. The northeast side of the island is straight and bold, with rocky, precipitous cliffs. The southwest side is lower and more broken. There is an islet, 72 feet (21.9 m) high about 1/2 mile off the northwest point of San Clemente Island. There is no kelp along the north shore, but the south shore is well fringed. The island is of little commercial importance, and is used mainly for raising sheep. The depths in approaching the island from northward are great, the 100-fathom (183 m) curve lying in many places but little over 1/4 mile from the beach. On the south side the depths are less, the 100fathom (183 m) curve near the southeast extremity lying over 3 miles offshore.

Pyramid Head, the eastern point of the island, is about 900 feet (274 m) high, sharp, and jagged; it is a prominent feature in making the island. It is marked by a light.

Northwest (Clemente) Harbor (chart 5126), on the north side of the western end of the island, affords shelter in southerly weather and is a comfortable anchorage in the prevailing westerly weather, as the large beds of kelp and the low islet to the northward of the anchorage afford protection. It is open northward, and is unsafe in heavy northwesterly weather. The bottom is sandy and the kelp extends 12 fathoms (22 m).

Westward from the northwest end of the island there extends a line of rocks terminating about 1/2 mile off the point in a bold rocky islet, known locally as Castle Rock. This islet is 72 feet (22 m) high and is prominent in approaching from the northeast or southwest.

San Clemente Island Light, flashing white, unwatched, 214 feet (65 m) above sea level, is on the headland at the north end of the

island.

Wilson Cove, on the north shore, 22 miles southeastward of Northwest Harbor, is a fair anchorage in the prevailing westerly weather, but is uncomfortable as the swells make around the point, and a strong local wind usually blows down off the hills in the afternoon. Scattered kelp grows about 200 yards off the south point. The best anchorage for small craft is made by bringing the group of ranch buildings on the beach in range with the center of the valley (bearing south magnetic), and anchoring in 5 to 6 fathoms (9.1 to 11.0 m), sand bottom. In this cove is located the headquarters of a sheep company. A herd of about 13,000 sheep is maintained on the island. The company maintains a small wharf for loading sheep and supplies in the deepest part of the cove. This wharf can be used only at high water.

Pyramid (Smuggler) Cove (chart 5126) is under the eastern point (Pyramid Head) of the island, about 21⁄2 miles westward of the point on its southern shore. A windmill and corral are near the western end of the sand beach. Protection is afforded from northwesterly weather in 10 to 15 fathoms (18.3 to 27.4 m), sandy bottom, about 13 mile offshore, at the western limit of the kelp, with the windmill bearing 341° true (NW. by N. mag.). A fair swell runs most of the time but landing at the sand beach is not particularly difficult.

Pyramid Cove is used by the Navy during target practice. Pyramid Head Light, flashing white, unwatched, 212 feet (65 m) above sea level, is on the eastern point of San Clemente Island. China Point Light, flashing white, unwatched, 112 feet (34 m) above sea level, is to the westward of Pyramid Cove at China Point. Pyramid Cove Buoy 2, 1 mile southwesterly from Pyramid Head Light marks the southern limit of a rocky shoal.

Seal Harbor is a small indentation on the southwestern shore, about midway between the two ends. It affords a boat landing, and an indifferent small craft anchorage in northwest weather.

SANTA CATALINA ISLAND

lies 18 miles southward from Point Fermin. It is 181⁄2 miles long in an east and west direction with a greatest width of 7 miles. About 6 miles from the western end is a deep cut in a north and south direction that almost divides it. The coves on each side of the island formed by this cut are less than 1/2 mile apart at their heads, the land separating them being a low isthmus, so that at a distance of a few miles the island appears as two. The island is rugged and mountainous, with steep, precipitous shores, intersected occasionally by deep gulches and valleys, and is covered with a thick growth of brush and some scrub oak. The highest peak, 2,109 feet (643 m) lies about in the middle of the eastern part of the island. Sheep and cattle are raised to some extent. The shores are free from kelp, except in a few places on the south side. The island rises abruptly from deep water, the 30-fathom (55 m) curve lying close inshore.

Catalina Island East End Light, flashing white, unwatched, is on high ground near the eastern end of island 208 feet above the

water.

Catalina Island West End Light, flashing white, unwatched, is on the westerly point of island.

Dakin Čove, generally known as Avalon, is on the north shore of the island, 21/2 miles from its eastern end. It is about 1/2 mile by 1/4 mile in extent, and affords indifferent anchorage in 8 fathoms (14.6 m) sandy botton. There is a depth of 20 fathoms (37 m) immediately outside the points of the cove. The shelter is good in southeasterly and southwesterly weather, and fair in northwesterly weather if the wind is not too strong. The anchorage is not safe during the "Santa Ana" winds that occasionally blow from the eastward during the fall and winter months.

Avalon (chart 5128) is an extensive resort and the principal settlement on the island. There are several wharves here, and daily

steamer and airplane service with San Pedro. A road has been cut along the beach some distance on each side of the cove, and at night the lights along this road show prominently from San Pedro Channel. The cove is important as a yacht anchorage.

White Cove, 31⁄2 miles northwestward from Avalon, affords an anchorage in 8 fathoms (14.6); the protection is similar to that at Avalon.

Lone Point Light is a flashing white light on a small white structure, 73 feet (22.2 m) above the water, at Lone Point, 4 miles northwestward from Avalon.

Isthmus Cove (chart 5128), on the north shore, 6 miles eastward from the western end of the island, affords shelter for small vessels in southerly weather, but is dangerous in northwesterly weather. A wharf has been built out to 17 feet (5.2 m) at mean lower low water, and there are several prominent buildings on shore. There is an automobile road to Avalon, and during the season, there is a launch service to that point.

Fisherman Harbor is a small cove in the eastern part of the bight; it is only available for small craft and is little used. The deep cut in the island is the prominent feature in making the cove. Bird Rock, 66 feet (20.1 m) high and of small extent, lies 34 mile off the entrance to the cove. It shows as a black haystack from the channel, and the top is generally white with bird droppings. White Rock, 30 feet (9.1) high and 170 yards in extent; lies 1/4 mile off the eastern part of the cove; it is covered with sand and grass. Two rocks, with 7 and 18 feet (2.1 and 5.5 m) over them, lie 100 yards northwestward from White Rock, and a shoal extends 100 yards from the southern face. A rock, with 6 feet (1.8 m) over it, lies about 100 yards southeastward from the eastern end of White Rock. Harbor Reefs, 1/4 mile southwestward from White Rock, are 350 yards long in an east and west direction and less than 100 yards wide; they are generally well marked by kelp. At low water a portion is exposed at the eastern end. The anchorage is 300 yards off the end of the wharf with the eastern end of White Rock bearing 46° true (NNE. 34 E. mag.). In entering, bring Bird Rock to bear 10° true (N. 12 W. mag.) astern and steer 190° true (S. 11⁄2 E. mag.) until the eastern end of the White Rock bears 46° true (NNE. 34 E. mag.). The western point of the cove should be favored to avoid Harbor Reefs.

Catalina Harbor (chart 5128), on the southern side of the isthmus separating it from Isthmus Cove, affords shelter, except in southerly weather, for small vessels. It is funnel shaped, about 3/4 mile long, and at the entrance 3% mile wide. It is free from hidden dangers and easy of access. Pin Rock is a small rock above water lying close inside the eastern head; it is about 100 yards offshore with deep water around it. The anchorage is in 4 to 5 fathoms (7.3 to 9.1 m), soft bottom, abreast the long, low point on the eastern shore known as Ballast Point; the head of the harbor is shoal. The 3-fathom (5.5 m) curve is marked by kelp, and vessels entering should give the shores a berth of 150 yards. The wreck of a Chinese junk lies at the head of the cove formed by Ballast Point.

Landmark.-A wooden tower, 50 feet in height, has been erected on the summit of the 2,000-foot hill on Santa Catalina Island.

SANTA BARBARA ISLAND

lies 21 miles 270° true (WSW. 34 W. mag.) from the western end of Santa Catalina Island; it is 111⁄2 miles long in a north and south direction, with a greatest width of 1 mile. The profile of the island is saddle shaped and at a considerable distance it appears as two. The greatest elevation is 656 feet (200 m) on the south side of the saddle, and the island is visible for over 25 miles in clear weather. The shores are bold and precipitous and well marked by kelp, which extends to 10 fathoms (18.3 m) at irregular distances from the shore. Westward, the kelp makes out for over 1 mile, covering very irregular bottom with a sunken rock near the outer and southern edge of the kelp. The water around the island is deep except where the kelp indicates foul or rocky bottom. A rocky islet, 300 feet (91 m) high and surrounded by kelp lies 13 mile northwestward from the southwestern point of the island; its northern face is steep. A smaller rock, 145 feet (44 m) high, lies 200 yards offshore about 1/4 mile westward from the northern point of the island.

A fair anchorage for small craft in the prevailing westerly weather may be had on the eastern side of the island about 1/2 mile south of the northeast point near the inshore edge of the kelp in 6 to 7 fathoms (11.0 to 12.8 m), hard bottom. Large naval vessels anchor off the eastern side of the island within the 30-fathom (55 m) curve, hard gray sand, during fleet maneuvers.

Santa Barbara Island Light, flashing white, unwatched, 225 feet (69 m) above sea level, is on the northern point of the island.

Santa Barbara Island South End Light, flashing white, unwatched, 442 feet (135 m) above sea level, is on the westerly part of the south end of the island.

Osborn Bank, 7 miles 180° true (S. by E. 12 mag.) from Santa Barbara Island, is 5 miles long in a northwesterly and southeasterly direction, and has an average width of 114 miles. The least depth on the bank as shown by the survey of 1925 is 24 fathoms (44 m).

SAN NICOLAS ISLAND (CHART 5101)

lies 53 miles off the nearest point of the coast and is the outermost island of the group. It is 43 miles westward from San Clemente and 24 miles southwestward from Santa Barbara Island. It is 8 miles long in an east-and-west direction, with an average width of 3 miles; the highest point is 890 feet (271 m) and the island is visible about 38 miles. From a distance, the island has a gently rounding profile, and there are no features that can be identified for taking bearings. The western third of the island is covered with sand, some of which has drifted to the middle northern shore. The remainder of the island is cut by deep arroyos and the top of the mesa is spotted with patches of burr clover and bunch grass from which about 2,000 head of sheep eke out an existence. With the exception of the rocky points the island beaches are all sand. It is surrounded by kelp except about 2 miles at the northwestern extremity. At the western end of the island the kelp extends westward about 3 miles, covering very irregular bottom. Two reefs lie in the kelp, 112 miles west-southwestward from the western point of the island. In thick weather great caution must be exercised in