Bath Creek empties into Pamlico River from northward, 32 miles northwestward of Rumley Marsh Light. A draft of 62 feet (1.9 m) can be taken to the village of Bath, about 134 miles above its mouth, and a draft of 5 feet (1.5 m) can be taken about 4 miles above the entrance. A drawbridge, horizontal clearance of 40 feet (12.2 m), crosses the creek at the upper end of Bath. The most difficult place in the channel to Bath is in the narrowest part of the entrance, where a shoal which shows by the grass on it extends halfway across from the west side and rises abruptly from the channel. The eastern end of this shoal is marked by a lighted beacon. There is a depth of 9 feet (2.7 m) at the dock below the bridge, and small boats can lie in 612 feet (2.0 m) alongside the bulkhead above the bridge. Gasoline and some supplies are available at Bath.

Bayview is a modern pleasure resort on the north bank of Pamlico River, about 1 mile below Bath Creek and about 20 miles by highway from Washington. There is a hotel, and good communications are maintained with interior cities. The nearest railway is at Washington. Gasoline and some supplies may be obtained at Bayview. Yachts of any size can come alongside the wharf. A pavilion built on the wharf is a prominent object.

Blount Creek empties into Pamlico River from southward, 21⁄2 miles westward of Mauls Point Light. A draft of 6 feet (1.8 m) can be taken into the creek, and 4 feet (1.2 m) can be taken about 4 miles above the drawbridge which crosses about 3 mile above the entrance.

Tides.-There are practically no tides, the variations in water level being due principally to winds. Easterly winds cause high water and westerly winds low water, the maximum variation with heavy gales amounting to about 2 feet (0.6 m) above or below the normal in the lower part of the river and 3 or 4 feet (0.9 or 1.2 m), or even more at Washington. Freshets of 10 to 20 feet (3.0 to 6.1 m) occur in the upper reaches of the river above Washington but have little effect at and below the town.

DIRECTIONS, PAMLICO RIVER

From Pamlico Sound to Washington (charts 1231, 537).-Directions from Croatan Sound through Pamlico Sound are given on page From a position about 100 yards off Bluff Shoal Slue Buoy No. 1 steer 271° true (W. 5% N. mag.) for 11 miles, passing about 200 yards south of Lower Middle Ground Buoy (horizontally striped buoy at the southeasterly end of Lower Middle), to a position abeam of and 34 mile south of Inner Middle Ground Light.

Then steer 306° true (NW. % W. mag.) for 915 miles to a position about 1/2 mile northeastward of Pamlico Point Light and off Pamlico Point Bell Buoy No. 1.

Then steer 29912° true (NW. % W. mag.) for 6 miles to a position 200 yards southeastward of Wade Point Junction Lighted Buoy. From this position steer 284° true (WNW. 14 W. mag.) for 105% miles to a position 300 yards southward of Rumley Marsh Light. Then steer 292° true (NW. by W. 12 W. mag.) for 44 miles to a position 1/4 mile northward of Core Point Shoal Buoy No. 5 (black can) off Core Point.

Then steer 286° true (WNW. 1 W. mag.) for nearly 334 miles to a position 200 yards north of Mauls Point Light. From a position 200 yards north of Mauls Point Light steer 279° true (WNW. 34 W. mag.) for 0.8 mile until up to Channel Buoy No. 6.

Channel Buoy No. 6 marks the entrance to the dredged channel to Washington. The channel has a controlling depth of 12 feet (3.7 m) and is well marked by buoys and lights. The chart is the best guide.

When up to the draw of the railroad bridge at Washington, pass preferably through the eastern opening, and continue in mid-channel to the wharves, which should be followed at a distance of about 150 feet. Vessels should go to the wharves.

A dredged channel leads eastward from the main channel, 300 yards above Rodman Point Shoal Light, thence parallel to the shore to the dock of the chemical factory near Austin Point. The entrance to this channel is marked by Fertilizer Works Channel Buoy No. 10 (red spar), located at the south side of the junction with the main channel.

DIRECTIONS, PUNGO RIVER

Pamlico River to Belhaven (charts 1231, 3253).-Having followed the directions from Pamlico River above, pass 1/2 mile northeastward of Pamlico Point Light and off Pamlico Point Bell Buoy No. 1 and steer 312° true (NW. % N. mag.) for 72 miles to a position about 2 mile westward of Pungo River Buoy No. 2. Then steer 347° true (N. 34 W. mag.) for 1.6 miles to a position 200 yards east of Pungo River Light No. 3 off Grassy Point.

If coming down Pamlico River, pass southward and eastward of Wade Point Junction Lighted Buoy and steer 347° true (N. 34 W. mag.) for 334 miles to a position about 200 yards east of Pungo River Light No. 3 off Grassy Point.

Steer 340° true (N. by W. 3% W. mag.) to a position about 250 yards west of Pungo River Buoy No. 4; thence 343° true (N. by W. 1 W. mag.) to a position 100 yards east of Pungo River No. 5; thence 7° true (N. by E. mag.) to a position 250 yards to the east of Pungo River Light No. 7.

From a position 250 yards east of Pungo River Light No. 7 steer 330° true (NNW. 14 W. mag.) to a position 300 yards to the westward of Pungo River Bouy No. 8; thence with Woodstock Point astern, stand up the channel on course 3° true (N. 34 E. mag.) until abeam of the entrance to the dredged channel to Belhaven. Stand up the channel to Belhaven, passing betwen the red nun and black spar buoys marking the entrance.

The

The channel to Belhaven is well marked by buoys and lights. controlling depth is 12 feet (3.7 m). Chart 1231 is the best guide. Vessels go alongside the wharves or anchor west of the channel off the wharves.

BAY RIVER

(Charts 1231, 3253)

Bay River empties into the western part of Pamlico Sound from westward, the entrance being just north of the mouth of Neuse River and about 5 miles north-northeastward of Neuse River Light

house. The entrance is marked by Maw Point Shoal and Bay Point Lights. The channel for a distance of 11 miles above the entrance is marked by buoys and lighted beacons, has a depth of 9 feet (2.7 m) or more, and can be readily followed. Above this point the channel is a cut dredged 150 feet wide and 9 feet (2.7 m) deep to a point 5% mile below Stonewall, and thence 100 feet wide and 9 feet (2.7 m) deep to Bayboro, which is practically the head of navigation. The controlling depth to Bayboro was 8 feet (2.4 m) in January

1936.

The route of the Intracoastal Waterway follows Gale Creek and Bay River to Pamlico Sound.

Vandemere is a village and railroad terminal 8 miles above the entrance of Bay River. The railroad dock is now in ruins but there are depths of from 7 to 8 feet (2.1 to 2.4 m) at the ends of the small fish docks. Gasoline and some supplies are available. There is good anchorage in 9 feet (2.7 m) of water off the docks.

Stonewall is a small village on the south side of Bay River 13 miles above the entrance. The docks are in ruins.

Bayboro is a small village 14 miles above the mouth of the river and at practically the head of navigation. Some small boats pass above the bridges. The wharves are in good condition, and are on the east side of the creek leading to Mill Pond. There are depths of from 8 to 10 feet (2.4 to 3.0 m) at the oil docks and 6 feet (1.8 m) at the fish docks. Ice, gasoline, and some supplies are obtainable. Lumber and fish are shipped by rail from Bayboro.

Directions, Bay River-From eastward.-With a smooth sea, a depth of 6 feet (1.8 m) can be taken across Brant Island Shoal by passing about 250 yards southward of Brant Island Slue Light on a southwesterly course. From a position 1/2 mile southwestward of Brant Island Slue Light steer 265° true (W. mag.) for 6.6 miles to a position 1/2 mile east of Bay River Buoy No. 8 (red nun); or from a position 1/2 mile southward of Brant Island Shoal Light make good a course of 2802° true (WNW. 5% W. mag.) for 111⁄2 miles to a position 1/2 mile east of Bay River Buoy No. 8. Then steer 306° true (NW. 3% W. mag.) for a distance of 21/4 miles to a position 500 yards northward of Bay River Light No. 3.

From this position steer 266° true (W. mag.) for 1 mile, giving the southern shore a berth of about 11⁄2 mile, and then keep near the middle of the river, giving the buoys a berth of over 100 yards until westward of Bay River Buoy No. 8.

(If bound for Vandemere, after passing Petty Point and 1/4 mile northeastward of Bay River Light No. 5, steer 318° true (NW. % N. mag.) for the wharves.)

Then give the northern shore of Mason Bay a berth of 1/4 mile and follow the buoys at a distance of 75 to 100 yards. Anchorage can be selected in the channel of the river up to the entrance of the dredged cuts about 150 yards northwestward of Bay River Buoy No. 11, but above this point there is not room for anchorage except for small craft. The channel to Bayboro follows midstream, but local knowledge is necessary to carry the best water.

From westward.-Pass 200 yards eastward and northeastward off Maw Point Shoal Junction Bell Buoy and steer 306° true (NW. % W. mag.) for 334 miles to a position 500 yards north of Bay River Light No. 3. Then follow the directions in the preceding paragraphs.

Neuse River empties into the western end of Pamlico Sound from westward and is one of the important rivers in North Carolina. Its mouth, which is 5 miles wide, is reduced to a navigable width of a little over 2 miles by shoals extending offshore from each side. Neuse River Light marks the outer end of the shoal on the northern side; and the southern shoal, off Point of Marsh, is marked by a light at its outer end. Garbacon Shoal, 10 miles above the mouth of the river, extends halfway across from the southern shore, leaving a clear navigable width of 7% mile; the outer end of the shoal is marked by Garbacon Shoal Lighted Buoy 1A. Garbacon Shoal Beacon is located in the former position of Garbacon Shoal Light.

The channel has been improved by dredging and snagging operations. From the entrance of the river to New Bern the channel is marked by lights and buoys.

In 1936 there was a depth of 12 feet (3.7 m) from the mouth to New Bern; thence 4 feet (1.2 m) to a point 21 miles above New Bern; thence 212 feet (0.8 m) to the mouth of Contentnea Creek; and thence 1 foot (0.3 m) to Seven Springs, 65 miles above New Bern.

The vessel Elizabeth burned to the water's edge and was abandoned 2 miles east-northeast from Neuse River Light, July 1934. Later the wreck could not be found.

New Bern, a city on the west bank of Neuse River, population 11,981 in 1930, 34 miles above the entrance, is the county seat of Craven County and is an important commercial center for this district. It ships lumber in barges, and fish and farm produce by rail. There is regular freight-boat service to Norfolk and to Albemarle and Pamlico Sound ports.

Anthracite and bituminous coal, gasoline, Diesel oil, supplies, water, and ice can be obtained. There is a marine railway with a capacity of 100 tons, 75 feet (22.9 m) maximum length, on the north side of Trent River between the railroad and highway bridges. The depth of water off the railway is 12 feet (3.7 m).

There is a relief station (third class) of the United States Public Health Service, and storm warnings are displayed. The river water is slightly brackish at New Bern except during freshets. The United States Coast Guard Cutter Pamlico is stationed at New Bern.

Turnagain Bay is on the south side of Neuse River, south-southeastward of Neuse River Light. It has a depth of 9 feet (2.7 m) or more in a narrow channel for a distance of 3 miles above the entrance; the entrance is marked by private buoys. The old canal to Long Bay is closed.

Broad Creek entrance is on the north side of Neuse River, 134 miles westward of Neuse River Lighthouse. Lower Broad Creek Light (black slatted structure) marks the west side of the channel at the entrance. Pamlico is a post office and sawmill on the south side of Broad Creek, 211⁄2 miles above the entrance. Vessels load to a depth of 6 feet (1.8 m) on the eastern side of the slab wharf at the sawmill and anchor off the mouth of Tar Creek to load to 8 feet (2.4 m). To enter Broad Creek, pass 100 yards eastward and northward

of Lower Broad Creek Light and steer 266° true (W. mag.) until past the point of the shoal, which shows by discolored water, on the starboard hand; then steer northwestward, slightly favoring the western bank until abreast the turning point on that side, and then keep in mid-creek.

South River is on the south side of Neuse River, 6 miles south-southwestward of Neuse River Lighthouse. The channel at the entrance is marked by buoys, and on its west side by South River Light. The channel has a depth of 10 feet (3.0 m) or more for 51⁄2 miles, and 8 feet (2.4 m) for 7 miles, above the entrance. To enter South River, steer 153° true (SSE. mag.) for South River Light in range with the southernmost point that shows on the east side of the creek until up with Entrance Buoy No. 1, and then change the course so as to pass close to the light. When 100 yards past the light, change the course gradually to 193° true (S. by W. 12 W. mag.), giving the edge of the bank, which shows by discolored water and is steep-to, on the west side of the channel a berth of 75 to 100 yards, and pass 100 yards westward of Inner Buoy No. 3. Then keep in mid-river. There was formerly a sawmill at Coffee Creek, a small bight on the east side of the river about 211⁄2 miles from the entrance beacon. The depth in the creek is 4 feet (1.2 m) and there are a few old wharves on the south side.

Oriental is a post office and railroad terminus on the eastern side of Smith Creek opposite Adams Creek. It is an excellent anchorage for boats, and supplies, gasoline, ice, and water can be obtained here and repairs to gasoline engines made. There is a marine railway capable of hauling vessels to 50 feet in length.

There is a depth of 82 feet (2.6 m) in the channel and about 8 feet (2.4 m) at the principal wharves. Á sand spit of dredged material extends southwestward of the channel from the eastern point at the entrance, and the cove northward of it has been dredged to 10 feet (3.0 m). The best anchorage is in the cove, but vessels of 7-foot (2.1 m) draft can anchor westward of the sawmill wharf toward the entrance of Green Creek. Gasoline may be obtained from a wharf in the cove.

A depth of about 8 feet (2.4 m) can be taken into Green Creek to the wharves of Oriental in the cove by steering about 308° true (NW. 14 W. mag.) for Chadwicks Point Shoal Light. Pass 100 feet westward of the light and steer 341° true (N. by W. 12 W. mag.) for the end of the sawmill wharf. Avoid the shoal making out from the sand spit at the entrance to the harbor. After passing this spit, and about 100 yards beyond Oriental Light, the cove may be entered for an anchorage. There are two small wharves on the north side of this bight. The town dock is at the extreme inner end of the cove.

Adams Creek entrance is on the south side of Neuse River, 10 miles above Neuse River Lighthouse and southward of the town of Oriental, on the opposite side of the river. It is a part of the Intercoastal Waterway betwen Pamlico Sound and Beaufort Harbor.

A channel has been dredged to a depth of 12 feet (3.7 m) through Adams Creek, and thence through a canal and dredged channels in Core Creek and Newport River to Beaufort Harbor. This channel