MANHASSET HARBOR.*

Manhasset Harbor, often called Cow Bay, makes into the north shore of Long Island at the western end of the Sound. The entrance is about 14 miles to the westward of Sands Point Lighthouse, and lies between Barkerg Point on the east and Hewlett Point on the west. It affords shelter for light-draft vessels, but is of little commercial importance; oysters cultivated in the bay, and sand taken from the bluffs and towed to New York in barges, comprise the cargoes carried.

Port Washington is a village at the head of the bight in the eastern part of the bay.

Manhasset is a village at the head of the bay; vessels of less than 6 feet draft can go there at high water; at low water this part of the bay is bare for mile from its head.

Anchorage in from 18 to 24 feet of water, sheltered against easterly winds, is found just inside and to the westward of Barker Point; the depth in the western half of the entrance is 10 to 18 feet. Vessels will find 13 to 15 feet water mile to the southward of Barker Point, with shoaler water nearer the eastern shore. Vessels of 8 feet draft or less will find shelter from all winds mile SSE. from Plum Point; a little farther to the eastward are flats over which the depth is but 6 feet. Vessels drawing less than 8 feet can also anchor in 10 to 12 feet of water between Mott Point and Mitchell Bluff. The bottom is soft mud in all parts of the bay. Tides. See table, page 22.

The tidal currents are not of sufficient velocity to affect navigation. Ice closes the bay about two months each winter.

SAILING DIRECTIONS, MANHASSET HARBOR.

The following directions are available for vessels drawing 10 feet or less, except as specially noted:

1.

From the Eastward.-Following the directions for Long Island Sound, Execution Rocks to Throgs Neck, page 63, until past Gangway Rock buoy (spar, black, No. 23), and when the high brick tower on Davids Island bears NNW. steer SSE., and when past Barkers Point anchor at discretion, according to draft. If drawing 8 feet or less, desiring to stand well in, continue the SSE. course past Plum Point, giving the shore of the point a berth of at least 200 yards, and when approaching Mott Point give the western shore a berth of mile, and when nearly up to the point stand to the eastward and anchor in 10 to 14 feet water.

Remarks.--On the SSE. course Mott Point (low, wooded, the farthest land seen on the western shore of the bay) will be made right ahead. Plum Point (low sand spit extending to the southward, about 1 mile south of Barker Point) should be left about 220 yards on the port hand. On the south shore of the bight, to the eastward of Plum Point, is the village of Port Washington.

The eastern part of the bay has the best water from Barker Point until below Plum Point.

Toward the Northern shore of the bight, east of Plum Point, the water is shoal. From 10 to 14 feet will be found 300 to 1,200 yards east of Mott Point.

Dangers.-Gangway Rock, marked by a buoy (spar, black, No. 23), is at the northern extremity of a broken line of rocks and shoal water extending over mile in a NNW. W. direction from Barker Point. Success Rock, marked by a fed spindle, is one of this broken line of rocks. These dangers are left on the port hand in entering. After passing to the northward and westward of Gangway Rock buoy, give Barker Point a berth of at least 250 yards in entering.

1 A. From the Westward. Leave Stepping Stones Lighthouse 300 yards on the

starboard hand and steer NE. E., passing about mile to the northward of Hewlett Point. When abreast the middle of the entrance stand into the bay, keeping the eastern shore the best aboard, and anchor as directed in entering from the eastward.

Remarks. On the NE. E. course Sands Point Lighthouse will be a little on the starboard bow, and the spindle on Success Rock should be about in range with it. Hewlett Point (steep, moderately high, and backed by woods) will be on the starboard bow.

Dangers.--Shoal water makes out about 350 yards to the northward from Hewlett Point; the point should receive a berth of not less than 400 yards, and in entering the bay leave this point at least & mile on the starboard hand.

Other dangers have been mentioned under section 1.

* Shown on Coast and Geodetic Survey charts 272, scale 10,000; 116, scale

1

1

80,000; price of each $0.50.

CITY ISLAND HARBOR (HART ISLAND ROADS).*

Hart Island Roads, as it is generally called, lies in the western end of Long Island Sound, about 24 miles southwest from Execution Rocks Lighthouse. This anchorage, between Hart Island on the east and City Island on the west, is approached from the southward. It is well sheltered against easterly and westerly gales. This is a most important anchorage, and is a great resort for coasters. Besides serving as a harbor of refuge, it is often used by vessels desiring pilots or towboats, or delayed by unfavorable winds or other causes, or waiting for orders.

Hart Island, on the eastern side of the harbor, is of no commercial importance; there are a number of red buildings, resembling barracks, on its southern end. (Reformatories)

City Island is nearly 1 miles long in a N. and S. direction, and at its northern end is connected with the mainland by a drawbridge. Its population is engaged principally in shipbuilding and dredging for oysters; there is very little commerce.

Anchorage. The usual anchorage for vessels of deep draft, and those waiting for orders, is to the southeastward of City Island, to the southward of a line drawn from the south end of Hart Island to the south end of City Island.

Vessels of 12 to 16 feet draft anchor to the southward of a line drawn from the southern end of the houses on Hart Island to Piepgrass dock (the most southern one on the eastern side of City Island). Vessels of light draft, 8 to 12 feet, can anchor anywhere to the southward of a line drawn from the northernmost dock on Hart Island to Town dock on City Island.

The limits here indicated are not fixed by regulation, but are based upon the depth of water in different parts of the roads, and are used locally as a convenient guide.

The western shore of Hart Island should not be approached closer than 120 yards. The southern shore of City Island can be approached to within 120 yards; the eastern side of City Island, south of Piepgrass dock, should be given a berth of 150 yards; above Piepgrass dock keep well to the eastward of a line running through the ends of the wharves. The bottom is soft.

Pilots.-City Island is one of the headquarters for East River and Sound pilots. Pilots for small harbors on the Connecticut and Long Island shores, as far east as Great Captain Island, can also be found here.

Towboats.-Vessels desiring a towboat, and not having met with one before reaching City Island, can telegraph to New York from the Signal Service station, should any unusual conditions make it necessary, and get a towboat in one and one-half hours. Ordinarily there is no difficulty in getting a towboat in this part of the Sound or in East River.

U. S. Weather Bureau display station.-Wind signals are displayed from a staff on the cupola of a brown house near the southern end of City Island. Vessels passing City Island are reported, by direct wire, at the Maritime Exchange, New York City, and to the Associated Press. Foreign vessels, if their signal letters are flying while between Sands Point and the Stepping Stones, will be reported at the Maritime Exchange as soon as their letters are made out. Foreign steamers expected to arrive, passing City Island in the night, will be reported if they give four blasts on the steam whistle as they pass the island. Masters of vessels coming to the roads for orders can communicate with their consignees or owners by telegraph from the signal station. (See also "Whitestone," under heading "East River.")

Supplies. Provisions and ship-chandler's stores can be had at City Island. Water can be had from water boats and alongside of the dock.

Repairs. Repairs to vessels and to the machinery of steamers can be made at City Island. There are five marine railways; the largest railway is capable of hauling out a vessel of about 800 tons.

Quarantine. The quarantine regulations are the same as for the port of New York. The headquarters of the health officer for the port of New York is at Staten Island. (See "Quarantine," page 121, and consult Appendix I.)

Tides. The mean rise and fall of the tides is 7.4 feet; high and low water occur the same time as at Willets Point. For other tidal data see page 22.

Ice. In the winter drift ice sometimes interferes with navigation to the extent that sailing vessels are obliged to take a towboat.

Description of Lighthouses and other general matters will be found on pages 9-24; see also pages 48-53.

*Shown on Coast and Geodetic Survey charts 272, scale.

1 10,000

; 116, scale

1
; price of each $0.50.
80,000

1.

SAILING DIRECTIONS, CITY ISLAND HARBOR.

From the Eastward. In approaching, follow the directions given for Long Island Sound. When the harbor is opened out, head to the northward and anchor, according to draft, between Hart and City islands (see "Anchorage" on the preceding page).

Remarks.-The southern end of Hart Island should receive a berth of at least 200 yards when to the eastward of it and 150 yards when to the southward. On passing the southern point of Hart Island a small, dark, rocky islet (Rat Island) will be seen lying nearly midway between Hart and City islands, in the northern part of the harbor. High Island is a small island, the highest part of which, near its eastern end, has a small hut near the top; this island is backed by a few trees, and lies about 350 yards NE. of the northern end of City Island. The hut on High Island in range with Rat Island leads through a channel with 21 feet of water to an excellent anchorage in 20 to 30 feet water, about 450 yards E. by N. from the upper wharf on City Island.

1 A.

From the Westward.-Round Throgs Neck and steer N. by E. E., heading fair between Hart and City islands. Anchor, according to draft, between the islands (see "Anchorage" on the preceding page).

Remarks. Stepping Stones Lighthouse should be left at least 200 yards on the starboard hand.

Big Tom, a rock lying 600 yards WSW. 4 W. from the southern point of City Island, is awash at low water, and is marked near its southern end by a red buoy (spar, No. 32); this buoy should be left at least 700 yards on the port hand.

Caution. Large vessels frequently anchor to the southeastward of City Island. Such vessels should keep clear of Deep Reef. This is a small rocky patch with about 5 fathoms of water over it and 9 to 13 fathoms all around it. The marks for this spot are the northern wharf on the east side of City Island in range with the little hut on High Island, and the sea wall on the southern end of City Island in range with a dark church spire in Westchester. A vessel at anchor with her cable across this reef is apt to lose her anchor if caught in a gale.

EAST CHESTER BAY.*

East Chester Bay is a shallow bay, full of oyster beds, the entrance to which lies between City Island and Throgs Neck. Only vessels of light draft (less than 8 feet) can lie afloat in the bay at low water. East Chester Creek, or Hutchinson River, is a shallow stream emptying into the head of the bay. Under Government appropriations a channel has been dredged from the entrance of the river to a point 3,000 feet above Lockwoods with a depth of 9 feet at mean high water. Vessels of 8 feet draft, carrying coal and lumber, go up as far as Lockwoods, lying in the mud at low water while unloading. Strangers generally take a pilot; one can be had at City Island. The usual anchorage for vessels waiting for a tide or a fair wind is to the southwestward of City Island, south of Big Tom buoy (spar, red, No. 32).

Tides. See heading "City Island Harbor."

Sailing directions would not be of practical use; the dredged channel is only 90 to 100 feet wide in some places.

LITTLE NECK BAY.*

Little Neck Bay makes into the north shore of Long Island at the eastern end of the East River, where the latter joins Long Island Sound. The bay is about 2 miles long, with an average width of about mile. Its eastern point at the entrance is Elm Point, which is about mile southeast of the Stepping Stones Lighthouse, and on the western side of the entrance is Willets Point, marked by a fortification and barracks (see “Caution,” page 14). The depth of water decreases from 9 feet abreast of Willets Point, leaving the upper part of the bay bare at low water. Vessels bound up to the village of Little Neck can only go up at high water; 5 feet is

their greatest draft.

Strangers bound up to the wharf at the head of the creek require some one acquainted with the locality to pilot them. Pilots will be found at City Island. The entire bay is closed by ice during the winter.

EAST RIVER

is the name given to the narrow strait which connects Long Island Sound with New York Bay and separates

Shown on Coast and Geodetic Survey charts 272, scale

1

10, 000; 116, scale

1

80,000; price of each $0.50.

1

80,000'

price $0.50; 3695, Hell Gate and East River from Blackwells Island to Lawrence Point, scale price, $0.50; 273, Throgs Neck to 5,000' Randall Island, scale price $0.50. Shown, also, in whole or in part, on charts 869, New York Bay and Harbor, scale 10,000' 1 1 116, Long Island Sound, Stratford Shoal to New York, scale 80,000'

1

+Shown on the following Coast and Geodetic Survey charts: 3694, Hudson and East rivers, W. 67th street to Blackwells Island, scale 10,000

1

1

40,000'

price $0.50; 120, New York Bay and Harbor, scale

price $0.75; price $0.50.

Long Island from Manhattan Island (borough of Manhattan). At its eastern end the river is about mile wide between Throgs Neck and Willets Point, and thence its course is to the westward and southwestward for about 14 miles, being in many places extremely narrow, and in no place more than 1 mile wide. Its channel is much obstructed by rocks and islands and the current runs with great velocity, especially in the narrow passage between Wards Island and Hallets Point, known as Hell Gate. Strangers in sailing vessels should not attempt to pass through Hell Gate without a pilot or towboat.

Descriptions of lighthouses, with other general matters, will be found on pages 9-24; consult also pages 48-53. The quarantine regulations for East River are the same as for the Port of New York. The headquarters of the health officer for the Port of New York is at Southfield, Staten Island, just above Fort Wadsworth (see Appendix I).

Throgs Neck, on the north shore, at the eastern entrance to the East River, is opposite Willets Point (large granite fort near water's edge). At the southern end of the neck is Throgs Neck Lighthouse (see “Table of Lights," page 14), and back of it is a granite fort (Fort Schuyler). During thick weather vessels bound into the East River frequently anchor to the eastward and northeastward of the lighthouse, within hearing distance of the fog bell (1 blow every 15 seconds), or they round the neck and anchor on Hammond Flats (see "Anchorages," East River). In winter there is much drift ice off Throgs Neck at times, but it seldom prevents vessels from being towed through the East River.

Caution. On the walls of the granite fort on Willets Point is the following notice: "Torpedoes! Don't

anchor."

Whitestone is on the south shore, 1 mile to the westward of Throgs Neck. The New York Herald has a telegraph and boarding station at the landing. Vessels passing through the river are spoken by a boat and reported; square-rigged vessels are boarded and reported. At the railway depot is a telegraph office and also a telephone station.

On Whitestone Point, to the westward of Whitestone, is a fixed white post light and fog bell (see "Table of Lights," page 14).

Pilots for the East River and Long Island Sound can be found at Whitestone, and towboats can be had from New York by telegraphing. (See also "Anchorages.")

College Point is on the south shore, 14 miles to the westward of Whitestone, A ferry runs from here to 99th street, New York. Other steamers also make trips to New York. There is 11 feet of water at the end of the wharf, where coal and water for tugs or other small steamers can be obtained. College Point has some trade; 8 to 10 feet of water can be carried in at low water; 9 feet is found alongside the principal wharves; 12 feet is deepest draft entering.

Strangers bound to College Point from the eastward generally take a pilot or a towboat at City Island or at Whitestone; if from the westward, a towboat is generally taken at New York.

Flushing Bay, on the south shore, between College Point on the east and Sandford Point on the west, is a shallow bay, 13 miles long in a NNW. and SSE. direction, and 1 mile wide between the points at the entrance, narrowing gradually to mile at its head.

Under supervision of United States Army Engineers, a channel about 100 feet wide and 6 feet deep was dredged across the flats to the entrance of Flushing Creek; a dike built of piles driven in the mud runs along the western side of the dredged channel for a distance of 4,663 feet, but a part of the northern end of the dike was destroyed by ice and has not been rebuilt. A fixed red light is shown from a lantern suspended from a mast on the north end of the dike. The depth in the channel is maintained by dredging.

Flushing Creek, a narrow, crooked stream, empties into the head of the bay. Flushing, a village having some trade in coal, lumber, and building material, is about mile above the entrance on the east bank of Flushing Creek. There is a line of steamers running from Flushing to New York.

The average draft of vessels bound to Flushing is 8 feet; draft that enters at low water, 5 feet; there is from 3 to 10 feet of water alongside the wharves.

White Pot Landing is at the head of navigation on Flushing Creek; only small light-draft vessels go up to the landing. Strongs road bridge crosses the creek at Flushing; about mile farther up the railroad bridge crosses, and 1 mile above the railroad bridge is a narrow road bridge; the estimated width of draws in these bridges is about 30 feet.

Strangers bound to Flushing take a pilot or a towboat; if of over 50 tons they take a towboat. Pilots can be had at City Island, at Whitestone, or at New York city. Towboats can be found in the East River or at Flushing.

In the winter ice obstructs navigation, generally during January and February, and sometimes Flushing Bay is frozen over from its head to College Point.

8340- -16

Rikers Island lies 18 miles to the westward of College Point. The main channel passes to the northward of this island. A channel leads across the entrance of Flushing Bay south of Rikers Island and south of South Brother Island, joining the main channel of East River between South Brother Island and Lawrence Point, where it is marked by several buoys and 2 post lights (which also serve as day beacons), one at Lawrence Point Ledge, just south of the channel, and the other on South Brother Ledge, near the eastern edge of the channel. The channel has a depth of 18 feet, but there are several spots with only 8 and 9 feet over them, and others with 11 to 16 feet. Strangers should not attempt to pass through south of Rikers Island.

North Brother Island lies NW. by W. W. from the northern end of Rikers Island, distant mile; North Brother Lighthouse (see table, page 14) is on its southwestern end. The channel with best water leads north of this island. A channel with a least depth of 15 feet at low water leads south of the island, between it and South Brother Island. This latter channel is the one most used by vessels, as it is the more direct.

Port Morris lies northwest from North and South Brother islands.

Randall Island is the island to the south westward of Port Morris, Bronx Kills, a narrow, shallow body of water separating them. The house of refuge and other municipal buildings are scattered over the island. Sunken Meadow, marked on its eastern side by a post light, lies to the eastward of the island, and is separated from it by a body of water about 120 yards wide.

Lawrence Point lies on the eastern side of the East River channel opposite Randall Island.

Wards Island lies to the southward of Randall Island and Sunken Meadow, and is separated from them by Little Hell Gate, a narrow and shoal body of water leading into Harlem River. The insane asylum and emigrants' and homeopathic hospitals are located on this island.

Hallets Point is to the southward of Wards Island. A light is shown and fog bell rung from a pyramidal wooden tower on the northern end of the point (see table, page 14, Hell Gate Post light). The main channel leads close past this point. Pot Cove is the bight to the eastward of Hallets Point.

Hell Gate is the name of the part of East River south of Wards Island and north of the northern end of Blackwells Island. The great velocity of the tidal currents and the irregularity of their direction make this part of the river dangerous for sailing vessels to navigate. Under the supervision of the United States Army Engineers, the most dangerous rocks in the channel have been removed or cut down so as to have from 18 to 23 feet over them at low water, and there is now a clear channel over 140 yards wide with a least depth of 26 feet, and 300 yards wide with a depth of 18 feet.

Flood Rock lies about 300 yards W. N. from the post light on Hallets Point. The least water over it is 18 feet.

Mill Rock lies to the northwestward of Hallets Point and is protected by a sea wall. The shore of Astoria, to the southward of Hallets Point, is rocky but has deep water 30 yards outside the wharf line.

Blackwells Island divides East River, forming two channels, one on the east side of the island and one on the west; the western channel is the wider and has the better water. The northern end of the island is marked by a lighthouse; a sea wall is built along on both sides to its southern end. Off the southern end is Mano'-War Rock (spindle, red lantern at night).

Opposite the eastern side of Blackwells Island are the villages of Astoria and Ravenswood (all a part of New York City), and opposite the western side is the borough of Manhattan. The insane asylum for women, workhouse, almshouse, penitentiary, and charity hospital buildings are located on this island.

Newtown Creek empties into the East River on the eastern shore, about mile to the southward of the southern end of Blackwells Island. Improvements are in progress under the supervision of the United States Engineers. In 1899 a channel with a depth of 18 feet and width of 125 feet had been dredged to the head of the creek, and to Grand street bridge on the East Branch, and 900 feet up the West Branch.

The United States Navy Yard, on Wallabout Bay, is on the south shore below Newtown Creek, where the East River makes a bend to the westward.

Suspension Bridge crosses the East River 1 mile below the navy yard. The height of this bridge above mean high water is 135 feet at the center and 119 feet at the piers. Allowing for changes of temperature, a masted vessel when passing under the bridge should not depend on a greater height than 130 feet, at mean high water, for a width of about 400 feet at the center of the bridge.

The Battery is the southernmost point of the borough of Manhattan. It is a small grassy park with tall trees, and faced on the water side by a sea wall. The barge office and custom house landing are to the eastward of the park on the East River, and Castle Garden and the building of the New York Department of Docks to the westward of the park on the Hudson River (North River).

Governors Island lies in the middle of the East River, where it joins the Upper bay. Fort Columbus and the fortifications and buildings belonging to it cover the entire island. A post light (2 red lights at night) and