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approaching from westward, and vessels should in no case pass inside the kelp. No dangers are known to exist outside the kelp.

Begg Rock, 15 feet (4.6 m) high, lies 8 miles west-northwestward from the western point of San Nicolas Island, and is visible about 10 miles in clear weather. There is a reef extending northward and southward of it a little over 100 yards in each direction. The rock rises abruptly from 50 fathoms (91 m) close-to. There is a lighted whistle buoy 500 yards northward of this rock.

A bank with 30 to 40 fathoms (55 to 73 m) over it extends 7 miles easterly from the eastern point of the island. From the 40fathom (73 m) curve, the depths increase rapidly to the eastward and southward.

An indifferent anchorage may be had on the south side of the sand spit (0.6 mile in length) on the east end of the island. Small craft anchor in 8 fathoms (14.6 m), hard sand bottom, near the inshore edge of the kelp. Larger vessels anchor further off shore in 10 to 17 fathoms (18.3 to 31 m), hard sand bottom. The anchorage is uncomfortable as the island tends to split the westerly seas and they break with equal force on both sides and meet off the end of the spit in a maelstrom of breakers. This condition tends to move the sand from the western end of the island and build up the sand spit. After sunset there is generally a strong wind blowing off the mesa, making holding difficult. In a blow, local fisherman are in the habit of leaving this anchorage, considering the anchorage at Santa Barbara Island much the better of the two. Corral Harbor, on the north side of the island 31⁄2 miles from the western point, has filled with drifting sand to such an extent that it no longer affords a good boat landing.

San Nicolas Island Light, flashing white, unwatched, 556 feet (169 m) above the water is on the headland at the easterly end of the island.

A bank, with depths from 52 to 70 fathoms (95 to 128 m) over it, lies 20 miles 180° true (S. by E. 1⁄2 E. mag.) from the eastern point of the island. The bank extends 9 miles in a northwesterly and southeasterly direction, and has an average width of 2 miles. The least depth found in the survey of 1925 was 52 fathoms (95 m.). The bottom is hard with fine gray sand and shells. This bank is fished extensively during the winter season.

THE SANTA BARBARA ISLANDS (CHART 5202)

Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel, form a chain about 55 miles long, extending in a general westerly direction from the eastern point of Anacapa Island. These form the southern boundary of the Santa Barbara Channel. The passages between them, while navigable, are not much used.

Anacapa Passage, between Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands, is 4 miles wide and free from dangers, with deep water close to either shore. This passage should not be attempted in thick weather, as the lead gives no warning of a close approach to the islands.

Santa Cruz Channel, between Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Island, is 8 miles long and 5 miles wide, with good water close in to both islands; the rocks off the western and southwestern points of

Santa Cruz Island and the eastern and northeastern points of Santa Rosa Island are so close inshore that they cannot be considered as dangers in the channel.

San Miguel Passage, between Santa Rosa and San Miguel Islands, is 212 miles wide between the ledges which project from the opposite points of the two islands. There is much broken water with many current rips in the vicinity of these ledges. To avoid Talcott Shoal (described on p. 73) vessels using this passage should not allow the outer rock off the western point of Santa Rosa Island to bear southward of 184° true (S. by E. 1% E. mag.). Sailing vessels should avoid this passage as the light airs and calms under the lee of San Miguel Island and the currents frequently combine to set a vessel toward Talcott Shoal.

The currents in the vicinity of the islands generally follow the directions of the wind, with countereddies under the lee of the islands and the projecting points. In northwest weather a current sets eastward from Cardwell Point toward Talcott Shoal and is frequently felt near and eastward of it.

The prevailing winds around the Santa Barbara Islands are westerly, and the northwesterly winds during the spring months are frequently quite strong. During the winter months there are occasional southeasterly storms which sometimes last for several days, preventing small boats from leaving the protection of the islands. Occasionally, during the fall and winter months, strong northeasterly winds, sometimes reaching gale force, occur. These northeasters come up very quickly, usually on a high barometer and a clear sky, and are preceded by several hours of extremely dry, warm air. They blow with a greater velocity in the vicinity of Santa Cruz and Anacapa Islands than around San Miguel and Santa Rosa Islands. These northeasters last from a few hours to 3 days. See Santa Ana, page 54.

ANACAPA ISLAND

(chart 5126) is the eastern one of the Santa Barbara Islands and consists of three islands separated by two very narrow openings which cannot be used as passages, the eastern one being filled with rocks bare at all stages of the tide and the western one is only 50 feet wide and blocked by sand awash at high tide. The eastern point of the island lies 1034 miles 223° true (SSW. % W. mag.) from Point Hueneme, and is marked by Anacapa Island Light House on a white cylindrical tower. The light is a group flashing white, 277 feet (84 m) above high water and visible 23 miles. The fog signal is an air diaphone (one blast every 30 seconds). A radiobeacon is operated at the light. See page 11. The fog signal is an air diaphone, blast 3 seconds, silent 27 seconds.

From the point the island extends 42 miles in a general westerly direction. The eastern and lowest one is 1 mile long, 1/4 mile wide, about 225 feet (69 m) high, and rather level on top. The middle one is 112 miles long, 1/4 mile wide, and 275 feet (84 m) high. The western and largest island is 2 miles long, 34 mile wide, and rises to a peak 930 feet (283 m) high. This is visible at a distance of 35 miles in clear weather, and the other two at 15 to 20 miles. The

The east

shores are perpendicular and filled with numerous caves. ern extremity terminates in an arch rock, with a pyramidal rock just southward of its eastern end. The island is surrounded by kelp, except in a few small places.

The lighthouse keepers and 1 or 2 fishermen are the only inhabitants. Seals and pelicans are present in large numbers.

The best anchorage for southeast storms is on the northern side about 4 mile northward of the center of the middle island, in 9 to 12 fathoms (16.5 to 21.9 m), with the eastern opening of the island open. For northwest weather the best anchorage is 1/4 mile southward of the eastern passage in 8 to 12 fathoms (14.6 to 21.9 m). However, it is best for larger vessels to lie at Smugglers Cove, on the east side of Santa Cruz Island where the bottom is not so steep-to. Small boats anchor in 5 to 7 fathoms (9.1 to 12.8 m) in the bight (called East Fish Camp) 1⁄2 mile southwestward of the eastern passage. About the only protection from northeasters is as close to shore as possible in the bight immediately westward of Cat Rock, on the south side of the western island. The Lighthouse Service maintains a boat landing and hoist on the northern side near the eastern extremity. Landings can also be made on either side of the island near the western opening, and at East Fish Camp. The island rises abruptly from deep water and in thick weather in its vicinity vessels should not shoal the depths to less than 50 fathoms (91 m).

Anacapa Passage, separating Anacapa Island from Santa Cruz Island, is described on page 69.

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

is the largest of the Santa Barbara Islands, and its western_point lies 212 miles 207° true (S. by W. mag.) from Santa Barbara Light. Its eastern end, San Pedro Point, is 4 miles west of the western end of Anacapa Island. It is 21 miles long in an east and west direction, with an average width of 5 miles. The highest peak, in the western part, is 2,407 feet (734 m) high, and in the eastern part 1,770 feet (539 m). The eastern part is very irregular, barren, and destitute of water; the western part has a few trees, is well covered with grass, and has several springs. Sheep are raised to a considerable extent. The shores are high, steep, and rugged, with deep water close inshore, and there is much less kelp than around the other islands. There are no outlying dangers, except Gull Island, 150 feet (46 m) high, which is the largest and outermost of a group of small, rocky islets, 1/4 mile in extent, lying nearly 3/4 mile southward of the southern point of the island. A field of kelp stretches offshore from the southwest point of the island and embraces Gull Island, terminating 1 mile eastward of it. The bottom is foul in the vicinity of these islets and between them. The shores of the island are indented by numerous coves and small bays, affording boat landing and shelter for small craft. Gull Island Light is a flashing white light 73 feet (37 m) above the water.

Chinese Harbor, in the eastern part of the broad bight in the northern shore about 41/2 miles from the eastern point of the island, affords anchorage in the kelp in 5 to 6 fathoms (9.1 to 11.0 m).

Fresh water may be obtained 34 mile eastward of the anchorage. This is the best harbor on the island for northeast wind.

Prisoners Harbor (chart 5126), in the western part of the same bight, about 8 miles from the eastern point, affords shelter from all winds except those from northeast to west; some protection in northwest weather is afforded by the kelp, but a heavy swell rolls in. In northeast weather the anchorage is unprotected and dangerous. A wharf extends to 16 feet (4.9 m). The best anchorage is in 12 to 15 fathoms (21.9 to 27.4 m) sandy bottom, abreast a white rock on the western shore of the bight, with the outer end of the wharf and the buildings at the inner end in range. Fresh water can be obtained.

Pelican Bay, a small indentation 1 mile west-northwestward from Prisoners Harbor, is used as a yacht anchorage during the summer season. There is a camp consisting of several buildings on shore.

There are several other little coves on the north shore, but these are only available for small craft owing to their limited extent.

Smugglers Cove, immediately southward of the eastern point of the island, affords shelter in northwesterly weather in 5 fathoms (9.1 m), sandy bottom. Water may be obtained from wells on shore.

Alamos Anchorage, on the southern shore 334 miles eastward from Gull Island, is available for small craft in northwesterly weather and affords a good boat landing.

Forney Cove, 1 mile eastward of Fraser Point at the western end of the island, affords shelter in northerly weather in 7 to 8 fathoms (12.8 to 14.6 m). The surf is heavy on the beach, but the rocky islet westward and the reef connecting it with the shore lessen the swell at the anchorage.

SANTA ROSA ISLAND

lies 5 miles westward from Santa Cruz Island, the two islands being separated by Santa Cruz Channel. The island is 15 miles long in an east and west direction, with a greatest width of nearly 10 miles. The highest point, near the middle of the island, is 1,562 feet (476 m) high, being visible for over 40 miles. Water is plentiful, and the island is partially covered with vegetation, but there are no large trees. The shores are bold, high, and rocky, and kelp surrounds the greater part of the island. The depths, in approaching, shoal more abruptly from southward than from northward, where the 100-fathom (183 m) curve is over 5 miles and the 20-fathom (37 m) curve about 2 miles from the beach.

East Point, the eastern extremity of the island, is moderately high, sharp, and bold. A rock, with 16 feet (4.9 m) over it, lies in the kelp 2 mile 16° true (N. mag.) from East Point, and a shoal, with 414 fathoms (7.6 m) over it, lies 3° true (N. by W. % W. mag.), distant 2 miles from the point.

Skunk Point, 22 miles northward from East Point, is low and formed by drifting sand, with sand beaches westward and southward; the sand dunes behind it are 250 feet (76 m) high.

Carrington Point, the northern point of the island, has a seaward face 3⁄44 mile in length; it is bold and rocky, and rises rapidly to an elevation of 440 feet (134 m).

Foul ground extends about 13 mile northward from Carrington Point, terminating in Beacon Reef; there are from 3 to 4 fathoms (5.5 to 7.3 m) over it, with spots of 10 to 15 feet (3.0 to 4.6 m). The reef rarely breaks and there is no safe passage inside of it. Brockway Point is high, bold, and rounding, and about midway between Carrington Point and the western end of the island.

Rodes Reef, marked by kelp, is a patch of three sunken rocks lying 134 miles 73° true (NE. by E. % E. mag.) from Brockway Point, and about 3/4 mile offshore; it breaks in nearly all weather. Sandy Point, the western extremity of the island, is moderately bold and rocky, with a detached rock lying close inshore and sand dunes 400 feet (122 m) high extending inland. These white sand dunes are prominent when approaching from southward or westward.

Talcott Shoal, with 11 feet (3.4 m) over it, lies on the edge of the kelp, 12 miles 26° true (N. % E. mag.) from Sandy Point; a detached kelp patch lies 1 mile northward of the shoal. The soundings in the vicinity of the shoal range from 42 to 12 fathoms (8.2 to 21.9 m); the shoal breaks only in heavy weather.

South Point, the south point of the island, terminates in a rocky bluff 100 feet (30.5 m) high, and rises rapidly to a height of 460 feet (140 m); the southwestern face of the point is formed by 1/2 mile of cliffs several hundred feet high. It is marked by South Point Light, about 400 feet (122 m) above the water, and flashing white every 10 seconds, flash 1 second in duration.

Bee Rock lies 34 mile off the southern shore of the island, 31⁄2 miles eastward of Sandy Point; it is low and not easily seen but is surrounded by kelp which stretches from South Point to Sandy Point. Several rocks and shoals exist inside the kelp, which should not be entered.

There are no harbors around the island, but anchorage may be made in Becher Bay and Jonhson Lee; there are several good boat landings.

Becher Bay is a broad, semicircular bight on the northeast shore of the island, about 41⁄2 miles long by 11⁄2 miles wide, lying between Skunk and Carrington Points. Northwest Anchorage is in the western part of the bight about 134 miles from Carrington Point; it affords fair shelter in northwesterly weather. A wharf has been built with 16 feet (4.9 m) at its outer end. The best anchorage is in 6 to 7 fathoms (11.0 to 12.8 m) off the end of the wharf. Southeast Anchorage is 12 miles westward from Skunk Point, and affords protection in southeasterly weather in about 6 fathoms (11 m) sandy bottom.

Johnson Lee is an open roadstead immediately eastward of South Point; it affords fair shelter from westerly and northwesterly winds but is dangerous in southerly weather. The anchorage is in the kelp in 5 to 9 fathoms (9.1 to 16.5 m), sandy bottom, with Slay Rock (low, black, with a central peak) bearing between 309° true (WNW. mag.) and 354° true (NNW. mag.); no dangers have been discovered in the kelp. The bottom west of Slay Rock is rocky and dangerous to ground tackle. The Lighthouse Service maintains a boat landing along a vertical faced rock, from which supplies are landed for South Point Light.

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