Sector2.TheBahamasWesternPart21Douglas Road (Cochrane Anchorage), a seldom-used basintion and an almost unbroken chain of sunken and awash danto the S and W of Douglas Channel, has convenient anchoragegers in its middle and W portions.Hanover Sound (25°05'N., 77°16W.), about 3 miles N ofinitsWpart,inachartedpositionwithPotter Cay(inNassauHarbour) bearing 285° and almost in range with Fort Mon-NewProvidenceIsland Eextremity,isa comparatively deeptague, East End Point Light bearing253°,and PorgeeRockswaterbreakinthecoastalmarginenteredbetween SaltCayandLight bearing291°a sunken spit advancing NW from Rose Island Rocks.A conspicuous tower standing near Salt Cay Eextremity2.24NewProvidenceIsland(25°02'N..77°24'W.),ontheserves as a landmark for the entrance.Vessels make their ap-E side of the conjunction of Northeast Providence Channelproach from Northeast Providence Channel and, steering forwith Tongue of the Ocean, is one of the smaller islands of thethe quarantine house on Athol Island, proceed so as to passBahamas, having a surface area of only 58 square miles, but isNWof ChubRockLight.Pilotage is compulsory.farand away the most important in that it is inhabited by wellVessels enter and anchor, in 7 to 7.3m, sand and grass, withover one-half of the entire population of all the islands and isRoseIslandRocks bearing 045°and SaltCay's extremitybear-the site of the Commonwealth capital, Nassau.ing 341°. The anchorage is good during prevailing weatherconditions, but subject to a moderate surge during adverse con-ditionsfromtheNElsewhere along New Providence Island N side, with the ex-ception of NassauHarbour described below inparagraph2.26,-anchorages on the coastal margin are available only to smallboats able to negotiate intricate shoal water passages leadingthrougha multitude of sunkendangers.CliftonBluff.about1.5mileSEofGouldingCayattheWextremity of New Providence Island, rises in the vicinity of a1mile-long line of white cliffs which,falling awayprecipitously1into the sea, are the only place along the entire coast of the is-landwheredepths of over200m arefound less than 0.2mileoffshore.CliftonPier, about 0.5milefartherESE, has depthsof 3.7malongside and facilities for the landing of passengers fromcruiseshipswhich,unabletoenterNassauHarbourbecauseofadverseweather conditions,proceedtoCliftonBluffforshelParadise Island Lightter.2.25:CliftonPier(25°00'N..77°33W.)(WorldPortIndexNo.9995),an oil import terminal about1.7miles SEof Goulding Cay at New Providence Island's W extremity, consists ofsubmarinepipeline leading offshore to a central platformflanked by dolphins which form a berth aligned NW to SE in adepth of 12.2m.It was reported that the berth would acceptvessels with maximum draft of 11m.Pilotage.Pilotage is compulsory for vessels calling at theClifton Bluff area.Pilots board off Clifton Pier; not less than24 hours advance notice is required.Anchorage.Vessels anchor as charted SE of the offshoreoil terminal, in 14m sand, good holding ground. The frontrangebeacon of the076°range was reported tobedestroyed.Astack liesabout 0.5mileNof thebeacons.Paradise Island (background)and NewProvidence IslandAnchorageis alsoavailablefartherSE,in9.2m,in South(foreground)West Bay,with Clifton Bluff bearing about 322,distant1.5miles.The island is extensivelyforested with pine scrub and largelylow-lying throughout, particularly along the S side where theNassau(2505'N.,77°21'w.)coastbecomesswampy andfrontedbyshoal waterflats ex-tending well onto Great BahamaBank.WorldPortIndexNo.9990An almost uninterrupted ridge of forested hills rises just in-2.26Nassau is one of themajor deep-water ports of theBa-land of the N coast.The N side of the island is fronted by ahamasandportof callforcruiseships.Itisthecapital oftheshoal water coastal margin which, extending for the most partabout 1.5miles offshore,constitutes afoundationfor severalBahamasandthepivotalpointofalltrafficandcommerceirthe islands.Nassau Harbour lies on the N side of NewProvioff-lying scrub-covered elongated low-lying islets in its E por-Pub. 147
Sector 2. The Bahamas—Western Part 21 Pub. 147 2.23 Douglas Road (Cochrane Anchorage), a seldom-used basin to the S and W of Douglas Channel, has convenient anchorage in its W part, in a charted position with Potter Cay (in Nassau Harbour) bearing 285° and almost in range with Fort Montague, East End Point Light bearing 253°, and Porgee Rocks Light bearing 291°. 2.24 New Providence Island (25°02'N., 77°24'W.), on the E side of the conjunction of Northeast Providence Channel with Tongue of the Ocean, is one of the smaller islands of the Bahamas, having a surface area of only 58 square miles, but is far and away the most important in that it is inhabited by well over one-half of the entire population of all the islands and is the site of the Commonwealth capital, Nassau. 2.24 The island is extensively forested with pine scrub and largely low-lying throughout, particularly along the S side where the coast becomes swampy and fronted by shoal water flats extending well onto Great Bahama Bank. 2.24 An almost uninterrupted ridge of forested hills rises just inland of the N coast. The N side of the island is fronted by a shoal water coastal margin which, extending for the most part about 1.5 miles offshore, constitutes a foundation for several off-lying scrub-covered elongated low-lying islets in its E portion and an almost unbroken chain of sunken and awash dangers in its middle and W portions. 2.24 Hanover Sound (25°05'N., 77°16'W.), about 3 miles N of New Providence Island E extremity, is a comparatively deepwater break in the coastal margin entered between Salt Cay and a sunken spit advancing NW from Rose Island Rocks. 2.24 A conspicuous tower standing near Salt Cay E extremity serves as a landmark for the entrance. Vessels make their approach from Northeast Providence Channel and, steering for the quarantine house on Athol Island, proceed so as to pass NW of Chub Rock Light. 2.24 Pilotage is compulsory. 2.24 Vessels enter and anchor, in 7 to 7.3m, sand and grass, with Rose Island Rocks bearing 045° and Salt Cay’s extremity bearing 341°. The anchorage is good during prevailing weather conditions, but subject to a moderate surge during adverse conditions from the N. 2.24 Elsewhere along New Providence Island N side, with the exception of Nassau Harbour described below in paragraph 2.26, anchorages on the coastal margin are available only to small boats able to negotiate intricate shoal water passages leading through a multitude of sunken dangers. 2.24 Clifton Bluff, about 1.5 mile SE of Goulding Cay at the W extremity of New Providence Island, rises in the vicinity of a 1 mile-long line of white cliffs which, falling away precipitously into the sea, are the only place along the entire coast of the island where depths of over 200m are found less than 0.2 mile offshore. 2.24 Clifton Pier, about 0.5 mile farther ESE, has depths of 3.7m alongside and facilities for the landing of passengers from cruise ships which, unable to enter Nassau Harbour because of adverse weather conditions, proceed to Clifton Bluff for shelter. 2.25 Clifton Pier (25°00'N., 77°33'W.) (World Port Index No. 9995), an oil import terminal about 1.7 miles SE of Goulding Cay at New Providence Island’s W extremity, consists of submarine pipeline leading offshore to a central platform flanked by dolphins which form a berth aligned NW to SE in a depth of 12.2m. It was reported that the berth would accept vessels with maximum draft of 11m. 2.25 Pilotage.—Pilotage is compulsory for vessels calling at the Clifton Bluff area. Pilots board off Clifton Pier; not less than 24 hours advance notice is required. 2.25 Anchorage.—Vessels anchor as charted SE of the offshore oil terminal, in 14m sand, good holding ground. The front range beacon of the 076° range was reported to be destroyed. A stack lies about 0.5 mile N of the beacons. 2.25 Anchorage is also available farther SE, in 9.2m, in South West Bay, with Clifton Bluff bearing about 322°, distant 1.5 miles. Nassau (25°05'N., 77°21'W.) World Port Index No. 9990 2.26 Nassau is one of the major deep-water ports of the Bahamas and port of call for cruise ships. It is the capital of the Bahamas and the pivotal point of all traffic and commerce in the islands. Nassau Harbour lies on the N side of New ProviParadise Island Light Paradise Island (background) and New Providence Island (foreground)
22Sector2.TheBahamasWesternPartNassauHarborEast BreakwaterLightdence Island, bounded N by Silver Cay,Paradise Island, andsetexists outsidetheharborbutanEsetexistsinsidethebasinThis has been attributed to the ocean currents drawing waterAtholIsland:EbyalineformingtheEextremitiesofAthol Is-landandNewProvidenceIsland;andWbyalineextendingSout of the basin and around the E end of Paradise Island.from theW end of Silver Cay toNewProvidenceIsland.DepthsLimitations.-Theentrancechannelenteredbe-ThisnaturalharborhasbeendeepenedinitsWpartthroughtween thebreakwaters.isdredged toadepthof11.6m.Aturn-dredging and improved in its principal or W entrance bytheingbasin atthe SE terminus to the entrance channel is dredgedto depth of 11m, and contains the main cargo and passengerconstructionofshelteringbreakwaters.The harbor entrance channel between Paradise Island LightwharvesA side channel toArawak Cayisdredged to a depthof 8.2mandSilverCaywestbreakwateriswellbuovedandstraightfor-There is a wharf, about 0.2 mile in length, with an alongsideward and most of the largest passenger vessels are able to enterdepthof8.2mandberthalongsidePartofthechannel isusedbyseaplanes.asseenonthechart.Eastern Channel,which runs from the turning basin,pastPotter Cay and the yacht facilities, is suitable for vessels with aNassauisan importantcenterforcruisevesselsandhas 11berths for this purpose, including those extending from the fin-draftof3m,butshowsgreatercharteddepthsger pier whichhas dock spacefor four cruise liners.In badTwo bridges, with a maximum vertical clearance of 2lm,weather, cruise ships proceed to the SW anchorage at Cliftonspan the channel fromPotter CaytoParadiseIsland.PierPassenger Pier, with berthing space of 366m, has a dredgedWinds-Weather.The Nassau Marine Operator broad-depth of 11m alongside.The flood current sets N off Passenger Pier; the ebb currentcasts on VHF channel 27the latest weather information everyeven hour and on request.Vessels unableto enter the harborsets ontoPrince Georges Wharf.Three culverts passing under the arm connecting PassengerproceedtoCliftonPier.Tides-Currents.Mean High Water Springs rise 1.3m,Pier and Prince Georges Wharf allow the tidal current to flowwhileMHWNrise1.2m.through the basin.Tidal currents run E on the flood, W on the ebb, and usuallyAnother passengerpier,capableof accommodating cruiseflow at rates of about 1 knot, but may run at a greater strengthvesselsupto315mlongwithdraftsupto11m,is situatedat timesabout0.2mileNofPassengerPierDuring the flood current, it has been reported that a strong WPrinceGeorgesWharf,about305mlong,lies closeSof andPub.147
22 Sector 2. The Bahamas—Western Part Pub. 147 dence Island, bounded N by Silver Cay, Paradise Island, and Athol Island; E by a line forming the E extremities of Athol Island and New Providence Island; and W by a line extending S from the W end of Silver Cay to New Providence Island. 2.26 This natural harbor has been deepened in its W part through dredging and improved in its principal or W entrance by the construction of sheltering breakwaters. 2.26 The harbor entrance channel between Paradise Island Light and Silver Cay west breakwater is well buoyed and straight forward and most of the largest passenger vessels are able to enter and berth alongside. 2.26 Part of the channel is used by seaplanes, as seen on the chart. 2.26 Nassau is an important center for cruise vessels and has 11 berths for this purpose, including those extending from the finger pier which has dock space for four cruise liners. In bad weather, cruise ships proceed to the SW anchorage at Clifton Pier. 2.26 Winds—Weather.—The Nassau Marine Operator broadcasts on VHF channel 27 the latest weather information every even hour and on request. Vessels unable to enter the harbor proceed to Clifton Pier. 2.26 Tides—Currents.—Mean High Water Springs rise 1.3m, while MHWN rise 1.2m. 2.26 Tidal currents run E on the flood, W on the ebb, and usually flow at rates of about 1 knot, but may run at a greater strength at times. 2.26 During the flood current, it has been reported that a strong W set exists outside the harbor but an E set exists inside the basin. This has been attributed to the ocean currents drawing water out of the basin and around the E end of Paradise Island. 2.26 Depths—Limitations.—The entrance channel, entered between the breakwaters, is dredged to a depth of 11.6m. A turning basin at the SE terminus to the entrance channel is dredged to depth of 11m, and contains the main cargo and passenger wharves. 2.26 A side channel to Arawak Cay is dredged to a depth of 8.2m. There is a wharf, about 0.2 mile in length, with an alongside depth of 8.2m. 2.26 Eastern Channel, which runs from the turning basin, past Potter Cay and the yacht facilities, is suitable for vessels with a draft of 3m, but shows greater charted depths. 2.26 Two bridges, with a maximum vertical clearance of 21m, span the channel from Potter Cay to Paradise Island. 2.26 Passenger Pier, with berthing space of 366m, has a dredged depth of 11m alongside. 2.26 The flood current sets N off Passenger Pier; the ebb current sets onto Prince Georges Wharf. 2.26 Three culverts passing under the arm connecting Passenger Pier and Prince Georges Wharf allow the tidal current to flow through the basin. 2.26 Another passenger pier, capable of accommodating cruise vessels up to 315m long with drafts up to 11m, is situated about 0.2 mile N of Passenger Pier. 2.26 Prince Georges Wharf, about 305m long, lies close S of and Nassau Harbor East Breakwater Light
23Sector2.TheBahamasWesternPartis connectedtoPassengerPier.It has7.3to7.9mon itsNside,Bluffs offtheSWtipof NewProvidenceIslandand5.8to7mon itsSside.Caution.—Small craft anchorages, mooring cables, subma-Union Wharf, about 0.1 mileE of Prince Georges Wharf, hasrine pipelines and cables, and sea plane landing areas are locat-fiveberths.includingone95.4mlongwitha5.5mdraft.Theed in various areas of the harbor as may best be seen on theotherfour arenearly always occupiedbylocal cargovessels onchart.apermanentallocationbasis.Awharf,213mlongwithan alongsidedepthof7.3m,liesonGreatBahamaBank-EastSidethe N side of Potter Cay.2.27The E side of Great Bahama Bank,between EleutheraEsso Pier,projecting s from Paradise Island, lies about 0.3mile E of Prince Georges Wharf, and has an alongside depth ofIslandNextremityandCaySantoDomingosome235milesto5.5m.the SSE,is distinctive because of two large deep-water indenta-Pilotage.—Pilotage is compulsory and is available 24 hours.tions which, sweeping well into thebankfrom the open sea, areVessels should send ETA at least 48 hours in advance and con-borderedthroughout bya moreorlesscontinuous chain oftactthepilotstation (call sign:NassauHarbor Control)2hourselongatedislands,islets,andcays.prior to arrival on VHF channel 14 or 16.The pilot boardsExuma Sound,theNindentation,groups Eleuthera Islandtoabout 2miles N of theParadise Island breakwater entrancetheNandtheExumastotheW.LongIslandisbetweenthetwoPermission is required to enter port, depart, or move withinindentations,while the Ragged Islands and their continuationthe harbor.N front the W side of theS indentation.Eleuthera Island,Great Exuma Island and Long Island, theSignals.When the port is closed due to bad weather,a redlargestlandformsinthearea,areamongthemostnotableofflag will be displayed at the W end of Paradise Island by day.the Bahamas in that they are generally higher and more hilly:During dangerous entry conditions at night the color of the Par-their soil also supports significant agriculture and livestock op-adiseIsland Light ischangedto red.If sea conditionsduringerations.the day permit vessel entrybut not departure of boats from theThe lesser islets around Exuma Sound areused by pleasureharbor, a whiteflag is displayed at theflagstaff on theW end ofcraft.while those isolated islets around the indentation S ofParadise Island.Long Island are mostly without any particular interestVessels may anchor in the vicinity of the pilot station wherethe water depth permits.2.28Eleuthera Island(25°10'N.,76°14'W.),theNandlargest of the islands on theE side of Great Bahama Bank,hasits low-lying extreme N portion divided from the rolling hillsconstitutingitsmajorandconsiderably-elongatedSportionbyGlass Window, a large square notch which,interrupting a pre-cipitous terrain in the narrowest part of the island, is particular-lyconspicuousfromtheEand W.The soil is fertile in several areas and supports agriculturaland livestock activity. The E or windward side is largely reef-fringed,whilethecentral portion of the Worleewardsideisabrupt and fronted close up by a comparatively deep-water la-goon which may be entered by small vessels with local knowl-edgefromeitherNortheastProvidenceChannelorbywayofan intricate passage closeW of Powell Point,theN extremityof the SW side of theisland.A current,with a strong SE set,may sometimes run close ofEleuthera Island NE side,particularlyafter Nto NW winds,and thus counter to the prevalent NW set of the current fartheroffshore.FortFincastleDunmore Town (25°30'N.,76°38'W.), one of the oldestcommunities in the Bahamas, is on the W side of Harbour Is-Hurricane signals are hoisted at the lighthouse and at Fortland,a low-lyingpartially-wooded offshore land area close SEof Eleuthera Island's N extremity.A radio mast, marked by anFincastle.In the event that the storm is assessed to affect Newobstruction light, stands in the middle part of Harbour Island.Providence Island,a second flag,red withyellow stripes,isSmallvesselswithlocalknowledgemaketheirapproachei-hoistedbelowthenormalredflagwithblacksquarecenter.ther from the N,by way of an intricate passage leading closeAnchorage.Anchorage just off Nassau Harbor extendsoff EleutheraIsland'sN extremity,orfrom theopen sea by wayover an area N and E of the W end of Paradise Island, to ap-ofSouthBar.thepassageofHarbourIsland.Theleastfairwayproximately 0.5mile offshore where the water depth is toodepth is 4.3m; the tidal currents are strong,a swell is alwaysgreat.present, and the sea frequently breaks.Temporary anchorage for vessels not entering harbor may beobtained, in depths of 14m or deeper, about 0.1mileNof theEVesselsboundforDunmoreTownbywayofthepassageSofHarbour Island,steer for SouthBaron onaheadingof 214°andbreakwater light. This area is usable in S winds. Strong windsproceed so as tokeep to the N side of the fairway.They conve-from the N to NE require use of an anchorage near CliftonPub.147
Sector 2. The Bahamas—Western Part 23 Pub. 147 is connected to Passenger Pier. It has 7.3 to 7.9m on its N side, and 5.8 to 7m on its S side. 2.26 Union Wharf, about 0.1 mile E of Prince Georges Wharf, has five berths, including one 95.4m long with a 5.5m draft. The other four are nearly always occupied by local cargo vessels on a permanent allocation basis. 2.26 A wharf, 213m long with an alongside depth of 7.3m, lies on the N side of Potter Cay. 2.26 Esso Pier, projecting S from Paradise Island, lies about 0.3 mile E of Prince Georges Wharf, and has an alongside depth of 5.5m. 2.26 Pilotage.—Pilotage is compulsory and is available 24 hours. Vessels should send ETA at least 48 hours in advance and contact the pilot station (call sign: Nassau Harbor Control) 2 hours prior to arrival on VHF channel 14 or 16. The pilot boards about 2 miles N of the Paradise Island breakwater entrance. 2.26 Permission is required to enter port, depart, or move within the harbor. 2.26 Signals.—When the port is closed due to bad weather, a red flag will be displayed at the W end of Paradise Island by day. During dangerous entry conditions at night the color of the Paradise Island Light is changed to red. If sea conditions during the day permit vessel entry but not departure of boats from the harbor, a white flag is displayed at the flagstaff on the W end of Paradise Island. 2.26 Vessels may anchor in the vicinity of the pilot station where the water depth permits. 2.26 Hurricane signals are hoisted at the lighthouse and at Fort Fincastle. In the event that the storm is assessed to affect New Providence Island, a second flag, red with yellow stripes, is hoisted below the normal red flag with black square center. 2.26 Anchorage.—Anchorage just off Nassau Harbor extends over an area N and E of the W end of Paradise Island, to approximately 0.5 mile offshore where the water depth is too great. 2.26 Temporary anchorage for vessels not entering harbor may be obtained, in depths of 14m or deeper, about 0.1 mile N of the E breakwater light. This area is usable in S winds. Strong winds from the N to NE require use of an anchorage near Clifton Bluffs off the SW tip of New Providence Island. 2.26 Caution.—Small craft anchorages, mooring cables, submarine pipelines and cables, and sea plane landing areas are located in various areas of the harbor as may best be seen on the chart. Great Bahama Bank—East Side 2.27 The E side of Great Bahama Bank, between Eleuthera Island N extremity and Cay Santo Domingo some 235 miles to the SSE, is distinctive because of two large deep-water indentations which, sweeping well into the bank from the open sea, are bordered throughout by a more or less continuous chain of elongated islands, islets, and cays. 2.27 Exuma Sound, the N indentation, groups Eleuthera Island to the N and the Exumas to the W. Long Island is between the two indentations, while the Ragged Islands and their continuation N front the W side of the S indentation. 2.27 Eleuthera Island, Great Exuma Island and Long Island, the largest land forms in the area, are among the most notable of the Bahamas in that they are generally higher and more hilly; their soil also supports significant agriculture and livestock operations. 2.27 The lesser islets around Exuma Sound are used by pleasure craft, while those isolated islets around the indentation S of Long Island are mostly without any particular interest. 2.28 Eleuthera Island (25°10'N., 76°14'W.), the N and largest of the islands on the E side of Great Bahama Bank, has its low-lying extreme N portion divided from the rolling hills constituting its major and considerably-elongated S portion by Glass Window, a large square notch which, interrupting a precipitous terrain in the narrowest part of the island, is particularly conspicuous from the E and W. 2.28 The soil is fertile in several areas and supports agricultural and livestock activity. The E or windward side is largely reeffringed, while the central portion of the W or leeward side is abrupt and fronted close up by a comparatively deep-water lagoon which may be entered by small vessels with local knowledge from either Northeast Providence Channel or by way of an intricate passage close W of Powell Point, the N extremity of the SW side of the island. 2.28 A current, with a strong SE set, may sometimes run close off Eleuthera Island NE side, particularly after N to NW winds, and thus counter to the prevalent NW set of the current farther offshore. 2.28 Dunmore Town (25°30'N., 76°38'W.), one of the oldest communities in the Bahamas, is on the W side of Harbour Island, a low-lying partially-wooded offshore land area close SE of Eleuthera Island’s N extremity. A radio mast, marked by an obstruction light, stands in the middle part of Harbour Island. 2.28 Small vessels with local knowledge make their approach either from the N, by way of an intricate passage leading close off Eleuthera Island’s N extremity, or from the open sea by way of South Bar, the passage of Harbour Island. The least fairway depth is 4.3m; the tidal currents are strong, a swell is always present, and the sea frequently breaks. 2.28 Vessels bound for Dunmore Town by way of the passage S of Harbour Island, steer for South Baron on a heading of 214° and proceed so as to keep to the N side of the fairway. They conveFort Fincastle
24Sector2.The BahamasWesternPartniently anchor in East Harbor.just inside South Bar. in 7.4m.a distance of not less than 5miles off the cape.with Harbour Island W side bearing 350° and South Bar en-Long Island's E side is bold and.between Cape Santa Mariatrance point bearing 014°and Clarence Town (about 43 miles SSE),is particularly inhos-HatchetBayandGovernorsHarbouraresmallcommunitiespitablein thatcliffsfront on a narrow rock-strewn coastal maron Eleuthera Island's W side.The former is an outport for live-gin which, dropping away abruptly to ocean depths, arestock and poultry, while the latter is the administrative centerexposed to the effects of a usually prevailing heavy sea.Thisfor the island.Levi Island, small and narrow,has its S endstretch of the coast has not been closely examined and shouldabout o.5 mile W of the N entrance point of Governors Har-be avoided.bour.MillerAnchorage(24°39'N.,76°12'W.),onEleutheraIs-2.31ClarenceTown(23°06N.,74°58'W.),theadministra-land's SW side,has good anchorage in prevailing winds fortive center for Long Island, is a small community fronting onsmallvessels,in12.8m.Itisrecommendedthatvesselsprepareshoal water, which is poorly sheltered in general, lies with itstoleavethisanchorageshouldthewindsshifttotheWentrance open to winter winds,particularly those from the N.Patchesof 9m,1lm,and13m lie about5milesNof Eleuth-Larger vessels anchor outsidethe entrance,in18.3m,about1eraPoint(24°37'N.,76°09'W.),theSextremityof the island.mile N of Harbour Point, the W entrance point of the harborandclearofthesubmarinecable2.29The Exumas (24°00'N., 76°20'W.) are those islandsThe harbor can accommodate a few vessels with drafts of notand islets extending in uninterrupted series for a distance ofmore than 4m with local knowledge; being open to the NNW, itabout 130 miles along the entireW sideof Exuma Sound be-is much exposed during the winter months. A pilot is advisedtween Eleuthera Island in the N and Long Island to the S.Theyand is available.are conveniently divided into a N and S groupingTwo churches, each with two spires, are prominent. OneExuma Cays,theNgrouping,consistofa multitudeof small.stands 0.4mile SW of Harbour Point; the other stands aboutsparsely-populated islets which, scattered along the very edge0.5mileWSWof HarbourPoint.of Great Bahama Bank where it drops off abruptly intoExumaSouth Point, the S extremity of Long Island, is very low andSound. exhibit a wide variety in size and disparatecharacterdifficulttomakeout.Itisrecommended thatvesselsproceedranging from the low-lyingbarren sand to rollinghills andwith caution and identify the conspicuous white cliffs closedense vegetation. Many of the islets are privately owned and allNE; the 76m high radio mast close N; and Majors Hill, a re-areprimarilyofinteresttoyachtingandsmallboatenthusiastsmarkable46mhighsharppeakabout5milestotheNTidal currents are strong in the several passages leading fromLong Island's W side fronts on the shoal waters of Great Ba-the sound onto the bank; anchorages for ocean vessels are se-hama Bank and is of interest only to the small boat and yacht-ing enthusiast. The SW side changes to a series of irregularverely limited in number, in depth, and in swinging roomGreat Exuma Island and Little Exuma Island, the S group-lagoons and salt pans that front on a comparatively-broading,are by far the largestof the Exumas.They are comparativecoastal margin having good anchorage during prevailing Elyhilly alongtheNE orExuma Sound sideandlowandwinds.swampy on the SW or bank side. The soil is fertile and sup-Thebest anchorage and the one most convenient to ClarenceTown, on the opposite coast, has depths of 12.8 to 14.6m, coralports livestock and agriculture activity.and weed,Sw of the small boat facility GallowayLanding,2.30GeorgeTown(23°31'N..75°46'W.),the administra-andwithStephensonRockbearing303°,distantabout4miles.tive centerfor the Exumas, is on Great Exuma Island where itThe Ragged Islands, together with a more or less continuousfronts on alargelyshoalwaterbasin orlagoonthatisformedlineof islets and cavstotheN.formaremarkable.near semi-and somewhat sheltered to the NE by the wooded and off-lyingcircular chain of islands extending along the very edge of GreatStocking Island, together with the several islets of its continua-Bahama Bank E sidefor distance of about 90miles,from thetion to the NW and SE. Small vessels, with local knowledgemiddle of the side of Long Island generally S to Columbusand a high tide, may proceed to George Town from the NW byBank.way ofWest Channel.2.32Jumentos Cays (23°08'N., 75°30'W.)consist of aLargervessels.withadraftnodeeperthan4.6m.commonlyenterfromthe SEby way of Three-Fathom Channel and pro-chain of low-lying narrow islets considered by local authorityceed as far as Elizabeth Harbor or the dredged pool chartedtobebetween barren Nuevitas Rock and the distinctiveWaterclose NW.Cay,about22milesWSW.Pear CayPass,entered aboutmidLong Island (23°15'N., 75°06W.), the E of the islands onway along the islets between No Bush Cay and Pear Cay,is thethe Great Bahama Bank E side,differs from the other islands inentrance to an intricate channel which,available to small craftthe Bahama archipelago because of its rolling hills, bold head-withlocalknowledge,leadstoTongueoftheOceanlands, and high cliffs. The soil is quite fertile and there is con-BetweenJumentos Caysand theRagged Islands,about50siderable activity in agriculture and livestockmiles to the S,several access channels lead ontoGreat BahamaCape Santa Maria,the N extremity of LongIsland andBank and thence Wto Old Bahama Channelby way of apas-marked by a light,is a comparatively bold conspicuous head-sage which, available to small vessels with local knowledge,land extended several miles seaward by sunken dangers whichhas charted depths of7.3to9.2m.Man of War Channel,theNand deepest,has a leastdepthofbreak in heavy weather and remain difficult to detect during7.3m; Nurse Channel, the middle access, has a least chartedcalmweatherIt is recommendedthatvesselskeepwell seaward andpass atdepth of 5.8m; Raccoon Cut,the southernmost access, is avail-Pub. 147
24 Sector 2. The Bahamas—Western Part Pub. 147 niently anchor in East Harbor, just inside South Bar, in 7.4m, with Harbour Island W side bearing 350° and South Bar entrance point bearing 014°. 2.28 Hatchet Bay and Governors Harbour are small communities on Eleuthera Island’s W side. The former is an outport for livestock and poultry, while the latter is the administrative center for the island. Levi Island, small and narrow, has its S end about 0.5 mile W of the N entrance point of Governors Harbour. 2.28 Miller Anchorage (24°39'N., 76°12'W.), on Eleuthera Island’s SW side, has good anchorage in prevailing winds for small vessels, in 12.8m. It is recommended that vessels prepare to leave this anchorage should the winds shift to the W. 2.28 Patches of 9m, 11m, and 13m lie about 5 miles N of Eleuthera Point (24°37'N., 76°09'W.), the S extremity of the island. 2.29 The Exumas (24°00'N., 76°20'W.) are those islands and islets extending in uninterrupted series for a distance of about 130 miles along the entire W side of Exuma Sound between Eleuthera Island in the N and Long Island to the S. They are conveniently divided into a N and S grouping. 2.29 Exuma Cays, the N grouping, consist of a multitude of small, sparsely-populated islets which, scattered along the very edge of Great Bahama Bank where it drops off abruptly into Exuma Sound, exhibit a wide variety in size and disparate character ranging from the low-lying barren sand to rolling hills and dense vegetation. Many of the islets are privately owned and all are primarily of interest to yachting and small boat enthusiasts. 2.29 Tidal currents are strong in the several passages leading from the sound onto the bank; anchorages for ocean vessels are severely limited in number, in depth, and in swinging room. 2.29 Great Exuma Island and Little Exuma Island, the S grouping, are by far the largest of the Exumas. They are comparative ly hilly along the NE or Exuma Sound side and low and swampy on the SW or bank side. The soil is fertile and supports livestock and agriculture activity. 2.30 George Town (23°31'N., 75°46'W.), the administrative center for the Exumas, is on Great Exuma Island where it fronts on a largely shoal water basin or lagoon that is formed and somewhat sheltered to the NE by the wooded and off-lying Stocking Island, together with the several islets of its continuation to the NW and SE. Small vessels, with local knowledge and a high tide, may proceed to George Town from the NW by way of West Channel. 2.30 Larger vessels, with a draft no deeper than 4.6m, commonly enter from the SE by way of Three-Fathom Channel and proceed as far as Elizabeth Harbor or the dredged pool charted close NW. 2.30 Long Island (23°15'N., 75°06'W.), the E of the islands on the Great Bahama Bank E side, differs from the other islands in the Bahama archipelago because of its rolling hills, bold headlands, and high cliffs. The soil is quite fertile and there is considerable activity in agriculture and livestock. 2.30 Cape Santa Maria, the N extremity of Long Island and marked by a light, is a comparatively bold conspicuous headland extended several miles seaward by sunken dangers which break in heavy weather and remain difficult to detect during calm weather. 2.30 It is recommended that vessels keep well seaward and pass at a distance of not less than 5 miles off the cape. 2.30 Long Island’s E side is bold and. between Cape Santa Maria and Clarence Town (about 43 miles SSE), is particularly inhospitable in that cliffs front on a narrow rock-strewn coastal margin which, dropping away abruptly to ocean depths, are exposed to the effects of a usually prevailing heavy sea. This stretch of the coast has not been closely examined and should be avoided. 2.31 Clarence Town (23°06'N., 74°58'W.), the administrative center for Long Island, is a small community fronting on shoal water, which is poorly sheltered in general, lies with its entrance open to winter winds, particularly those from the N. 2.31 Larger vessels anchor outside the entrance, in 18.3m, about 1 mile N of Harbour Point, the W entrance point of the harbor and clear of the submarine cable. 2.31 The harbor can accommodate a few vessels with drafts of not more than 4m with local knowledge; being open to the NNW, it is much exposed during the winter months. A pilot is advised and is available. 2.31 Two churches, each with two spires, are prominent. One stands 0.4 mile SW of Harbour Point; the other stands about 0.5 mile WSW of Harbour Point. 2.31 South Point, the S extremity of Long Island, is very low and difficult to make out. It is recommended that vessels proceed with caution and identify the conspicuous white cliffs close NE; the 76m high radio mast close N; and Majors Hill, a remarkable 46m high sharp peak about 5 miles to the N. 2.31 Long Island’s W side fronts on the shoal waters of Great Bahama Bank and is of interest only to the small boat and yachting enthusiast. The SW side changes to a series of irregular lagoons and salt pans that front on a comparatively-broad coastal margin having good anchorage during prevailing E winds. 2.31 The best anchorage and the one most convenient to Clarence Town, on the opposite coast, has depths of 12.8 to 14.6m, coral and weed, SW of the small boat facility Galloway Landing, and with Stephenson Rock bearing 303°, distant about 4 miles. 2.31 The Ragged Islands, together with a more or less continuous line of islets and cays to the N, form a remarkable, near semicircular chain of islands extending along the very edge of Great Bahama Bank E side for distance of about 90 miles, from the middle of the side of Long Island generally S to Columbus Bank. 2.32 Jumentos Cays (23°08'N., 75°30'W.) consist of a chain of low-lying narrow islets considered by local authority to be between barren Nuevitas Rock and the distinctive Water Cay, about 22 miles WSW. Pear Cay Pass, entered about midway along the islets between No Bush Cay and Pear Cay, is the entrance to an intricate channel which, available to small craft with local knowledge, leads to Tongue of the Ocean. 2.32 Between Jumentos Cays and the Ragged Islands, about 50 miles to the S, several access channels lead onto Great Bahama Bank and thence W to Old Bahama Channel by way of a passage which, available to small vessels with local knowledge, has charted depths of 7.3 to 9.2m. 2.32 Man of War Channel, the N and deepest, has a least depth of 7.3m; Nurse Channel, the middle access, has a least charted depth of 5.8m; Raccoon Cut, the southernmost access, is avail-
25Sector2.TheBahamasWesternPartable to vessels with a draft no deeper than3.6mCat Island's NW extremity is radar conspicuous at 12 miles.RaggedIsland(2212'N.,75°44'W.)andLittleRaggedIs-The E side of the island, for the greater part of its length, island,witha combined surfacearea of onlyabout5 squarebold, rocky, and steep-to, though the area has not been closelymiles,arewindswept.largelybarren.and alternatelyhilly andexamined.swampy.Duncan Town, theadministrative center fortheseis-TheSsidehasseveralremarkablebluffsbetweenColumbuslands under discussion, is on Ragged Island.Point,the SE extremity of the island, and Hawks Nest Point,RaggedIslandsAnchorage(22°09'N..7544'W.)isclosethe low and sandy SW extremity.W of Little Ragged Island. It has good anchorage, in depths ofThe W side is fronted by a broad and somewhat encumbered6.1 to 6.7m, sand, clear of two rocky patches, with Littleshoal water coastal bank which extends between Hawks NestRagged Island S extremity bearing 097° and Point Wilson onPointandLittleSanSalvador.totheNRagged Island bearing 0040.Small vessels with local knowledge anchor as convenientthroughout the bank during calm weather and prevailing wind2.33Columbus Bank is between the Ragged Islands andconditions.CaySantoDomingo,the southernmost extension of Great Ba-2.35LittleSanSalvador(LittleIsland)(24°34Nhama Bank, and continues E about 30 miles to CayVerde as a75°56W.)is a thickly-vegetated hilly islet which,rising aroundcomparatively broad and much encumbered gigantic spit orsemi-plateau rising steep-to from ocean depths.a large interior shoal water lagoon,is about midway along subThe N side of this bank is free of dangers for a distance of 15marine ridge joining Cat Island's N extremity with EleutheramilesEofLittleRaggedIsland.withdepthsofnotlessthanIsland's S extremity.The passage over the ridge to the W of the islet, and thus into12.8m,exceptfora9.lmshoal6milesto theSEFarther E, there are a number of heads, with depths of lessExuma Sound from theN,is considerably conditionedby shoalthan 5.5m, on the very edge of this bank, but S of these headsdepths and sunken dangers so that the transit in deepest waterthere are depths of not less than 1lm, clear white, coral sand.is closer to Little San Salvador than Eleuthera Island. The pas-The NE end is encumbered with rocky heads and is very dan-sage over the ridge to the E of the islet is not recommended.gerous.Cay Verde (22°00'N., 75°11'W.),near the E side of Colum-WestBay,close SE of LittleSan Salvador extremity,has re-bus Bank, is a small scrub-covered narrow islet, low-lying onportedly excellent anchorage for small vessels over a goodholding ground of hard sand.It is sheltered from all but SW toitsNside.butrisingtoa22mhighhill onitsSside.The W side of the islet has anchorage,in about 12.8m, butNNW windswhich send in swells.Conception Island is the smallest and S of the islands front-the area is not recommended during strong breezes because atsuchtimes a heavy swell sets around each extremity of the isletingExumaSound.Oceancurrentsintheiroffingcommonlysetand thereafter into the anchorage.NW,while closer in they tend to combinewith tidal currents sothat resultant flow, particularly near Rum Cay, is often quiteOff-lying Islandsvariableinsetandstrength.Between the two islands, the set is commonly strong and to2.34The several islands off the E side of Great Bahamathe NW, although a SW set may occur as well as an oppositeBank,specificallythose in the seaward approaches to Exumaone to theNE,especiallyafterN winds.Sound, include Cat Island and Conception Island2.36ConceptionIsland (23°50'N.,75°07"W.)is hilly andThey are generally without significance to ocean vessels andare somewhat outside the areas more frequently visited byscrub-covered.WedgePoint.its Sextremity.is a conspicuouswhite bluff. The island is uninhabited, steep-to on its W side,pleasurecraft,yettheyareuniqueinatleasttworespectsCat Island, in this regard, is considered to be the highest ofand fronted everywhereelseby a comparativelybroad marginall the islands in the Bahamas archipelago and was alsoofimperfectly-chartedfoulground.thought to be the first land of the New World sighted by Chris-Approach from the E is dangerous in that, even by day, thetopher Columbus. San Salvador Island, the island farthest todark rocky heads of the foul ground are difficult to distinguishtheEofExumaSound.isnowgenerallyacknowledgedtobefromdeepwater.Conception Island's NW side has good anchorage, in 1lm,thefirstlandfallsightedbyColumbusOctober12.1492Cat Island (24°20N., 75°30'W.), largest of the islands front-clear white sand, about 0.3 mile offshore and with West CayingExumaSoundandwithamaximumelevationof122mnearbearing due N, distant about 1 mile.Closer inshore, the bottomits NW end, highest of all the Bahamas, is quite hilly, some-becomesfoul.what forested with trees of pine, cedar and mahogany,and byThe anchorage is sheltered from winds between NNE andSSEthroughE.repute,the single most fertile island of the entire archipelagofor the growing of tropical fruit.Southampton Reef, some of which uncovers,extends about4The population numbers several thousand distributed amongmiles N of Conception Island. A partially-submerged wreck ishalf adozen or more small communities.Arthurs Town,in theat its Nextremity.The depths E of SouthamptonReefare irregular.N,and TheBight,intheS,areadministrativecenters.Pub.147
Sector 2. The Bahamas—Western Part 25 Pub. 147 able to vessels with a draft no deeper than 3.6m. 2.32 Ragged Island (22°12'N., 75°44'W.) and Little Ragged Island, with a combined surface area of only about 5 square miles, are windswept, largely barren, and alternately hilly and swampy. Duncan Town, the administrative center for these islands under discussion, is on Ragged Island. 2.32 Ragged Islands Anchorage (22°09'N., 75°44'W.) is close W of Little Ragged Island. It has good anchorage, in depths of 6.1 to 6.7m, sand, clear of two rocky patches, with Little Ragged Island S extremity bearing 097° and Point Wilson on Ragged Island bearing 004°. 2.33 Columbus Bank is between the Ragged Islands and Cay Santo Domingo, the southernmost extension of Great Bahama Bank, and continues E about 30 miles to Cay Verde as a comparatively broad and much encumbered gigantic spit or semi-plateau rising steep-to from ocean depths. 2.33 The N side of this bank is free of dangers for a distance of 15 miles E of Little Ragged Island, with depths of not less than 12.8m, except for a 9.1m shoal 6 miles to the SE. 2.33 Farther E, there are a number of heads, with depths of less than 5.5m, on the very edge of this bank, but S of these heads, there are depths of not less than 11m, clear white, coral sand. The NE end is encumbered with rocky heads and is very dangerous. 2.33 Cay Verde (22°00'N., 75°11'W.), near the E side of Columbus Bank, is a small scrub-covered narrow islet, low-lying on its N side, but rising to a 22m high hill on its S side. 2.33 The W side of the islet has anchorage, in about 12.8m, but the area is not recommended during strong breezes because at such times a heavy swell sets around each extremity of the islet and thereafter into the anchorage. Off–lying Islands 2.34 The several islands off the E side of Great Bahama Bank, specifically those in the seaward approaches to Exuma Sound, include Cat Island and Conception Island. 2.34 They are generally without significance to ocean vessels and are somewhat outside the areas more frequently visited by pleasure craft, yet they are unique in at least two respects. 2.34 Cat Island, in this regard, is considered to be the highest of all the islands in the Bahamas archipelago and was also thought to be the first land of the New World sighted by Christopher Columbus. San Salvador Island, the island farthest to the E of Exuma Sound, is now generally acknowledged to be the first landfall sighted by Columbus October 12, 1492. 2.34 Cat Island (24°20'N., 75°30'W.), largest of the islands fronting Exuma Sound and with a maximum elevation of 122m near its NW end, highest of all the Bahamas, is quite hilly, somewhat forested with trees of pine, cedar and mahogany, and by repute, the single most fertile island of the entire archipelago for the growing of tropical fruit. 2.34 The population numbers several thousand distributed among half a dozen or more small communities. Arthurs Town, in the N, and The Bight, in the S, are administrative centers. 2.34 Cat Island’s NW extremity is radar conspicuous at 12 miles. The E side of the island, for the greater part of its length, is bold, rocky, and steep-to, though the area has not been closely examined. 2.34 The S side has several remarkable bluffs between Columbus Point, the SE extremity of the island, and Hawks Nest Point, the low and sandy SW extremity. 2.34 The W side is fronted by a broad and somewhat encumbered shoal water coastal bank which extends between Hawks Nest Point and Little San Salvador, to the N. 2.34 Small vessels with local knowledge anchor as convenient throughout the bank during calm weather and prevailing wind conditions. 2.35 Little San Salvador (Little Island) (24°34'N., 75°56'W.) is a thickly-vegetated hilly islet which, rising around a large interior shoal water lagoon, is about midway along submarine ridge joining Cat Island’s N extremity with Eleuthera Island’s S extremity. 2.35 The passage over the ridge to the W of the islet, and thus into Exuma Sound from the N, is considerably conditioned by shoal depths and sunken dangers so that the transit in deepest water is closer to Little San Salvador than Eleuthera Island. The passage over the ridge to the E of the islet is not recommended. 2.35 West Bay, close SE of Little San Salvador extremity, has reportedly excellent anchorage for small vessels over a good holding ground of hard sand. It is sheltered from all but SW to NNW winds which send in swells. 2.35 Conception Island is the smallest and S of the islands fronting Exuma Sound. Ocean currents in their offing commonly set NW, while closer in they tend to combine with tidal currents so that resultant flow, particularly near Rum Cay, is often quite variable in set and strength. 2.35 Between the two islands, the set is commonly strong and to the NW, although a SW set may occur as well as an opposite one to the NE, especially after N winds. 2.36 Conception Island (23°50'N., 75°07'W.) is hilly and scrub-covered. Wedge Point, its S extremity, is a conspicuous white bluff. The island is uninhabited, steep-to on its W side, and fronted everywhere else by a comparatively broad margin of imperfectly-charted foul ground. 2.36 Approach from the E is dangerous in that, even by day, the dark rocky heads of the foul ground are difficult to distinguish from deep water. 2.36 Conception Island’s NW side has good anchorage, in 11m, clear white sand, about 0.3 mile offshore and with West Cay bearing due N, distant about 1 mile. Closer inshore, the bottom becomes foul. 2.36 The anchorage is sheltered from winds between NNE and SSE through E. Southampton Reef, some of which uncovers, extends about 4 miles N of Conception Island. A partially-submerged wreck is at its N extremity. The depths E of Southampton Reef are irregular