Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-11-16

The Southern Atlantic and Gulf Coast from
Cape ReBry TO the Mouth of
the Rio Grandc.
-
BY AN oFFICER OF THE UNITED STATES COAST
SURVEY
The important cities of Virginia and
Maryland have an access to the ocean only
through the Chesapeake Bay, which, at its
entrance from the shoals at Cape Charles
to those of Cape Henry, measures eight
miles in width. A single man-of-war could
closs the bay against the exit or entrance of
the merchant marine, provided there was
no naval armament to act against it. 1t is
probable that one of our larger vessels, with
the aid of q small war-sloop like the Perry,
could close the bay against all commerce,
especially while Fort Monroe which is not
far from the entrance, remains in the pos
session of the United States Government.
NORTH CAROLINA
1. ALBEMARLE AND PAMLICo SoUNDs.-Af-
ter passing Cape Henry for two hundred
miles, low sand islands and shoals lie be-
tween the shore and ocean, forming the
Currituck, Albemarle, Pamlico and Core
Sounds, navigable for vessels of light draft.
The Dismal Swamp Canal connects the
practical ocean inlet is one hundred and
thirty-five miles from Cape Henry, narrow
and difficult entrance, known as Hatteras
Inlet with only seven feet water on the
bar. single vessel of light draft would
be sufficient for the closing of this channel.
Eighteen miles southwest of it is Ocra-
coke Inlet, of the same character; both
open into Pamlico Sound. 0cracoke Bar
gives ten feet at mean low water.
The only opening into Albemarle Sound
is by shallow, winding channel through
Oregon Inlet, about forty miles north of
Cape Hatteras. The depth of water at the
bar of the Inlet is probably about five feet.
2. BEAUFoRT.-Following the oastsouth-
ward for fifty miles below 0cracoke Inlet
there are no connections with the interior
sounds until the old Topsail Inlet is reached,
which leads to the harbor of Beaufort, North
Carolina. This harbor is about eight and
half miles west-north-west from Cape Look
out. 1t is fine haven, having full fifteen
feet of water on the bar at the entrance of
the channel, at low tide, or eighteen at high
water. The town of Beaufort is CONNER
cially important, having a railroad con.
nection with Raleigh; and at that point
with the various roads of the North and
West The entrance is defended by Fort
Macon, work Of the same class as Fort
Carroll.
There are several inlets for vessels draw
ing six and seven feet of water to the in
terror sounds, viz. Bogue Inlet, with eight
feet on the bar; New TOpsail Inlet, with
ten feet on the bar, and Deep Inlet, with
seven feet on the bar all Of which are I'M
important as they lead to no ports of en-
try or railroad towns. A vessel stationed
at the entrance to Beaufort, by looking
down the coast occasionally, could effect
ually guard these minor straits.
1t is proper to state that in giving the
depth of water, when the extreme highest
figure is used, it indicates the depth only
at special point. The average depth will
be found nearer the lower figure employed.
With this explanation, we proceed to
3. WILNINGTON.-The next harbor of i'm
portance is that of Wilmington, North Car
olina, on Cape Fear River.
This port has single channel with two
inlets fifteen miles in length, rather tortu-
GUS and narrow in places, with a depth of
seven and half to eight feet on the bars
in low water, which could be easily block
AIDED by two vessels. Wilmington is con-
nected by railroad with the interior, and is
thus important as a commercial interpot.
Near the mouth of Cape Fear River are
Forts johnson and Caswell, recently seized
by the rebels. Fort johnson is rather
collection Of barracks, with a ck-house,
than a fort Fort Caswell is third class
work.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
4. GEoRGETowN.-Th next accessible
harbor is that of Georgetown, South Caro-
lima, seventy-two miles southwest from
Cape Fear, having a single winding chan
mel, ten miles in length, running among
shoals. The depth of channel varies from
seven feet to thirty. The Pedee River con-
meets Georgetown with the interior, being
navigable as far as ConWaybOro by brigs.
The blockade Of the entrance to this harbor
would be easy. Further down the coast
emptes the Santee River, whose mouth is
obstructed by shoals, Of which the depth Of
water is only from Two to two and quarter
feet.
5. BULBS BAY.-This is a good harbor
of refuge from southeast winds, and very
accessible. The depth on the bar at mean
low water is thirteen feet, and the anchor
age is good in twenty-one feet, inside Cap
ers' and Devices Inlets, below Bulls Bay,
admit vessels drawing six feet water.
6. CHARLEsTON.-The harbor Of Charles
ton has siH entrances, which, beginning
with the one furthest north, are in order
Mafits, or the Sullivan's Island Channel
with eleven feet; the North Channel, with
eight feet the Swash, with nine feet the
Overall Channel, which is not now used
the Main Ship Channel with eleven feet,
and LaWford Channel, which gives eleven
feet at mean low water. The entrance by
North Channel is extremely preearious to
vessels drawing seven feet of water, and
impossible at low tides to any other Swash
Channel varies in depth from seven to ten
feet. Mathis Channel is narrow at the
bulkhead near Fort Moultrie jettee. The
entrances to Charleston are such that q
single vessel could easily blockade the har-
Dor without being molested from possible
Notifications on shore. Charleston is con-
neeted with the interior by the Ashley and
Cooper Rivers, and by two railroads that
join the national network. The entrance
70 Charleston is perfectly protected by Forts
Moultrie and Sumter, the latter on a shoal
near the channel. There are also military