DIRECTIONS, ALBEMARLE SOUND

93

are full of fish stakes and nets, especially along the north shore, where it is difficult to avoid them.

Directions for entering the sound by the Intracoastal Waterway through the canals and North and Pasquotank Rivers are given on pages 79 and 82.

Having come from northward through North River

1. If bound to Croatan Sound.-When across the bar and up to North River Entrance Lighted Bell Buoy, steer 161° true (S. by E. 14 E. mag.) for 61⁄2 miles, then 144° true (SSE. 3⁄44 E. mag.) for 5 miles. This course should lead to a position about 200 yards east of Caroon Point Buoy No. 2 (red nun) off Caroon Point with Croatan Lighthouse nearly ahead. Then pass about 125 yards westward of Croatan Lighthouse. Fish stakes are numerous in this vicinity. Then follow the directions on page 95.

2. If bound to Alligator River. From a position about 100 yards east of North River Entrance Lighted Bell Buoy steer 204° true (SSW. 5% W. mag.) for a distance of 10% miles across Albemarle Sound to a position about 100 yards westward of Alligator River Lighted Bell Buoy No. 1 at the entrance to the dredged channel to Alligator River.

3. If bound to Bull Bay or Scuppernong River, make good a 246° true (WSW. 14 W. mag.) course for 23 miles from North River Entrance Lighted Bell Buoy. Then, if bound into the bay, steer 220° true (SW. mag.) for the entrance buoy, or, if bound into Scuppernong River, 180° true (S. 2 W. mag.) until the entrance range is Then follow the directions on page 91.

on.

4. If bound to Edenton Bay or Mackay Creek or into Chowan River.From North River Entrance Lighted Bell Buoy a 254° true (W. by S. mag.) course made good for 29 miles will lead 22 miles southward of Wade Point Lighthouse, 1 mile southward of Reeds Point Light, 34 mile northward of Laurel Point Lighthouse, and 34 mile southward of Bluff Point Shoal Buoy No. 4 (red nun) off Bluff Point. After passing this buoy bring Laurel Point Lighthouse astern on a 265° true (W. mag.) course, which made good for 61⁄2 miles will lead to the lift draw in the trestle crossing the sound. This draw is a conspicuous object for many miles. Then be guided by the directions under the proper headings on pages 87 and 89.

Having come from the Northward through Pasquotank River

1. If bound to Croatan Sound.-From a position about 1/2 mile northward of Wade Point Lighthouse steer 143° true (SSE. 34 E. mag.) for 1534 miles to a position about 200 yards east of Caroon Point Buoy No. 2 (red nun) off Caroon Point with Croatan Lighthouse a very little on the starboard bow. Then pass about 125 yards westward of Croatan Lighthouse. Fish stakes are numerous in this vicinity. Then follow the directions on page 95.

2. If bound to Alligator River.-From a position about 21/4 miles eastward of Wade Point Light steer 186° true (S. by W. mag.) for a distance of 11 miles across Albemarle Sound to a position about 100 yards westward of Alligator River Lighted Bell Buoy No. 1 at the entrance to the dredged channel to Alligator River.

3. If bound to Bull Bay or Scuppernong River, bring Wade Point Lighthouse to bear 0° true (N. 12 E. mag.), distant 1⁄2 mile, and steer to make good a 239° true (SW. by W. 34 W. mag.) course for 1934 miles. Then, if bound into the bay, steer 220° true (SW. mag.) for the entrance buoy, or, if bound into Scuppernong River, 180° true (S. 12 W. mag.) until the entrance range is on. Then follow the directions on page 91.

4. If bound to Edenton or Mackay Creek, or into Chowan River, bring Wade Point Lighthouse to bear 0° true (N. 12 E. mag.), distant 1/2 mile, and steer 245° true (WSW. 14 W. mag.) for 1234 miles to a position 1 mile southward of Reed Point Light. Then steer 254° true (W. by S. mag.) for 1211⁄2 miles, passing 3/4 mile southward of Bluff Point Shoal Buoy No. 4 (red nun) off Bluff Point. After passing this buoy, bring Laurel Point Lighthouse astern on a 265° true (W. mag.) course, which made good for 612 miles will lead to the lift draw in the trestle crossing the sound. This draw is a conspicuous object for many miles. Then be guided by the directions. under the proper heading on pages 87 and 89.

CURRITUCK SOUND

(Charts 1227, 1229)

Currituck Sound is a narrow and shoal body of water extending from Albemarle Sound in a north-northwesterly direction for 25 miles and is separated from the ocean by a narrow strip of sand beach. The lower part of the sound is navigable for boats of 4 to 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 m) draft for a distance of 11 miles above the entrance from Albemarle Sound, but the navigation is difficult on account of extensive shoals. A highway bridge with a draw span crosses the entrance of the sound near Sampson Point.

Back Bay (chart 1227) and its connection with Currituck Sound extends a little over 10 miles northward from the northeastern end of the sound. The bay is shoal and navigable only for small boats. Northward of Back Bay is a shallow body of water known as North Bay.

North Landing River (charts 406, 1227, 3252) extends in a northnorthwesterly direction from Currituck Sound and forms a link in the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal Route of the Intracoastal Waterway. The river has a width of from 100 to 300 feet (30.5 to 91.4 m) in its narrow part, which extends for a distance of 9 miles from the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal. There is a least depth of 11.4 feet (3.5 m) in the channel between North Landing and North Landing Bridge. Spoil banks and rows of piling lie on the east side of the channel in the wider section of the river. Depths range up to 7 feet (2.1 m) in the unimproved sections.

CROATAN SOUND

(Chart 1229)

Croatan Sound, west of Roanoke Island, connects Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, and is used by vessels bound through these sounds. A dredged channel, well marked by buoys and lights, with a controlling depth of 10 feet (3.0 m) in August 1932, leads through Croatan

Sound. Strangers should not attempt to pass through Croatan Sound at night. Fish stakes are numerous in season, especially at the northern and southern ends of the sound.

There is a good harbor in Peter Mashoes Creek, west-northwesterly of Croatan Lighthouse, but entrance is only possible for small boats. There is a fish house on piling on the north side of the entrance to which a draft of 7 feet (2.1 m) can be taken on approaching from the north-northeastward.

There is a small dock at Manns Harbor, westward of Blockade Shoal Light. Manns Harbor Canal Light stands in 4 feet (1.2 m) of water about 200 yards east of the dock. It is reported that a draft of 5 feet (1.5 m) can be carried to the dock by heading westward from the deeper waters of the sound to a position about 100 yards off the ruined dock southward of the ferry dock, and then hauling northward to that dock. Gasoline may be obtained at Manns Harbor. There is regular ferry service between Manns Harbor and Roanoke Island.

Roanoke Marshes is the name applied to the point and fishing station westward of Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse. A crooked slough, from 50 to 100 yards wide, leads in a north-and-south direction across the point, and the fishing station with a number of small wharves is on this slough. A small vessel can enter either end of the slough and make fast to the steep banks or at the wharves, with good shelter. The least depth at either entrance is 7 feet (2.1 m), and the depth in the slough varies from 12 to 16 feet (3.7 to 4.9 m). Both entrances are sometimes nearly blocked by fish stakes, but there is a narrow, clear passage. The north entrance is westward of the islet lying northward of the island on which the huts are located. A mid-channel course should be followed in the slough, and care is required when passing the opening between the islet and the island.

Wanchese is a post village near the south end of Roanoke Island and has a landing near the mouth of Oyster Creek, 234 miles northeastward of Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse. There are stores; fresh water and gasoline are obtainable. There is telephone communication from the dock.

To enter, bring Oyster Creek Light on range with Bodie Island Lighthouse (high tower on the outside beach) and pass 200 yards southward of the beacon. Vessels of 6-foot (1.8 m) or more draft should keep southward of this range to avoid a 6-foot (1.8 m) spot. There is 7 feet (2.1 m) off the end of the dock. There is good anchorage for small craft. There is daily freight boat service to Manns Harbor, Peter Mashoes Creek and Elizabeth City.

Height of water in Croatan Sound depends entirely on the winds, which may under exceptional conditions lower or raise the level as much as 12 feet from the normal; easterly winds lower the water and westerly winds raise it. Strong northerly or southerly winds produce currents, which are especially marked when the wind shifts suddenly to the opposite point.

Directions, Croatan Sound.-From a position about 125 yards westward of Croatan Lighthouse pass eastward of red Channel Buoy No. 4 just south of the lighthouse and then steer 135° true (SE. 2 S. mag.) for 44 miles to a position westward of black Channel Buoy No. 11 about 1/4 mile south-southeastward of Blockade Shoal Light, passing

westward of a number of black spar buoys and the light. This course is through a dredged channel 10 feet (3.0 m) deep. Then steer 168° true (S. 12 E. mag.) for 514 miles through a dredged channel marked on its eastern edge by black spar buoys to a position 50 to 100 yards eastward of Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse.

ROANOKE SOUND

(Chart 1229)

Roanoke Sound lies between Roanoke Island and a sand beach, Bodie Island, which separates it from the ocean. A depth of 6 feet (1.8 m) can be carried from Albemarle Sound, through the northern part of Roanoke Sound, and through a dredged channel, 100 feet wide, into Shallowbag Bay to the wharves of the village of Manteo. There is a narrow channel, through which a draft of 4 feet (1.2 m) can be carried close to the eastern side of Roanoke Island from Shallowbag Bay to Pamlico Sound. It is marked only at its southern end by a red nun buoy but is used considerably by local boats. The best water lies 150 yards off the island from Shallowbag Bay to the mouth of Broad Creek and about 3⁄4 mile off from the south side of Broad Creek to the south end of the island. Shallowbag Bay is a good anchorage for small craft of less than 6-foot (1.8 m) draft.

A causeway crossing Roanoke Sound connects Manteo and Roanoke Island settlements with Bodie Island and settlements on the outside beach. There is a draw span in the causeway where it crosses the channel of Roanoke Sound.

Manteo, population 547 in 1930, is the largest village on Roanoke Island. There is communication by steamer with Elizabeth City and by power boats with the neighboring villages. A ferry operates from the west side of Roanoke Island, near Manteo, across Croatan Sound to Manns Harbor. There is a depth of 6 feet (1.8 m) alongside the docks at Manteo. Gasoline, Diesel oil, and some supplies are available; there is a good hotel. There are facilities for hauling out vessels of 20 tons weight and 4-foot (1.2 m) draft.

Nags Head is a summer resort on the east side of Roanoke Sound, eastward of the north end of Roanoke Island. A good paved highway extends northward from the causeway along the beach for about 10 miles, then crosses the lower end of Currituck Sound by a causeway with a draw span to Point Sampson, from whence there is a good highway to Norfolk.

Directions to Manteo from Albemarle Sound.-To enter Roanoke Sound from northward, pass close northward of Collington Island Shoal Light and steer 100° true (ESE. 5% E. mag.), keeping Nags Head Light ahead and Collington Island Shoal Light astern for 5 miles, giving Roanoke Island a berth of over 1/2 mile.

Then pass northward and close eastward of Nags Head Light and steer about 162° true (S. by E. 1% E. mag.) for 12 miles to pass 50 feet eastward of Baum Point Light.

Then steer 220° true (SW. 1 W. mag.) for 34 mile to Manteo Light, red slatted pile structure. When south of this light, steer 270° true (W. 1⁄2 Ñ. mag.) for 1/4 mile and then northwestward to the wharves.

Brush stakes mark the western edge of the channel. Strangers of 4-foot (1.2 m) or less draft should have no trouble in entering. Anchorage can be had southeastward of the wharf at a distance not greater than 1/4 mile; also in the bay between the wharf and Ballast Point. A channel 100 feet wide has been dredged along the wharves. Height of water in Roanoke Sound depends entirely on the winds, which may, under exceptional conditions, lower or raise the level as much as 12 feet from the normal; easterly winds lower the water and westerly winds raise it. Strong northerly or southerly winds produce currents, which are especially marked when the wind shifts suddenly to the opposite point.

PAMLICO SOUND

(Charts 1229, 1231, 1232, 537, 538)

Pamlico Sound is the largest body of water in North Carolina and is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a narrow beach extending from Bodie Island Lighthouse to Cape Hatteras, a distance of about 35 miles, and thence in a west-southwesterly direction for about 35 miles. From Croatan Sound to the mouth of Neuse River the distance through the middle of Pamlico Sound is about 65 miles; the greatest width of the sound is about 24 miles. Oregon, Hatteras, and Ocracoke Inlets pierce the narrow beach, giving access to the ocean, but all are blocked by inside bars with little depth over them. They are described in another part of this volume.

The northern and western shores of the sound are irregular, being broken by numerous small bays and by two large rivers, Pamlico River and Neuse River. The general depth of water in the middle of the sound is between 18 and 24 feet (5.5 and 7.3 m), but shoals in many places extend miles from the shore; northward of Ocracoke Inlet, Bluff Shoal, with 7 to 12 feet (2.1 to 3.7 m) over it, extends completely across the sound.

Strong winds from any direction raise in the exposed parts of the sound a short, choppy sea, uncomfortable to small craft and even dangerous to open boats; but protected anchorage for small craft may be found in the many bays along the northern shore and along the southern shore in several sloughs which lead to sheltered berths in the lee of shoals. Middleton Anchorage and the anchorage in the bight formed by the hook of Royal Shoal can be made either day or night and are used.

Tides, except at the inlets, where there is a rise and fall of about 2 feet (0.6 m), are due entirely to winds and are small, except under the influence of strong winds. Easterly and westerly winds produce the greatest change in water level, which rarely exceeds 2 feet (0.6 m). There are no noticeable currents except in the vicinity of the inlets.

Long Shoal River is a good anchorage for vessels of 8-foot (2.4 m) or less draft. The entrance, which is about 1/2 miles wide, lies on the north shore of Pamlico Sound, 71⁄2 miles westward of Long Shoal Lighthouse. Shoals with 1 to 2 feet (0.3 to 0.6 m) over them lie on either side of the entrance and break the sea from southward. The channel has a depth of 9 feet (2.7 m) to an anchorage above