DOBOY SOUND

DOBOY SOUND AND DARIEN

(Charts 574, 575, 1241, and 1242)

193

Doboy Sound is 46 miles southwestward of Tybee Roads and 16 miles northeastward of St. Simon Lighthouse. It is marked on its northern side by Sapelo Lighthouse (light discontinued) and another unused lighthouse, and on its southern side by an unused lighthouse (two-story building). The entrance is about 1 mile wide and is obstructed by shifting shoals which extend about 41⁄2 miles offshore. Vessels should keep in a depth of 5 fathoms (9.1 m) or more until the Sea buoy is sighted. If there is too much sea to cross Doboy bar, vessels can make an anchorage in Sapelo Sound.

The surveys of Doboy bar in recent years show it has been changing. It is not considered safe for a stranger to attempt to enter by following the buoys with a greater draft than 8 feet (2.4 m), and then only under the safest condition of a rising tide and a smooth sea.

A swash channel with a least depth of 7 feet (2.1 m) makes into the sound close under the south point of Sapelo Island. It is not marked. Another channel seems to be forming north of the buoyed channel between what is now called North Breakers and Chimney Spit. In 1925 this channel showed a depth of 9 feet (2.7 m). It is not marked.

The sound extends northwestward for a distance of about 5 miles and has an average width of 34 mile. It is the commercial outlet of numerous tributaries, the town of Darien, and also of the Altamaha River. Lumber is the principal commodity. In recent years very few shipments have been made.

When across the bar, chart no. 574 is a good guide in the sound to an anchorage near the red and black buoy at the entrance of North River. Sailing vessels require a towboat from this anchorage to Darien, but small powered vessels up to about 812 feet (2.6 m) draft should have no difficulty in going up to the town. Chart 575 is the best guide to Darien.

Tides. The mean rise and fall of tides is about 7 feet (2.1 m) in the sound and about 712 feet (2.3 m) at Darien. The tidal currents on the bar have a velocity of about 11⁄2 knots on the ebb and slightly less on the flood. In the entrance to the sound the average velocity at strength is about 2 knots.

Anchorages. There is good anchorage anywhere in the channel of the sound inside the entrance, but vessels usually stand up until abreast the mouth of North River, near Duplin River Light off its entrance. Vessels subject to visitation by the health officer must wait to be boarded in the sound. There is good anchorage in about 21 feet (6.4 m) in North River, but the channel is too narrow for a large vessel to anchor in Darien River.

Pilots for Doboy bar can be had by writing or wiring to Darien. Pilots for Doboy Sound will also take vessels into St. Catherines or Sapelo Sounds. Bar pilotage is compulsory for certain vessels. (For pilot rates, see Sapelo Sound.)

Towboats can be had at Brunswick. All sailing vessels bound to Darien take a towboat, and, when loaded, tow out over the bar.

Sapelo Lighthouse, lat. 31°23′28′′ N., long 81°17'09" W., is an unused light tower, with red and white bands. Fresh water may be obtained from an artesian well at the lighthouse by using small boats. Duplin River enters Doboy Sound from northward about 1/2 miles inside of Sapelo Lighthouse; it is a small stream about 5 miles long and was good for a depth of 10 feet (3.0 m) in 1934 until near its head.

Sapelo is a post office near the southern end of Sapelo Island. It is reached by boat by going up Duplin River 2 miles to a small creek on the eastern shore; thence up this creek to the first starboard hand creek; thence to the landing. Some supplies and gasoline can be obtained here in an emergency.

New Teakettle Creek enters the sound from northward about 1 mile northwestward of Duplin River. This creek connects with Mud River and forms part of the alternate Intracoastal Waterway passage; a depth of 9 feet (2.7 m) could be taken through the creek in 1934. The controlling depth in Mud River was 5 feet (1.5 m).

Old Teakettle Creek branches from New Teakettle Creek and joins Mud River farther westward. The main route of the Intracoastal Waterway follows Old Teakettle Creek. The controlling depth in the creek was 92 feet (2.9 m) in 1934.

Atwood Creek and Hudson River are small streams emptying into the head of the sound from northwestward. About 10 feet (3.0 m) can be taken up the former for a distance of 2 miles, and 9 feet (2.7 m) up the latter to the mouth of the small creek leading to Meridian Landing.

Meridian Landing is on the west side of a small creek entering Hudson River from the north side, about 14 miles from the mouth of the river. It is a public landing much used in the shipment of local freight and mail. A shell road leads from the landing to the village of Meridian a short distance away. From thence a State highway affords direct connection to Darien, about 7 miles, and to Brunswick, Ga., about 25 miles. Boats of over 2-foot (0.6 m) draft anchor in Hudson River, or in the small stream close to the landing at low water, and come alongside whenever a rising tide permits. Fresh water is piped to the dock and gasoline can be obtained from Meridian. Boats of over 60 feet in length should not enter the creek as there is insufficient turning room.

If bound to Meridian Landing stand up Doboy Sound, favoring the east shore after passing the entrance to Folly River, until Hudson River opens up. Then stand across the sound, rounding the point at the south side of the entrance to Hudson River at a distance of about 75 yards, and follow the south shore at the same distance until in the middle of the bend about 1/2 mile beyond. Then favor the east shore to the mouth of the creek leading to the landing.

Connegan River enters the head of the sound from southwestward. It joins North River by a branch known as Buzzard Roost Creek, through which 7 feet (2.1 m) may be taken. (Surveys of 1934.)

North River enters Doboy Sound west of Doboy Island. It extends westward 6 miles to the post village of Ridgeville, to which a draft of 9 feet (2.7 m) can be taken. Here it joins Mayhall Creek, which, running southward, connects with Darien River 5 miles above its mouth. There is a depth of about 13 feet (4.0 m) in Mayhall Creek,

except where it enters Darien River the depth is only 4 feet (1.2 m); a draft of 8 feet (2.4 m) or more can be taken through at high

water.

Blue and Hall Landing is on the west bank of North River about 2 miles by water above the entrance to Buzzard Roost Creek. It is a private landing with good highway connection to Darien, 3 miles distant. At low water 9 feet (2.7 m) can be taken into the river and to this landing. By the aid of a small searchlight or spotlight boats are able to come up the river to this landing after dark. Gasoline can be obtained at the landing.

Back River is on the southern side of Doboy and Commodore Islands and forms another entrance from the sound to North and Darien Rivers. It is little used.

South River enters Doboy Sound from southwestward about 3/4 mile inside the entrance. It extends in a general westerly direction for 3 miles, where it joins Little Mud River; it is little used.

Darien River extends southwestward for a distance of 111⁄2 miles, where it joins the Altamaha River. The controlling depth to Darien, on the north bank of the river, was 7.1 feet (2.2 m) in 1935. Care is necessary for its navigation due to the shoals and numerous floating snags. The water is fresh in the river at Darien after the ebb has been running about three hours. At ordinary low tides a draft of about 3 feet (0.9 m) can be taken into the Altamaha River.

Directions, Darien River.-From Doboy Sound, leave Duplin River Light (flashing white), which marks the east end of a shoal at the north side of the mouth of the North River, close to the northward, and steer 225° true (SW. mag.) until about 300 yards from this light; then haul to the westward, heading for the northernmost clump of small trees; then favor the north shore entering the North River, passing about 50 yards off the private landing.

Thence favor the west shore and pass about 100 yards off beacon no. 2. Thence haul southward, slightly favoring the west shore of Doboy Island and head for beacon no. 2 A. Doboy Island is wooded, and there are several buildings on its southwest end. Water is obtainable and there is a small private landing.

Pass about 50 yards east of beacon no. 2 A and cross Back River heading for beacon no. 1, and when about 400 yards from it follow the east shore at a distance of about 100 yards to the mouth of Darien River.

Come into the mouth of the Darien River and follow the ebb-tide bends carefully for about 214 miles. West of the opening into Rockdedundy River there are a number of shoals in the Darien River which must be carefully avoided.

From the opening into the Rockdedundy River favor well the south side of the Darien River until nearly abeam the next point on the north side, then cross and favor well the north side.

Follow the north shore for 50 yards, or until the first prominent point on the south side west of Rockdedundy River bears about south, mag.; cross to the east shore at this point, give the point of land a berth of about 75 yards, and follow that shore for a distance of about 400 yards. Then stand up mid-channel, and continue to follow the ebb-tide bends to Darien, passing through Pico Cut.

Darien, population 937 in 1930, is 81⁄2 miles above Doboy Island on the north bank of the Darien River. It has telephone and autobus communication, and a first-class highway passes through Darien from Savannah to Brunswick, 18 miles away. Gasoline, ice, fresh water, and supplies are available.

The town now has little commercial importance, as the lumber mills are in ruins. A small amount of lumber is occasionally shipped. A considerable number of shrimp and shad fishermen base at Darien.

There is one small marine railway capable of hauling out boats up to 45 feet (13.7 m) in length. The depth of water alongside the wharves is 7 to 14 feet (2.1 to 4.2 m). There are no berths for large vessels. Vessels make fast to the wharves as the river is too narrow for them to anchor near the town.

A swing highway bridge (hand moved), vertical clearance 23 feet (7.0 m) at high water, horizontal clearance 100 feet (30.5 m), crosses the Darien River at the town.

Light-draft vessels running between Darien and Brunswick formerly used the route through Threemile Cut to the Altamaha River. It is reported that shoaling of the Altamaha River crossing has occurred and has made this route almost impracticable.

The Intracoastal Waterway enters Doboy Sound through Old Teakettle Creek and passes southward through North River, Darien River. Rockdedundy River and Little Mud River to Altamaha Sound.

ALTAMAHA SOUND

(Chart 575)

Altamaha Sound is 5 miles southward of Sapelo Lighthouse and about 11 miles northeastward of St. Simon Lighthouse. The entrance is so much obstructed by shoals and the sound itself is so full of them that it is rarely entered by anyone, and never by strangers. There is a channel through the shoals, which extends out for a distance of 4 miles from the entrance, but this channel shifts and is not marked.

Sailing directions of any value cannot be given. It is advisable in every case where a vessel desires to enter Altamaha Sound, if coming from the northward, to pass into Doboy Sound; or, from the southward, to pass into St. Simon Sound, and then through the Intracoastal Waterway to Altamaha Sound. In either case a local pilot should be obtained.

Tides. The mean rise and fall of tides in the entrance to Altamaha River is about 612 feet (1.9 m).

Altamaha River is formed by the confluence of the Oconee and Ocmulgee Rivers, 112 miles above the town of Darien and 122 miles above its mouth, and flows in a general southeasterly direction, entering the western end of Altamaha Sound. The river has no importance above the highway bridge at Darien, although it can be traversed by careful navigation for a distance of about 10 miles above. The river is subject to flood conditions and the depths change radically. There is a least depth of about 11⁄2 feet (0.4 m) throughout its length at ordinary summer low water. The influence of the tides is felt in the river for a distance of about 20 miles above Darien.

COAST FROM ALTAMAHA SOUND TO ST. SIMON SOUND 197

Three trunk-line railroads cross the Altamaha River, but the only place where there is a landing with rail connection is at Doctortown, where there is a small lumber mill. Commercial traffic in the Altamaha and its tributaries has now practically ceased.

Oconee River has a channel depth of about 1 foot (0.3 m) at ordinary summer low water to the city of Milledgeville, about 126 miles above its junction with Altamaha River. Three trunk-line railroads cross the Oconee River below the head of navigation. Dublin is a landing. where there is a rail connection.

Ocmulgee River has a channel depth of about 1.5 feet (0.4 m) at ordinary summer low water for a distance of 178 miles to the city of Macon. The principal cities, towns, and villages on the river, with their distances above the junction with the Altamaha River, are Lumber City, 10 miles; Abbeville, 62 miles; Hawkinsville, 114 miles; and Macon, 178 miles. Transfer of freight between the river and connecting railroads is practicable at Macon and Lumber City by means of elevating machinery; at Hawkinsville, Abbeville, Barrows Bluff, and Mosquito Bluff by means of spur tracks and highways.

Little Mud River enters Altamaha Sound from northward about 212 miles inside the entrance. The controlling depth on the range leading into Altamaha Sound was 9 feet (2.7 m) in 1934. The Intracoastal Waterway passes through Little Mud River.

Buttermilk Sound enters Altamaha Sound from southwestward. It has an average width of 1⁄2 mile but is full of shoals, through which there is a narrow channel. At its head the sound connects with Frederica River and Mackay River, the latter connecting with Back River. These three rivers enter the western end of St. Simon Sound from northward, and Frederica River with Buttermilk Sound forms part of the Intracoastal Waterway through which a draft of 5.8 feet (1.8 m) can be taken at low water. This is the controlling depth (1934) on the entrance range from Altamaha Sound.

COAST FROM ALTAMAHA SOUND TO ST. SIMON SOUND

(Chart 1242)

This coast line, having a length of 113% miles and trending about south-southwestward, is formed by the shore of Little St. Simon Island, Isle of Palms (locally known as "Long Island "), and St. Simon Island. These are separated only by stretches of marsh traversed by small streams and appear as one body of land when seen from seaward, although from certain points of view the marshes, alternating with patches of trees, give the land an unusually broken appearance.

Of the three named, St. Simon Island forms the main body of land between the two sounds, and in a general description the other two may be considered as parts of it. The three thus taken together form a body of land 11% miles in length and 6 miles in width at its northern end, diminishing gradually to 21⁄2 miles near its southern point. Immediately along the coast and in the central parts it is heavily wooded. Between the two wooded portions there is a stretch of marsh from a mile to 11⁄2 miles in width extending nearly the whole length of the island, and to the westward it is separated from the mainland by extensive marshes, through which flow the Frederica and Mackay Rivers, connecting Altamaha and St. Simon Sounds.