The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-13
CHARTS.

TTyo syrnAsTERs. -THE ATTENTION OF THE BOARD
II of underwriters has rescntly been called TO most
vaiua BILE general chart Of the coast from Gay Head
Cape Heniopen from survey under the direction Of T.
r. Hasser A. d. Bache superiutendents Of the
vey OF tbs coast Of the United States" Published in
Il is the Judgment Of the board that this char, should
be in the of every shpmastsr trading 70 and
leved that IL its directions carefully observed and
the lead line properly used by competent hands no
essel would stranded the shores Of Long Island
or New Jersey unless driven by hurricane
1t is earnestly hoped that every navigator who regards
not merely tbs safety Of property but his reputs
the BY which shpweck and disaster on our coas
may avoided except 10 those very rare ses ia which
human skill and vigilance are overruied BY the ele
The board deem it proper publish herewith the fol-
lowing extracts from he sailing directions which accom-
pany the chart above referred to.
ELwOOD WALTER, Sec. Board Of Underwriters.
December llsj4
Sailing directions for Vessels from General direc
tions The Gulf stream BY it's high gives
the first warning Of approach to the In ati-
tude 3s,s deg. is nearly $40 nautical miles from the
land measuring parallel Of latitude. After passing
through it, the temperature begins to fall There is also
fall Of temperature striking soundngs which shows
The color Of the water changes with tho depth From
$50 to SO fath0ms changes from dark blue 10 light
blue and from 50 to 80 fathoms and less, from light
Seven curve lines are drawn on the map showing the
depths Of TO- 15 TO- 80 49, 50 and 100 fathoms Up to
the shore and between tie 90 and 100 sthoms curve
the water suddenly deepens. The q fatom IL 81
miles from Cape May in an r BY s. direction, but less
of the east end Of Long Island therefore too near tho
land unless with commanding wind, white 20 fathoms
Tbs latitude OF I ships ola &c is usually better kpoxp
than the longitude but the latter is the most important
on approaching this coast and BE- determined APP
proximately from the latitude in connection with the
distance between the curves of depth.
To show the slope Of the bottom, and the sudden
d he bottom along five nes, which are drawn on the
uap added. The rise o. the outer bank slope is 10
steep that uncertain Of position from want of obser
the careful of the lead will preserve from
Eottom.-Iu 100 fathoms, east Of the entrance of
Delaware Bay. the bottom in 100 fathoms is mostly
dark gray sand mixed with broken shells To the north
with and
In less than 100 fathoms east of Delaware Raw the
bottom bet ween 100 and 40 fathom is most
sand and broken Shells inside Of 40 fahcms gray or
yellow sand with black specks. North Of this parallel
the bottom often mud sand the mud being more
frequent going to the northeast until OF Block Island
where the bottom from 100 10 20 athoms is mostly green
mud ooze, known the Block Island soundinxs
Green mud cannot be found within ifeen miles
Of Block Island and seldom to the west Of the meridian
of Monta ak Point, in less than 80 fathoms water.
Between 40 and 90 athoms. of the coast OF Long
Island and New Jersey the character Of the bottom
must be made to the descriptions the chart
Bound to New York.-Courses Prom The eastward,
striking soundings in than IS fathoms green mud
steer direct for Sandy Hook making Nevesink the
Light Boat Striking souadings in less than 80 fahoms
green mud steer the northward Of west shoang the
water very gradually that course II beating against
stand INTO less than Is fathoms the norhwar tack
till nearly up with Fire Island Inlet The chart shows
that after passing inside of 26 fathoms the soundngs
decrease very slowly going west and very rapidly going
NORTH on Long Island shore This distinction should
be carefully borne in mind.
NOTEIf vessels from the east bound to New York fall
in sight of Flankaty Light they too to Daviss
South shoa and will keep to the southwark till they
pnss il.
From the southwark and eastward shape the course
from the Nevesnk Lights, observing the precautions
with the lead given in the general directions. -
From the southwark, bound to New York from the
southwark nothing is gained by running into less than
Is fahoms water To the north Of Barnegat less than
Is fathoms Is unsafe, 10 or IL fathoms being found
within mile and quarter of the beach. II in Is
fathoms in the night thick weather. the lead should
be kept in hand and the bottom examined Gravelly
bottom indicates too near an approach to land
To run for New York harbor from the Light Boat
NV by W. W.. and after shoalng the water to eight
fahoms take up the for thehanne to be entered
according to the directions on the chart of New York
bay and harbor.
the south the bottom changes from fine sand to
gray sand On approaching Barnegat it becomes gravel
y and off the mouth OF that inlet it is gravel pebbles
and in places shells. The soundings also change
from ten to athoms at the distance from the
shore. After passing Barneeat the bottom changes
from gravel to yellow and gray sand with yellow specks
found of Old Inlet, Little Egg Harbor. on Great Egg
Harbor thebotto In from eight to ten fathoms is fne
gray sand to the south Of this yellow sand again
and is carried up to Hereford Inlet South OF this inlet
and abreast Of Cape May, the bottom is white gray
sand.
Dangers the lee shore, to the westward Of Fire
Island the shoal forming the bars of the
On the Jersey shore there shoals of Barnegat and
lies from the shore. They to be avoided by using
the lead