The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-30

in the uscinity Of Hasa rogue Lighthouse, on the
coast Of Virginia.
CoAsr SURVEY OFFICE,
April 10, 1852,
Sin: have the honor to submit to the Depart
ment report Of the dangers in the vicinity of As.
satcague lighthouse, the coast of Virginia, de-
rived from Lieutenant Commanding JOHN J. Amy,
United States Navy, Assistant in the Coast Survey.
who has been in charge of the photographic party
working on that coast during the past season.
DANGERS IN THE VICINITY OF ASSA-
LEAGUE LIGHTHOUSE.
Notes The lighthouse stands on an elevation
| about mile distant from the beach, and is in
latitude $40 81 37n north, and longitude 75o 81 04r
west from Greenwich.
In the list of dangers. the bearings, &c., within
| brackets, true; those without magnetic, or
by compass. The distances are in nautical miles.
Winter Quarter Shoal is one mile long and one
third Of a mile wide, running in direction f. by
N. NJ, and w. by s. s., Re. N. 4. and w. S.
WI with not over 81 fathoms water upon it
The least water is IL feet, in several places, at
| low tide. On the seward side the soundngs
change suddenly from TO 4, and then to
2 fathoms. 1t is 81 miles distant from the
nearest land, with 10 fathoms water between it
| and the shore. In clear weather the lantern OF
Assateague lighthouse is just visible from it. The
centre of the shoal bears from Assateague light
E. by N. NJ, Re. by N. N. j distant IL miles.
| This is highly dangerous ehoal, the soundings
change suddenly, and it lies directly in the track
Of vessels. The sea breaks upon it in heavy
weather.
| Chincoteague Shoal ia long narrow bank or
ridge running in a direction N. E. E. and S. w.
w., IN. E. E. and S. W.. /. WI 1; miles long.
with an average width of quarter of mile, and
distant from Al to miles from the shore, with
from 3. to tathoms water upon it. lis north end
bears T.. by S., Re. ASH distant II miles, and its
south end S. E. IS rs. E. S j distant 81 miles
| from Assateague lighthouse.
| Il dangerous shoaI lies S. by E, Z E rs. s. E..
distant 4. miles from Assateaguc lighthouse, with
Is feet water upon it.
Another, with feet water upon it, lies s. E.
rs. b. Ell distant q. miles from the lighthouse
Anothr, with feet water upon it. lies s., rs
| Ell distant 81 mica from the lighthouse
Within a scmicrcle of IL miles. Assatengue
| lighthouse being the centre, the bottom is exceed
| ingly broken and uneven. The general set of the
along this part OF the coast is to the south
| ward and westward; and vessels from the Yves
Indies and southern ports, bound into Delaware
| Bay, have been set in shore among these dangers
| by it, The coast in this vicinity is dangerous fol
large vessels navigated by persons not well &C
quanted with it. Vessels supposing themselves
in this vicinity, after striking eleven and twelve
iathoms water, should keep the lead going, and
keep bright look out. In the daytime large YES
cells should not approach nearer the land than eight
or nine miles, with the trees just in eight from the
deck; nor at night even in clear weather, when
coming from the southwark, nearer than just to
keep Assateaguc light in sight, until it is brought
to bear, by compass. to the southwark of west
After that it will be necessary to keep further off
and it out of sight. in order TO avoid winter
! Quarter Shoel"
This light, in clear weather, at night can be seen
at distance Of about twelve miles.
would respectfully request authority TO publish
| this communication.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
| A. ID. BACHE, Superintendent.
| Hon. THOMAS CoRwIN,
! Secretary Of the Treasury.