The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-05-01

Ofhe Superintendent of The Coast Srpsy 10 e Seeretar,
of The Treasury, ia relation dangers Ia The vicinity OF
Assateugw Lighthouse, on The coast of Vnginia
CoAsr SURVEY OFrIcE, April 10, 1852
SIR have the honor 10 submit TO the department
report of the dangers in the vicinity OF Assateague
house. on the coast OF Virginia. derived from Lieue
Commanding John ]. Amy, United States navy, assistant
in the Coast Survey who has been charge OF the hy-
geographic party working that during Nhe pss
season
DANGERS IN THE VICINITY OF AssATEAGUE
NorGs-The lighthouse stands on an elevation about
one mile distant from the beach. and 10 latitude $40 5a
37 north, and longitude $50 az o." from Green
witch. f.e.
In the list Of dangers the bearings, &C.. within brack-
cts, true; those without magnetic by compass
The distances are IN nautical miles.
Wnter-Qoarter Shoa is one mile long and one-thrd OF
mile wide, running ~ direction H. by N. N, and
w. By s. s., r. N. +. and w. s W. with not over
81 fathoms water upon it, The least is 10 feet in
several places, at low tide. On the seaward side the
soundings change suddenly from to A. and then TO 2
fathoms 1t is 81 miles distant from the neares,
with 10 fathoms water between it and the shore In clear
weather the lantern OF Assateague lighthouse is just Wis
league light f. by N NJ, re- by N. Nj distant IL 4
miles. This is highly dangerous shoal, the sound
lngs change suddenly and lies directly in the track OF
vessels The sea breaks upon II ia heavy weather.
Chincoteague Shoal is long bank or ridge run.
ming in direction NJ +. r. and s. w. w. IN. T.. I
u. and ). w. WI AZ miles long, with an average
%
miles from the shore, with from 81 TO fsthoms water
upon IT, Its north end bears +. by s., (E. ST. distant
"a miles, and its south end s. T. s., Is. H. III dis.
tant 50 miles from Assateague lighthouse.
A dangerous shoal lies 8 BYE E., Is s. Ell distant
miles from Assateague lighthouse with 10 feet water
upon II.
Another, with feet water upon Il, lies s. f.. rs b.
h j distant al miles from the lighthouse.
Another, with feet water upon il, lies s., rs. r. i
distant % miles from the light house
Within a semi circle Of twelve niles, Assaieague
light house being the centre, the bottom is exceedingly
broken and The general OF the current along
this part Of the coast 10 tse southward and westward
and vessels from the West Indies and southern pors
bound into Delaware bay have been set in shore among
these dangers by IT, The coast in this vicinity danger
GUS Tor large vessels navgated by persons well
quained with H. Vessels surprising themselves in this
vicinity after striking eleven and twelve ia,homs water
should keep the lead going and keep bright look out
In the day me large vessels should not approach
the land than eight nine miles, with the trees inst
sight from the deck; at night clear weather,
when coming from-the southwark nearer than iast TO
keep Assaieague light in sight until il is brought 10 bear
by compass TO the southwark OF west After thai IL will
be necessary TO keep further off, and out Of sight,
IN order to avoid Winter. Quarter Shoa"
This light, in clear weather, at night can be seen at a
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.