Off Eatons Neck there are rocky patches having 16 to 21 feet over them, and covering a considerable area. These extend to the northward nearly to the middle of the Sound, and deep-draft vessels beating through should keep in the northern part of the Sound in passing between Norwalk Island Lighthouse and Eatons Neck Lighthouse. Being to the westward of Norwalk Island Lighthouse, keep this lighthouse bearing to the northward of NE. by E. E. until past Stamford Harbor Lighthouse, and then keep Great Captain Island Lighthouse bearing to the northward of W., and do not approach it nearer than mile in passing. When to the westward of Great Captain Island Lighthouse, keep it bearing to the northward of NE. E., and so continue until up to Execution Rocks Lighthouse; this clears the dangers along this part of the north shore, giving them a good berth. When to the westward of Eatons Point, the eastern shore of Huntington Bay for 2 miles to the southward of the point can be approached as close as mile, but give the shores on the western side of the entrance a berth of mile or more, between East Point and Lloyd Point. When past the black bell buoy off Lloyd Point give Center Island Point, the northern point on the west side of Oyster Bay entrance, a berth of at least 14 miles, keeping well to the northward of the black buoy (spar, No. 15) which marks Center Island Reef. The shore to the westward of Center Island Reef buoy (spar, black, No. 15) should not be approached closer than mile until past the black buoy (spar, No. 17) off Matinicock Point; or, at night, go about when Execution Rocks Light bears WSW. W. The eastern shore of Hempstead Harbor should not be approached closer than mile, as the water shoals rapidly within that limit. Give the western shore of this harbor a berth of mile, and give Prospect Point a berth of mile. If you do not desire to beat through to the westward of Execution Rocks Lighthouse, where the room available for beating is much narrowed, good anchorage can be found in Hempstead Harbor. In approaching Execution Rocks Lighthouse, if bound through to the westward, keep this lighthouse bearing from SW. W. to WSW. W. Pass to the southward of this lighthouse, being guided by the buoys marking the limits of Execution Rocks and by the black buoy (spar, No. 21) off Sands Point. To the westward of Execution Rocks Lighthouse, be guided by the buoys and by the directions on page 63. THAMES RIVER AND NEW LONDON HARBOR.* The Thames River flows into the eastern end of Long Island Sound, to the northwestward of the western end of Fishers Island Sound. The entrance forms New London Harbor, the most important harbor of refuge in this part of Long Island Sound. Vessels of deep draft find anchorage here in any weather. The river is buoyed to Norwich, 13 miles above its mouth. A very large drawbridge crosses the river at New London. Its western end is at Winthrop Point (upper part of New London). This bridge carries a double track of the N. Y., N. H. & H. Railroad (Shore Line route). The central span of this bridge is 502 feet, the draw pier is about 75 feet, thus leaving a clear passage over 200 feet wide on each side of the pier. New London, a city on the west bank of the river, 2 miles above the mouth, has considerable trade by water. The average draft of the vessels trading to New London is about 14 feet; 7 to 18 feet can be taken alongside the wharves at low water. Groton, a town on the east bank, opposite New London, has several granite quarries. Norwich, a city at the head of navigation on the Thames River, at its junction with the Shetucket and Yantic rivers, is about 11 miles above New London. The deepest draft going to Norwich is about 13 feet, the usual draft is not more than 10 feet; depths of 8 to 15 feet of water are found alongside the wharves. There is a daily line of steamers running between New York and Norwich when the river is not closed by ice. Thamesville is a suburb of Norwich, about 1 mile below the city, on the west bank. Sailing vessels bound up the river generally take a towboat at New London. Strangers always take a pilot or a towboat. Shown on Coast and Geodetic Survey chart 359, Thames River, Harbor of New London and Approaches, scale price $0.40. The 20,000 lower part of the river and the Harbor of New London are also shown on chart 114, scale price $0.50. See the footnote on page 9. 1 1 80,000' The Entrance to the Thames River, or to New London Harbor, is between Avery Point on the east and Lighthouse Point on the west; its least width is mile, abreast Eastern Point, just inside the entrance. Prominent objects seen from the southward are New London Lighthouse (see page 10), the monument at Fort Griswold on the east bank, and Fort Trumbull on the west bank. Above Fort Trumbull the spires and houses of New London appear. The N. Y., N. H. & H. Railroad bridge, which crosses the river at New London, is a prominent feature. The channel as far up as the U. S. Naval Station is straight, with a least depth of 24 feet, and follows the eastern shore; it is mile wide at the entrance, and contracts gradually to 200 yards abreast the Naval Station; above this the channel is narrow and crooked, with several bars, and, although buoyed, is unfit for strangers. For a distance of 5 miles above New London the channel has a depth of 16 feet and over, and from thence to Norwich its depth is 14 feet. These depths were obtained by dredging, and training walls have been constructed to maintain them. Pine Island Channel, at the entrance, leading in from the eastward close along shore, is often used by those who are well acquainted with its dangers, if they have come through Fishers Island Sound in small vessels. Strangers should never use it. An inshore channel also leads into the entrance from the westward; it is dangerous, is only available for very small vessels, and strangers do not attempt it. Anchorage.-Vessels anchoring in New London Harbor come to at will anywhere in the channel from the mouth of the river up to New London. A good rule is to keep to the eastward of a line drawn from the wharf at the Pequot house (W. bank, near mouth) to Winthrop Point (W. bank, upper part of New London), and to give the eastern shore a berth of 200 yards. Vessels of light draft, 7 feet or less, can anchor in Greens Harbor by keeping 250 yards from the western shore, when abreast the Pequot house, and following the western shore at not less than that distance. Vessels of 12 feet draft or less will find good anchorage in 14 feet water, soft bottom, between Fort Trumbull and the city of New London, favoring the latter. Many vessels anchor off New London. Above New London anchorage is found anywhere in the channel. Pilots are not generally employed by strangers, but if one is desired he may be had by making signal and coming to anchor outside of the entrance until boarded. Strangers bound to Norwich take a pilot at New London, anchoring off the city with signal set until boarded. Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels in foreign trade drawing 9 feet of water and over, if spoken. There are no regular fees for pilotage. Extracts from the laws of Connecticut relating to pilots and pilotage will be found in Appendix I. Towboats will be found at New London, and when likely to be needed will be found near the entrance. Strangers entering do not require a towboat unless with a head wind and contrary tide. Vessels bound up the river to Norwich generally take a towboat at New London. Quarantine regulations for New London are prescribed as necessary by the local board of health (see Appendix I). Quarantine is in force for all vessels arriving from foreign ports, and from April 1 to November 1 for vessels from domestic ports south of the capes of Virginia and from the British provinces; vessels subject to inspection must anchor with New London Lighthouse bearing to the northward of W. until boarded by the health officer. At all seasons vessels from infected ports or having sickness on board must anchor outside the same limit until boarded by the health officer. The foreign trade of New London being small, the health officer seldom has occasion to board vessels. His fee for this service when performed is $5.00. The Marine Hospital at Staten Island, N. Y., is the nearest one. Seamen entitled to treatment are furnished transportation to it when necessary; otherwise they are treated by an acting assistant surgeon of the Marine-Hospital Service at New London, quarters, subsistence, and nursing being provided when required (see Appendix III). Harbor regulations.-No special harbor regulations are in force for New London Harbor, except that a clear passage across the river must be left for the ferry between New London and Groton; this is above the usual anchorage. The harbor master has authority to berth vessels, shifting them if necessary, but occasion for doing so seldom arises (see Appendix I). Supplies.-Coal for steamers can be had alongside the wharves at New London and at Norwich, or in lighters in the stream at New London. Water can be obtained from water boats at New London, or alongside the wharves at New London and at Norwich; provisions and ship-chandler's stores at New London and at Norwich. New London is available as a coaling port for large vessels; to the eastward the nearest one for such vessels is Newport, R. I., to the westward, New York. Repairs to vessels and to machinery of steamers can be made in New London, where there are 4 marine railways; the largest has a capacity of about 600 tons (register tonnage), and can haul out a vessel of 175 feet keel. Noank is the nearest place where larger vessels can be hauled out (see page 47). Wind signals are displayed from a staff on the custom-house, and can be seen by vessels at anchor in the harbor. Buoy depot. One of the depots of the Third Lighthouse District (see page 10) is at the custom-house wharf, New London. Communication between New York and New London is by two lines of steamers and by the N. Y., N. H. & H. Railroad. The northern division of the Vermont Central Railroad makes northern connections. Ice does not endanger navigation; it seldom forms below the U. S. Naval Station. Above the Naval Station ice obstructs navigation about two months each year (see also page 52). Freshets usually occur in the river during February and March. Currents. The tidal currents follow the general direction of the channel and are not usually strong. During freshets, and when the river is high, the resulting current sometimes has considerable velocity, and vessels are often embarrassed in light winds, after getting in past the lighthouse, by a strong surface current setting out even on the flood. Tides. The mean rise and fall of tides at New London is 2.4 feet. The mean high-water lunitidal interval is 9h. 26m., and mean low-water lunitidal interval is 3h. 32m. (see also page 22). Daily predictions for New London are given in the tide tables published annually by the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. For variation of the compass see page 24. The observations for currents were made, as far as possible, when the influence of the wind was small. The bearings are magnetic; the drift, in nautical miles per hour. SAILING DIRECTIONS, NEW LONDON HARBOR. The following directions, except where otherwise stated, are good either in the daytime. or at night for vessels of 20 feet draft. Strangers of deeper draft should take a pilot. Vessels may pass 1. Approaching from the Eastward.-I. Having come through The Race.—Directions for approaching The Race are given on pages 53 and 54. either to the northward or to the southward of Race Rock Lighthouse, giving it a berth of at least 150 yards and being careful not to be swept closer by the tidal current. When through The Race haul to the northward and steer for New London Lighthouse on any bearing from N. E. to NNW., keeping between these limits. This leads to the eastward of Sarah Ledge buoy and to the westward of Black Ledge beacon and Southwest Ledge buoy; several other buoys farther to the eastward and to the westward are also passed. Or, with Race Rock Lighthouse bearing S. by E., directly astern, steer N. by W. for New London Lighthouse, directly ahead, keeping on this line. Then proceed as directed in section 2. The tidal currents have considerable velocity, and allowance must be made for them. Remarks. Standing for the entrance, with New London Lighthouse ahead as directed, there will be seen on the starboard bow the high granite monument at Groton, opposite New London and Black Ledge beacon; farther to the eastward are Seaflower Reef beacon and North Dumpling Lighthouse at the western end of Fishers Island Sound, and showing open to the northward of Fishers Island. Broad off the port bow Bartlett Reef Light-vessel (about 4 miles NW. by W. from Race Rock Lighthouse) will be made. When within 2 miles of New London Lighthouse the buoys marking the dangers on both sides of the entrance will be readily picked up by day. Dangers.-Sarah Ledge, marked by a buoy (bell, red and black horizontal stripes) has 15 feet of water over it, and is about 1 miles S. by W. from New London Lighthouse; the buoy is on the southern side of the ledge, which is about 80 yards long, N. and S. To the southwestward and to the northwestward of Sarah Ledge buoy are other buoys marking dangers mentioned under section 1 A, following. Black Ledge, to the eastward of the course, is marked by a large granite beacon (with red spindle, having double-cone cage), by a red buoy (nun, No. 2) at its southwestern end, and by a black buoy (spar, No. 1, colored and numbered as a Pine Island channel buoy) on its northern side. The ledge has 2 to 17 feet of water over it and extends mile N. and S. and mile E. and W. The beacon is on the western part of the ledge and is a little over 1 mile SE. S. from New London Lighthouse. Southwest Ledge, to the eastward of the course, is marked by a buoy (nun, red and black horizontal stripes), has 7 feet of water over it, and is about 150 yards long NE. by N. and SW. by S.; it lies 3 mile SSE. E. from New London Lighthouse. II. Having come through Fishers Island Sound.-Directions for Fishers Island Sound are given on pages 42-44. When Seaflower Reef beacon bears N., distant about & mile, steer NW. by W. W., with North Dumpling Lighthouse astern, and pass over mile to the southward of Black Ledge beacon. Leave the buoy (nun, red, No. 2) on SW. point of Black Ledge and also Southwest Ledge buoy (nun, red and black horizontal stripes) about 400 yards on the starboard hand. When New London Lighthouse bears N. by W., steer N. E.; round Southwest Ledge buoy, giving it a good berth on the starboard hand; standing to the northward, follow the directions of section 2. The tidal currents have considerable velocity. Remarks. On the NW. by W. W. course Black Ledge beacon, New London Lighthouse, and the entrance to the harbor will be a little on the starboard bow. To the eastward, Pine Island and Groton monument will show, the latter over the land. On the port bow Bartlett Reef Light-vessel should be made; this light-vessel bears W. S., distant nearly 4 miles from Seaflower Reef beacon. The dangers to be considered, etc., have been described under paragraph I immediately preceding. 1 A. Approaching from the Westward.-I. Intending to go to the Southward of outlying dangers.-Passing about 250 yards to the southward of Bartlett Reef Light-vessel, steer NE. by E. E., keeping Black Ledge beacon on the port bow; this course leads about 400 yards to the southward of Rapid Rock buoy (spar, red and black horizontal stripes), and the same distance to the southward of Sarah Ledge buoy (bell, red and black horizontal stripes). When the entrance is well opened out, or when New London Lighthouse bears to the westward of N., haul to the northward and keep the lighthouse bearing between N. E. and NNW., until abreast Black Ledge beacon and Southwest Ledge buoy (nun, red and black horizontal stripes) on the starboard hand. Pass to the westward of Southwest Ledge buoy and proceed as directed in section 2 following. Remarks. When 250 yards to the southward of Bartlett Reef Light-vessel, heading NE. by E. E., Seaflower Reef beacon and North Dumpling Lighthouse will be on the starboard bow, Fishers Island to the southward of this lighthouse, and Race Rock Lighthouse just to the southward of Fishers Island. Black Ledge beacon will be a little on the port bow, and New London Lighthouse, to the northward and westward of the beacon, will be broad off the port bow. As Black Ledge beacon is approached the harbor will open out to the eastward of New London Lighthouse. At Night. On the NE. by E. E. course the vessel will be crossing the red sector in new London light. Some time before the light bears N. E. it will have the appearance of being half red and half white, or it may appear as if it is all white. To be sure that the vessel is in the white rays of the light it should bear to the northward of N. E. When New London Lighthouse bears N. a N. by E. course should lead fair into the entrance of the river. Dangers.-Extensive Shoals make out from and inclose Goshen Point, to the northeastward of Bartlett Reef Light-vessel and to the southwestward of New London Lighthouse, about midway between the two. Black buoys Nos. 1, 3, and 5 mark the southern edge. Rapid Rock and Sarah Ledge, both buoyed, are outlying dangers to the southward and southeastward of these shoals. The course leads to the southward of all these dangers. Rapid Rock, marked by a buoy (spar, red and black horizontal stripes), has 13 feet of water and lies nearly mile SSE. from Goshen Point. Sarah Ledge, Southwest Ledge, and Black Ledge are described under section 1 preceding. II. Passing North of Rapid Rock and Sarah Ledge.-The following directions are available by day, at any stage of the tide, for vessels drawing 15 feet or less. Pass Bartlett Reef Light-vessel close-to, and when past this light-vessel bring it to bear SW. W. over the stern and make good the course NE. E., keeping the bearing. This course continued for 1 miles from the light-vessel leads well to the southward of Little Goshen Reef buoy (spar, black, No. 1), and leads fair between Goshen Ledge buoy (spar, black, No. 3) and Rapid Rock buoy (spar, red and black horizontal stripes); continued for § mile farther, the NE. E. course leads fair between the black buoy (spar, No. 5) marking à ledge off Cormorant Rock and the buoy (bell, red and black horizontal stripes) marking Sarah Ledge. When up with Sarah Ledge haul to the northward, course about NE. by N., and leave Southwest Ledge buoy (nun, red and black horizontal stripes) about mile on the starboard hand, proceeding as directed in section 2 following. The tidal currents have considerable velocity and allowance must be made for them. In smooth water it is probable that the bell buoy on Sarah Ledge will not ring. Dangers. Note the descriptions of dangers, etc., under paragraph I preceding. On the NE. & E. course Rapid Rock and Sarah Ledge are left on the starboard hand. The shoals off Goshen Point are left on the port hand; Little Goshen Reef, Goshen Ledge, Cormorant Rock, and the ledge off it are parts of these shoals. Little Goshen Reef, marked near its southern end by a buoy (spar, black, No. 1), has a least depth of 24 feet; the buoy is in 18 feet of water and is nearly 14 miles NE. from Bartlett Reef Light-vessel. Goshen Ledge, marked at its southern end by a buoy (spar, black, No. 3), has 10 feet of water over it, and is nearly mile SSE. from Goshen Point. Cormorant Rock, showing out of water, is mile E. † §. from Goshen Point. A buoy (spar, black, No. 5) is placed mile ESE. from Cormorant Rock; the buoy is in 18 feet of water and marks the eastern end of ledge. 2. Entering and Proceeding up the River.-When New London Lighthouse is about mile distant, Black Ledge beacon and Southwest Ledge buoy (nun, red and black horizontal stripes) will be in range on the starboard hand bearing about E. by S. Now shape the course so as to pass about to mile to the eastward of the lighthouse (or, go midway between the lighthouse and the eastern shore) and stand up the river, course about N. E., favoring the eastern shore but giving it a berth of 200 yards. Anchor at discretion. Consult "Anchorage" and "Quarantine Regulations," page 69. If bound to the Naval Station, favor the eastern shore and be guided by the chart. Remarks.-Frank Ledge buoy (spar, red and black horizontal stripes), to the northward of Black Ledge, is on the starboard hand, and nearly § mile beyond it is Black Rock, an islet lying off the eastern shore. When fair between New London Lighthouse and Black Rock, heading about N. E., the monument at Groton, opposite New London, will be a little on the starboard bow. Fort Trumbull, with the city of New London beyond, will be a little on the port bow. The railroad drawbridge will show prominently right ahead. Greens Harbor will show open to the southward and southwestward of Fort Trumbull; several small islands and rocks extend to the southward in a broken line from the fort. Dangers. Frank Ledge, marked by a buoy (spar, red and black horizontal stripes), is small, has a least depth of 13 feet over it, and is § mile NNW. Northerly from Black Ledge beacon. Black Rock is a high rock, out of water, lying nearly mile SSE. from Eastern Point. A rock with 3 feet over it lies about 200 yards NW. by W. from the western end of Black Rock; just outside the depth is 18 feet or more. The western shore, for mile to the southward and the same distance to the northward of New London Lighthouse, has a number of scattered rocky heads; all of them will be avoided by giving the shore in this vicinity a berth of 400 yards. Farther to the northward, but to the southward of Fort Trumbull and to the westward of the channel, are Hog Back, White Rock, Goose and Powder islands, and Melton Ledge. Hog Back, a small rocky ledge in Greens Harbor, marked by black buoy, No. 5, has a depth of foot, and lies about & mile S. W. from the southeastern end of Fort Trumbull. buoy. White Rock, an islet, lies about 200 yards NE. from Hog Back and about 350 yards SSW. from Melton Ledge Melton Ledge, marked by a buoy (spar, black, No. 7), has foot of water over it, and is about 400 yards SSE. E. from the southeastern end of Fort Trumbull and about 150 yards to the eastward of Powder Island. Powder Island and Goose Island, both small, are to the south ward of Fort Trumbull and close in with the northern shore of Greens Harbor. |