Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-06-04
BEAUFORT HtRBoR.

~ e copy tue fofioWlIly eNtracls Ho IltS itSRol
Eof II. L. Whiting, ESQ., assistant in the Coast
Survey to the Superintendent, on the Survey d
Beaufort Harbor. It is gratifying to know that
public attention in this State is becoming fully
awakened to this subject; and we cannot doubt
that the following official communication will be
read with much interest," and contribute to bring
about increased efforts to secure to our citizens
the advantages of zone of the best harbors and
ports on our whole Southern COAST:
| 'WAsHrNGToN, May 10, 1852.
DEAR Sir: y The survey is extended on
the outside shore, about three miles from either point
of the inlet, and beyond the limits of the bar and
shoals OF It's entrance. In the harbor and about the
town, have carried the survey beyond all the inn
Poftant localities fully include all the chan
nel-ways connecting The harbor with the interior
waters, and furnishing typographical details TO show
the approaches by land to the best water and land
ngs, with the character of the shore, which is OF
course represented in our conventional signs.
/ have also made as accurate survey as the char
acter will admit of the shoals and bars within the
harbor, they exist at low water of ordinary spring
tides.
y
In reporting upon the natural character and pre-
liminares OF Beaufort, as harbor and port, will
state such facts as have come under my personal
knowledge and also communicate my opinion regard
ing its and the facilities might afford TO the
commercial interest of this region.
The outside beach, or =" bank opposite Beaufort
harbor, is of the usual formation of this II is
mostly covered with low pine, and mixed growth,
and its average width is about half mile; the sand
hills and ridges upon it from 20 to 35 or 40 feet
high, thus forming good and sufficient shelter from
both wind and sea- all vessels anchored inside the
banks; the holding ground is also good as shown by
the results Of the Photographed survey.
The interior shores of the harbor are mostly OF
marsh growth, with OF oyster and Shells
which, the edges and where the sand has united
wi 0uifo hard and Snlid AT IeXOnviIle
and Shepherds point, and at the town of Beaufort,
the main upland comes to the waters ed sc. AT the
two former points, the deep waters of Newport and
North River channels approach quite near the Shores
and without any intervening shoals.
During the last thirty years there does not appear
to have been any particular change, either in the
shore line shoals within the limits of the harbor
The causes and action of the tide &C., which first
position and extent.
That the inlet and bar Of Beaufort probably the
best on our whole eastern coast, south OF the
Chesapeake Bay, is, believe, matter of fact, and
needs comment.
One of these causes is the shelter and eddy cur
rents occasioned by Cape Lookout. The influence
of these currents upon the inlet opening it does to
the south, and in the be'' of the cove Immediately
under it, is, to cut and carry away the sands and
shoals which storms may throw up, and deposite
them at the point of the Cape Al least, it is obvi
GUS that the influence which has formed Cape Look
out, and creates the deep water and bold shore of
this Immediately south of it, will allow any
dePostes to take place at point where the eddy
and counter currents have their greatest effect |;
while the projection of the Cape and the shoals
tending beSond il, prevent the action of the with
in this cove from being great, having the
effect, upon a coast presenting unprotected and
nearly even outline to the action of storms and break
ersas is the the shores both above and below
Cape Lookout and Cape Hatteras.
The other influence which think will always tend
to preserve the inlet Beaufort is from the noa-ex
isence of any large interior sound or bay.
The current through the inlet is wholly tidal one,
and in the back waters of 1" Borgue" and :" Cove
sounds" and from " Newport and 4" North" rivers
accumulate no more on the flood tide than escapes
the ebb they also of such extent and located
to be materially affected by the tide, being filled
and empted by the flood and ebb, and there
fresh water feeders 10 either of the rivers sufficient
at all affect their currents.
There is thus strong and continued tidal current
through the inlet, and this current is not lost
Over2owered by the heavy swell from the sea, dead
enIng its effect and throwing back the and, which
displaces in shoals and bars but it with the
eddy currents of the cove into which the inlet opens,
and the same action and effect is continued that the
current out Of the inlet produces, all tending pre-
serve AID deepen the channel.
In comparing the inlet at Beaufort with Ocracoke
and others opening from the large Sounds the advan
tages and Disadvantages of either OBJ yious. These
latter are almost much exposed the inside OF
the great mass of waters in the sounds they
the outside of the The effect of storms and
tide is consequently great well uncertain.
from flowing through the nlets from the ocean, while
the waterand surf from the sounds heave up swashes
and shoals from the inside.
The action of storms from sea is still strong, while
the of the sounds driven back, and shoals
thrown up and formed across the mouth OF the in
let, without any counter influence to prevent carry
them away.
In commercial point of view. Beaufort, as a har-
Dor and point, has many advantages and is well sit
uated There is river inland navigation to de-
lay or require the towing of large vessels ship
drawing twenty feet of water can leave at any
state of the tide with almost any wind, and dis.
charge her pilot at Sea in from thifty to fory-fve
minutes after weighing anchor.
1t seems, therefore, that the usefulness of of
the best harbors and ports our whole Southern
coast is lost for the of proper facilities of
munication and internal improvements, giving access
to it from the interior country and cities.
remain, sir. very respectfully yours,
HENRY l.. WHITING.
Prof. A. D. BAcHE, Superintendent
U. S. Coast Survey, Washington.