rilLING DIRECTIONS, 
 
 TO ACCOMPANV 
 
 MAJOR J. D. GRAHAM'S CHART 
 
 CAPE COD HAEBOE. 
 
 WITH EXTRACTS FROIVI HTS REPORT ON THE TIDES, 
 SOUNDINGS, CURRENTS, (Sec. 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 I. W. p. LEWIS, 
 
 civil. ENGINEER. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 PUBLISHED BY THE BOSTON MARINE INSURANCE OFFICES. 
 
 1841. 
 
 *. tf. DICKINSON, PBlNTBa. 
 
I 
 
SAILING DIRECTIONS, 
 
 TO ACCOSIPANY 
 
 MAJOR J. D. GRAHAM'S CHART 
 
 CAPE COD HAEBOE. 
 
 WITH EXTRACTS FROM HIS REPORT ON THE TIDES, 
 SOUNDINGS, CURRENTS, &c. 
 
 EDITED Bt 
 
 I. W. p. lEWIS, 
 
 CIVIL ENGINEER. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 PUBLISHED BY THE BOSTON MARINE INSURANCE OFFICES. 
 
 1841. 
 
 Ol 
 
 jLf-^ 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 The necessity of a liarhor of rofiigr for sliippiiif: diirinjj llic prevalence 
 of the violent north-east storms that ravage our roast, has always been se- 
 verely fdt, while tlie dreadful wrecks that anmiaily occur, are sullicieiitly 
 painful evidence that one of the finest haviMis on the Atlantic sea-hoard is 
 comparatively iniknown, or known only to he feareil hy the majority of 
 naviijalops. Among all the ports and harhors in this country, there is 
 scarcely one so easy of access in all weathers, so nohly capacious, or that 
 aft'ords such complete shelter and secure anchorage for vessels of every 
 class, ns Cape Cod, or, as it is sometimes called, I'rovincctown Harbor. 
 During our wars with Great JJritain, the enemy, fully aware of its excel- 
 lence as a rendezvous of easy ingress and egress, and as aflbrdiug them 
 the means of a watering i)lace for their fleets, kept j)ossepsion of it for a 
 long time; in fact, it might he considered their head-quarters on this coast. 
 
 The approach to Cape Cod, jiarticularly in the winter season, is almost 
 disheartening, tiom the forbidding asjject of its barren sands, the long 
 ranges of breakers, and the surf thundering on the beach — but notwith- 
 standing this unpromising ap|)earance, the peculiar form of the coast is 
 such, that once fairly within the harbor, no seaman would ask for a better 
 anchorage, while abundance of |)ure water, and supplies of every descrip- 
 tion may be obtained on shore at Provincetow'n. 
 
 Personal acquaintance with the excellences of this harbor, and some 
 exjiericnce in the dangerous navigation of the vicinity, have induced the 
 writer to propose to the Jioston 3Iarine Insurance Companies the reduc- 
 tion to a nautical form, and the ])ublicatioii of Major J. D. Graham's ad- 
 mirable Survey of the Extremity of Cape Cod, (including the harl)or and 
 adjacent shores of Provincctown and Truro,) which pro|)()sition they have 
 met in the most liberal maimer, being convinced that the knowledge of 
 thissiu'vey, extended and dilfused amongst all classes of navigators, might 
 be the means of saving valuable lives and property from the almost cer- 
 tain destruction attending a shipwreck on this portion of our coast. 
 
 Doubtless, many vessels lost in Jioston 15ay, might have bc+'n saved by 
 running for Ca|)e Cod Harbor or Herring Cove, if seamen had felt that 
 entire confidence, which can be derived only from previous knowledge of 
 the coast, or from a chart, showing all the approaches in the tiiost distinct 
 manner. 
 
 Such a chart is now presented to the nautical world, with the utmost 
 confidence in its accuracy, resulting from liie high re|)utation of its author 
 in conducting surveys of this character, and from the j>ersonal interest he 
 has taken in the present |)ublication, which is here gratefully acknowledged. 
 If it shoulrl be the means of saving one fellow-creature from the dangers 
 of shij)wreck, the labors of the writer would be more than repaid. 
 
 I. W. P. LEWIS. 
 
 Boston, December, 1841. 
 
 
POINTS 
 
 or DEPARTURE. 
 
 
 
 
 Nortli latitude. 
 
 West longitude. 
 
 In time. 
 
 Truro light-house, or Highlands 
 Race Point light-house 
 Long Point light-house 
 Universalist church steeple of) 
 Provincetown ^ 
 
 42" 2' 19" 
 42 3 33.G 
 42 1 55 
 
 42 2 46.4 
 
 70o 4' 22.5" 
 70 15 17.3 
 70 10 50 
 
 70 12 7.9 
 
 4h. 40m 
 4 41 
 4 40 
 
 4 40 
 
 17.810s. 
 
 1.1 
 43 
 
 43.5 
 
Blunt's Coast Pilot contains full and ample direc- 
 tions for entering Cape Cod Harbor, but in case any 
 one should be without that valuable work, we subjoin 
 the following 
 
 SAILING DIRECTIONS. 
 
 With a good breeze from the westward, or a leading 
 wind, you may approach Cape Cod, off the Highland 
 Light, as near as two miles, and if you wish to take 
 advantage of the tide, you may run the shore along, 
 preserving the same offing, until you draw up with 
 Race Point Light, when, if bound into Cape Cod Har- 
 bor, you may pass this Light within one half mile. 
 
 TO ENTER CAFE COD HARBOR. 
 
 Bring Race Point Light to bear east, distant one half 
 of a mile, then run S. S. E. three and a half miles, 
 which will clear Wood End Bar, and open Long Point 
 Light, bearing N. E. by E. half E. Haul up east, and 
 run two miles ; then N. E., until abreast of Long Point 
 Light, which you will round at a distance of not less 
 than one third of a mile, until you head up W. N. W., 
 when you enter the harbor on that course, or anything 
 to the northward of it, and anchor in from eight to nine 
 fathoms, with Long Point Light bearing from S. E. to 
 South. 
 
 If caught in Boston Bay, with an easterly storm, 
 your safest course is to run for Race Point Light, and 
 if you can bring it to bear E. N. E., you then steer E. 
 S. E., and anchor in Herring Cove, in not less than 
 three nor more than seven fathoms water, as the bottom 
 is steep, and you may drag off, if in deep water. If 
 
you fail to make a harbor at Herring Cove, you must 
 then run for Cape Cod Harbor, and steer as before 
 directed. 
 
 NOTICE, 
 
 1 . That all the soundings on this chart are laid down 
 in feet, at mean low water. 
 
 2. That all the courses or bearings named in the 
 sailing directions, arc magnetic or compass bearings. 
 
 3. That the magnetic variation of the compass was 
 nine degrees twenty minutes west, at the date of the 
 survey. 
 
 4. That the time of high water at full and change of 
 the moon, is eleven hours twenty minutes; and the 
 mean rise of the tides is nine feet. 
 
 5. That Truro, Cape Cod, or Highland Light, as it 
 is variously called, is di fixed light of the first magnitude, 
 standing at an elevation of one hundred and sixty-seven 
 feet above mean low water ; and visible in clear weath- 
 er distinctly, as far as the curvature of the earth will 
 admit, say eighteen miles, when the observer is placed 
 thirteen feet above the level of the sea. When the 
 barometer ranges very high, and the atmosphere is 
 clear, this light can be seen thirty miles. 
 
 6. That Race Point Light is a revolving hght, with 
 its eclipses occurring about every minute and a half. 
 This is a very feeble light, and not readily distinguished 
 when there are many fishermen in Herring Cove, as 
 they all show lights. Its elevation is thirty-four feet 
 above mean low water; and limit of visibility, eight miles. 
 To distinguish this from Boston Light, (which is a re- 
 volving light of the first magnitude,) tlie lantern is 
 
screened on one side, so that you do not open tlic li£r)it 
 until it bears S. S. AV. Ironi you. It may be approached 
 safely within one third of a mile. 
 
 7. Long Point Light is a fixed harbor Jiirht ; its ele- 
 vation thirty-four feet above mean low water, and its 
 limit of visibility eight nnles in clear weather. It stands 
 on a low, narrow spit of sand, that reaches out five 
 hundred and twenty yards to the eastward of the light, 
 forming a bar steep to. Whh the light bearing due 
 west quarter of a mile distant, you will have five" fath- 
 oms on this bar, and it is not prudent to approach it 
 any nearer. 
 
 If beating into Cape Cod Harbor, stand to the east- 
 ward until you get four fathoms — but to the westward 
 tack in eight fathoms, if within Long Point, as it shoals 
 very abruptly from that depth to the beach. 
 
 The following remarks upon the tides, soundinirs, 
 and currents of Cape Cod Harbor and its adjace'nt 
 coasts, are extracted from the Report of Major J. D. 
 Graham, to the Chief Engineer of the Topogra])hical 
 Bureau, Col. J. J. Abert, upon the completion of the 
 survey and original chart.* 
 
 OBSERVATZOKS UPON THE TIDES. 
 
 In order to obtain as correct information as practi- 
 cable, in relation to the flow of the tides, and the influ- 
 ence of the winds upon them, a series of observations 
 
 * A Report upon the I\Iilitary and Hydrograi)l)ical Chart of the Ex- 
 tremity of Cape Cod, inchjding the Townships of I'rovincetown and 
 Truro, with their Sea-coast and Ship Harbor; projected from Surveys 
 executed during portions of the years 1833, 1834, and 1835, under the 
 direction of James D. Graham, Major U. S. Topographical Engineers. 
 
 ~f'^- 
 
was commenced at Provincetown, Cape Cod Harbor, 
 on the 1st day of July, 1833, and continued without in- 
 termission until the 27th of January, 1834, during which 
 period, the time and height, as measured by a perma- 
 nent tide-staff, of every high and every low tide, were 
 carefully registered, excepting only a very few casual 
 omissions. All the high tides and some of the low tides 
 were also registered, from the last-mentioned date to 
 the 2d of March following. Similar registers were kept 
 of the high and low tides at the same place, between 
 the 26th of August and the 21st of September, 1834; 
 also, between the 28th of May and the 27th of July, 
 1835. In this manner were obtained the times and 
 the heights of the surface of the sea, for 634 high tides 
 and 569 low tides within the harbor, accompanied by 
 simultaneous remarks upon the direction and strength 
 of the winds, the weather, &c. A similar series of ob- 
 servations was made at Race Point, between the 11th 
 of August and the 30th of September, 1833, and from 
 the 3d to the 23d of September, 1834, embracing 135 
 high tides and 123 low tides. 
 
 The annexed tables, P and Q, will show the general 
 results of all the observations upon the tides, both in the 
 harbor and at Race Point. It will be seen by these 
 tables that the mean flow of the tide at each of these 
 places is 9.26 feet. A sufficient number of observa- 
 tions was not made to obtain with accuracy the mean 
 flow of spring tides at Race Point, but in the harbor it 
 was ascertained to be 13.87 feet. 
 
 It is believed by us that there is no considerable dif- 
 ference in the flow of the tide on the coast anywhere 
 
between Truro Light-house and Cape Cod Harbor, 
 except what may casually result from the influence ol 
 the winds, notwithstanding a diflfcrent impression has 
 prevailed with many persons in this section of country 
 upon this subject. 
 
 TABLE p. 
 
 A RECAPITULATION, allowing the (low of the liiloB nt Provincetowk HiRBon, Capb 
 Cod, Massachl'setts, aa deducod rrom 034 registered high tides and 5r/.l registered low lidoB, 
 measured by apernnanent tide-staff, graduated into feet and decimals of feet, during the respec- 
 tive periods herein stated, between the 1st July, 1833, and the 27th July, 1635. 
 
 •JoqjBH n;«o).-oiiiA.uj 
 ui 'ip^uiioap pun ]D3j ai 'pou-xl ^Ati 
 
 i/v "C f^ -r -7; r- 
 — — 'T CI -^ 'M 
 
 •T « Ti c^ c -r 
 
 ^P 
 
 o-< 
 
 Ol 
 
 J (J» 50 
 
 CI 
 
 Ji 
 
 ■Mdi;u 
 
 qsws jo| tupti aip JO Avon ukoiv 
 
 c^^ cs a; c; o 
 
 o^ci 
 
 cic; 
 
 <r. 
 
 d 
 
 
 
 cl-i 
 
 'J9JVAV M0| )B 
 
 Sf2?§S3 
 
 5=53 
 
 S?: 
 
 ""S~ 
 
 S BT 
 
 
 eco 
 
 
 Si"^ 
 
 tDpi] oqi HE JO US,)J^ 
 
 -^ *0 ITS irt CO lO 
 
 00 sot 
 
 ■>!• n 
 
 ^ 
 
 *^ C « 
 
 
 c — 
 
 
 £ £.6 
 
 
 Crf po 00 CO rQ ro 
 
 !n:5 ri 
 
 ri n 
 
 ro 
 
 .5 ^-= 
 
 
 t e* 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 c 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 m 
 
 
 = •=■•!• 
 
 
 o in 1-0 to c o 
 
 lO Tf ■?! C-J O O 
 
 
 c o 
 
 o 
 
 f<,5 
 
 
 
 taiS 
 
 
 
 
 c m o 
 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 2 is- 
 1 "^ 
 
 IffVO'^ 
 
 >-; -^^ "T O CJ O 
 
 O — T 
 
 00 ^ 
 
 o 
 
 ;3_o 
 
 
 .£ > 
 
 (- 
 
 
 
 d-; -; 
 
 ■'-■ 
 
 d 
 
 ec to 
 
 m 
 
 JZ 
 
 
 
 % - 
 
 
 O lO '* "^ O O 
 
 o 5 in 
 
 c o 
 
 o 
 
 ■£" 
 
 ^ 
 
 •IwinoJO 
 
 ssssss 
 
 gg2 
 
 a>(s 
 
 § 
 
 c 
 
 
 
 S 5 
 ■* 
 
 ^ 
 
 sll 
 
 
 uj'<r in in irio 
 
 in^ in 
 
 -r -r 
 
 so 
 
 a 5 
 
 0. 
 
 t* 
 
 o 
 .J 
 
 
 gg^Sf^S 
 
 o ^ in 
 
 
 o 
 
 ■3 a 
 
 es 
 
 
 
 ■BlUUIlDOp pUTI J33J 111 'pDiSl 
 
 •siidj «ap]i «o[ oip ii» JO i"»S 
 
 — ^ .n =5 o i> 
 (m"^ !.•; c> r- rf 
 
 5 t; o 
 
 00 in 
 
 o 
 
 3 
 
 'T-a 
 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 '^ 
 
 
 
 
 ii 
 
 
 
 ..* 
 
 
 
 9 a 
 
 
 ■paiainSu lapp aoijo -ox 
 
 m S^ w in CO 
 
 moo 
 
 ss 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 'it 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 *: "a 
 
 
 |.S 
 
 
 00 SB X oo -r s> 
 
 _,_„ 
 
 00 ■«■ 
 
 o 
 
 = 2 
 :: 
 
 
 ■jai^M q^iq iv 
 
 sss 
 
 (OOO 
 
 5 
 
 is 
 
 e 
 
 JZ a 
 te— 
 
 
 •sppaipiiojouBaiv 
 
 <ri oi Ti Ti (N (N 
 
 <N ci oi 
 
 oioJ 
 
 ni 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 js 
 
 
 If 
 .1 
 
 
 .-< F-. rt -^ ^ -^ 
 
 1— 1 -^ ^^ 
 
 I-.-H 
 
 ^ 
 
 S2 
 
 « 
 
 ■£"3 
 
 
 
 in — in t.'; o 00 
 
 - «" 
 
 o in 
 
 
 ,• 
 
 
 
 rt-O 
 
 
 •>r — «~S # 
 
 »n in o 
 
 c^t^ 
 
 in 
 
 1 
 
 •COO 
 
 
 r c3 
 
 
 111 
 
 •ICT^I 
 
 
 ood 
 
 ^ 1^ 
 
 ~d 
 
 d 
 
 1 
 
 V ^ 
 
 
 
 ^^ "^ -^ 
 
 — ^^ 
 
 
 
 
 V. S3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 "3 <-^ 
 
 
 
 ■< 
 
 °i| 
 
 
 in o o c o o 
 
 c o « 
 
 o o 
 
 o 
 
 
 n 1 
 
 "■5 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 r~ o in = X a> 
 
 i^ m to 
 
 o — 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 3 "-^ 
 
 
 O — t>; O » O 
 
 CO -a; r» 
 
 o -^ 
 
 o_ 
 
 
 
 ^ 3 
 
 X 
 
 J= V -3 
 
 ■J«3)11MO 
 
 ^ in TT o V 'r 
 
 in in ^ 
 
 in ^ 
 
 o" 
 
 ? 
 
 
 0) 
 
 o 
 
 X a a 
 
 
 
 f— « 1— t ^^ 
 
 "^ »— 1 
 
 •"• 
 
 ^ . . 
 
 
 3 © 
 
 H 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 — J3 
 
 
 in CI in ino o 
 
 ooo 
 
 C50 
 
 to 
 
 s S 
 
 < 
 
 •mnoi^'P 1'"' '"J "! 'paj'l 
 -•liij »jp!) ifSiq aqi iiBjo uing 
 
 r^ ob -H r» 00 C5 
 cnojo -^ — oq 
 o rf —■ cri 00 o> 
 (» N i>- r* t^ r^ 
 
 o5) « 
 r~«5to 
 
 
 oo'' 
 
 is 
 
 X ° 
 
 tC IB 
 
 hi 
 
 
 
 s 
 
 
 
 s. 
 
 ^ 2 
 
 o« 
 
 il 
 
 •pwoinS*! «jpn <j3ni JO 'Ofj 
 
 u3oS<c JnS 
 
 oinS 
 
 
 s 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 c c 
 
 
 
 c 
 
 .C bs 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 1 1 1 
 
 ' ' 
 
 d^m' 
 
 J? 2 
 
 
 1 
 
 a 
 
 s. 
 
 C 
 
 
 o> 
 
 
 ^ 3 f? 
 5)'' ^ 
 
 ^ 3,-r 
 
 O £<M 
 <- & >. 
 
 ° s = 
 
 ■3 o"? 
 
 fcfe 
 
 a 
 
 
 11 o- 
 
 S S ,>^S| . 
 
 52 
 
 on CO 
 
 
 « 
 c 
 
 5. 
 
 
 
 " = e E s 
 
 >.S 
 
 
 C; ^ d 
 
 c c 
 •5-5 
 
 a a 
 
 "o 
 
 
 e: 
 
 c 
 
 it. 
 
 
 
 "s 
 
 1 
 
 •c 
 ol 
 
 1^1 
 
 
 |.2„. 
 
 
 c c 
 
 _0 CI 
 
 Ill 
 
 j= -= 
 
 c 
 

 'a o 
 
 ss 
 
 
 S o S 
 
 *^ ^ ^ 
 ■|12 
 
 2 a o 
 
 O 
 
 '•5 .5 
 
 Eh tc-3 
 
 E £ ° 
 O £ S 
 
 
 
 •Itnoj am\\ 
 
 CJin 
 
 O) 
 
 CO 
 
 IS 'siBOnoop put jasj ui 'spoudJ aAtj 
 
 men 
 
 ^ 
 
 S 
 
 -3dds3J 
 
 i[0U3 joj sapyt s^j jo A\oy uiioi^ 
 
 oiod 
 
 oi 
 
 cri 
 
 
 
 iii j 
 
 
 00 in 
 
 _ 
 
 oo 
 
 
 
 •13V3^ M0( 113 
 
 •a- 00 
 
 o 
 
 s 
 
 
 ^ « S 
 
 S3pi)oqj iiu JO UKiiW 
 
 O (>I 
 
 05 
 
 
 
 !i? 
 
 
 TJ^^ 
 
 ci 
 
 ■^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 lo r» 
 
 o 
 
 r^ 
 
 
 ■^^i 
 
 •jsBaq 
 
 oirH* 
 
 oi 
 
 in 
 
 
 ° *>■? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 > 
 
 3"^ " 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 
 »^ 
 
 ■5^1 
 
 •ISDJUOJO 
 
 vf-. 
 
 ■"i 
 
 r* 
 
 ^ 
 
 a s^ 
 
 
 irjiii 
 
 in 
 
 o 
 
 O 
 
 
 
 
 
 J 
 
 
 SS"" 
 
 S 
 
 o 
 
 00 
 
 o 
 
 Eh 
 
 
 in CM 
 
 00 
 (7J 
 
 
 
 
 
 in 
 
 *paj91siS3j sapp Avoijo 'o^j 
 
 00 CO 
 
 coin 
 
 
 CO 
 
 ax 
 
 
 t3_3 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 C3 ;j^ 
 
 •I3)T?A1 qSiq IB 
 
 gS 
 
 ^ 
 
 CO 
 
 
 S s 
 
 sspp all) ip! jo'uusM 
 
 ejrf 
 
 ei 
 
 CO 
 
 
 £ i 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 i:l 
 
 
 
 in 
 
 in 
 
 
 
 
 oqtq 
 
 •a; 
 
 ■^ 
 
 as 
 
 5 is 
 
 •jSBaq 
 
 
 
 
 w 
 
 ^ 5^ 
 
 
 rH rH 
 
 
 
 
 ^11 
 
 3 S.^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ino 
 CO in 
 
 s 
 
 s 
 
 a 
 
 t^l 
 
 •)S3)\!MD 
 
 in in 
 
 in 
 
 in 
 
 o 
 
 X 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 in o 
 
 o 
 
 in 
 
 
 
 incn 
 
 ^ 
 
 oo 
 
 ■spuiioap ptre P3J tn 'pajai 
 -siSojsapn uSiii am ipjjo mng 
 
 r-^ r-^ 
 
 o5 
 
 r^ 
 
 in t^ 
 
 (M 
 
 in 
 
 § 
 
 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 
 SB'S 
 
 S 
 
 !a 
 
 
 •paaaisiSai sspii qSitjjo -on 
 
 a o 
 
 CO 
 
 CO 
 
 
 1 
 
 ' ' 
 
 ' 
 
 to tj 
 
 
 1 
 
 ■ i 
 
 1 
 
 (u W 
 
 
 a 
 
 
 
 •n -^ 
 
 
 &4 
 
 
 
 o a 
 
 
 
 • i 
 
 
 t^ o 
 
 
 ■3 
 
 s- il 
 
 
 
 £ 
 
 '^ o 
 
 CO 
 
 
 5 
 
 hi 
 
 M 
 
 
 "3 
 
 s'a 
 
 1 
 
 5 2c 
 
 
 •3 
 
 3 2 
 
 2 
 
 goo 
 
 
 _o 
 
 = & 
 
 o. 
 
 g-s- 
 
 
 
 Oi 
 
 <tQ 
 
 m 
 
 o 
 
 2 
 
10 
 
 The soundings have boon multiplied so as to show 
 every feature as regards both the depth and the nature 
 of the bottom, throughout the harbor: out in a southeast 
 and east direction from its entrance, for a distance of 
 three to four miles, reaching to twelve and fifteen fath- 
 oms ; along the interior coast between Long Point and 
 Race Point, as far out as seventeen, twenty, and twen- 
 ty-five fathoms ; and thence along the Atlantic Coast, 
 until Cape Cod Light was brought to bear W. S. W. 
 per compass, in twelve and a half fathoms at low water, 
 the distance from shore being then one and one third 
 mile. 
 
 From Race Point until E. N. E. of the eminence on 
 the land, known by the name of High Cedar Island, 
 the soundings have been extended out to thirty, twenty- 
 five, and twenty fathoms, attaining here a distance of 
 two and two thirds miles from the shore. From this 
 point to the eastward the depth diminishes materially, 
 and it was considered unnecessary to carry the sound- 
 ings out to the last mentioned depth any farther upon 
 the coast. They were therefore limited to fourteen 
 and twelve and a half fathoms, until E. N. E. of Cape 
 Cod Light, where the survey terminated. 
 
 Vessels navigating this part of the coast may derive 
 much aid in regulating their distance from the shore, 
 by observing frequently the nature and color of the 
 sand at bottom, as well as the depth. This will appear 
 by reference to the remarks upon the chart. The 
 deep water runs so close to the extremity of Race 
 Point, that we have at low water, twenty fathoms, 
 when within two hundred yards of the low water mark. 
 
11 
 
 the liglit bearing due east. If you extend your distance 
 farther out from the Point, you will immediately get 
 into twenty-nine or thirty fathoms. Immediately after 
 turning this Point, however, the chain of shoals com- 
 mences, which extends in a direction nearly parallel 
 with the shore as far eastward as the limits of this sur- 
 vey. This shoal has upon it in some places only nine, 
 ten, and twelve feet, at ordinary low water, and makes 
 very heavy breakers with the wind on shore, or with 
 the heavings of the sea after a gale. It is the most 
 dangerous obstacle for vessels navigating this part of 
 the coast, if unacquainted with its position, and has 
 even recently been the scene of many a wreck, attend- 
 ed generally with the loss of lives and property. 
 
 The channel which extends between it and the shore, 
 carrying two, three, four and a half fathoms at different 
 points at low water, tends to increase the danger if 
 vessels get upon it with the wind on shore, for should 
 they beat over it, the damage is so great that they 
 most generally sink. It is, however, easily avoided in 
 a N. E. wind, if attention be paid to the chart and to 
 the lead. From Cape Cod Light to opposite High 
 Cedar Island, a distance of four miles, its course is N. 
 W. half N. To N. W. half W., and its distance from the 
 shore, reckoning out to five fathoms at ordinary low 
 water, is from nine hundred to thirteen hundred yards. 
 From thence until opposite the Peaked Hill, a distance 
 of five and a quarter miles, its direction is N. W. by W. 
 half W. to W. by N., and its distance from shore, reck- 
 oning out to the same depth, is from thirteen hundred 
 to fifteen hundred yards. From thence to Race Point, 
 
12 
 
 a distance of two and a half miles, the shoal curves 
 
 with the shore, and diminishes gradually in width until 
 
 it terminates near the Point. Vessels unacquainted 
 
 with the coast should always keep well outside this 
 
 shoal, for although fishing vessels and other small craft 
 
 are in the habit of making use of the channel which 
 
 lies between it and the shore, in fair weather, yet it 
 
 carries through only sixteen feet at low water opposite 
 
 Cape Cod Light — it is, moreover, subject somewhat 
 
 to change by the action of the sea in heavy gales of 
 
 wind. Herring Cove, formed by a curve in the shore, 
 
 between Race Point and the commencement of the 
 
 Shank Painter Bar, aflbrds good shelter in three to six 
 
 or eight fathoms, with the wind from N. E. to E. S. E. 
 
 Cape Cod Harbor may, however, be gained with an E. 
 
 or N. E. wind, with the flood tide, taking good care 
 
 not to stand in on the larboard nearer shore than ei^ht 
 
 or ten fathoms, as the bars will then be close aboard. 
 
 From Race Point to the outer line of Shank Painter 
 
 Bar, a distance of two miles, and from thence to the 
 
 most projecting point of Wood End Bar, a distance of 
 
 one and one t id mile, the direction of the channel is 
 
 very straight, on a course of S. E. by S. half S., which 
 
 will clear five fathoms at low water, and give as much 
 
 as twenty, twenty-five, and thirty fathoms, immediately 
 
 on the starboard. From Wood End Bar to Long 
 
 Point the channel curves round from S. E. by E. three 
 
 quarters E. to N. E. by E. 
 
 After clearing Wood End Bar you have deep water 
 close in to the shore, until you come to the small bar 
 that lies off' Long Point, the extremity of which would 
 
13 
 
 be touched in five fathoms at low water, when Long 
 Point Light bears due west distant five hundred and 
 twenty yards, and Cape Cod Light bearing E. half S., 
 and distant five miles and four hundred and seventy yards. 
 The distance from Wood End Bar to Long Point Bar 
 is two miles and three quarters, and the whole distance 
 between Race Point and the end of Long Point Bar, 
 measured clear of five fathoms at low water, is six 
 miles and one hundred and forty yards. 
 
 THE CURRENTS. 
 
 Within the harbor there is but little current, except 
 immediately off" and within Long Point, where it runs 
 strong at mid-tide, both at ebb and flood ; there is also 
 a considerable current setting out of East Harbor, at 
 the ebb, owing to the accumulation of water in that 
 harbor, as it is called, and in the creek. This is met 
 by the next flood before being entirely discharged. 
 Off* the flats upon the Truro shore the current never 
 exceeds a mile and a half per hour. Between Long 
 Point and Race Point, and from thence down the coast 
 towards Cape Cod Light, a very strong current sets at 
 ebb and flood, in the direction indicated by the line of 
 deepest soundings. Its velocity may be stated at mid- 
 tide to be from three to four miles per hour, according 
 to the quarter and declination of the moon. Although 
 its direction is generally parallel with the shore, yet it 
 is somewhat varied by that of the prevailing winds. 
 These remarks upon the velocity of the current are not 
 the results of actual experiments with the log, but are 
 derived from general observation, while engaged upon 
 
14 
 
 this part of" the coast ; they arc not therefore entered 
 upon the chart. It was our design to liavc ascertained 
 correctly their direction and strength tliroughout the 
 extent of coast embraced by this survey, but the time 
 and means allotted for its completion did not admit of 
 our accomplishing this desirable object. It is hoped 
 that a future occasion may admit of its yet being done. 
 The width and freedom from obstruction of every 
 kind at the entrance of Cape Cod Harbor, and the 
 extent of room upon the Bay side, make it accessible 
 to vessels of the largest class in almost all winds. This 
 advantage, its capacity, depth of water, excellent an- 
 chorage, and the complete shelter it affords from all 
 winds, combine to render it one of the most valuable 
 ship harbors upon our coast. It is the only harbor in 
 Cape Cod Bay which it would be altogether safe for 
 vessels of large draught to run for in an easterly gale, 
 accompanied by dark weather, such as a dense fog or 
 snow storm, so prevalent upon tliis coast. 
 
 I.ATITUBI: .A.N-D I.OITGITUDE OF THE I.IGHTHOUSES. 
 
 Assuming the position of Cape Cod Light-house, as 
 stated by Mr. Payne, to be 42" 2' 19'^ Nordi latitude, 
 and 70" 4^ 22.5", or 4h. 40m. 17ls. West longitude 
 from Greenwich, the following points were deduced 
 therefrom by triangulation, viz. : 
 
 Race I'oiiit light-house 
 Long Point light-house 
 Universalist ('hurch stppple 
 
 Nott 
 
 li latitude. 
 
 420 
 42 
 42 
 
 3' Sd.G 
 
 1 55 
 
 2 46.4 
 
 Lonsituil!! west 
 of Greuiuvicli. 
 
 70" 15' 17.3" 
 70 10 50 
 70 12 7.9 
 
 III time. 
 
 "4h~irm. 1.1 OaT 
 4 40 43 
 
 4 40 48.5 
 
16 
 
 The following are the heights of some of the most 
 conspicuous points upon the land, as viewed by vessels 
 approaching the Atlantic coast, and in entering the 
 Harbor. The figures placed upon the eminences and 
 other points upon the land, indicate their elevation in 
 feet and decimals of feet, as determined by the use of 
 the levelhng instrument, above the plane of mean low 
 water, derived from 569 registered low tides, by a per- 
 manent tide-staff within the Harbor. 
 
 Feet. 
 
 The base of Cape Cod light-house - - 1^2 
 The Clay pounds, (banks of clay, so called, 
 
 near that light-house) - - - 130 
 
 Hick's hill ------ 89 
 
 High head - - - - - 75 to 79 
 
 High Cedar island, (so called, from appear- 
 ing Hke an island, when approaching it 
 
 by sea) ------ 80 
 
 Mount Ararat, (Sept. 1835, — diminishing by 
 
 the effect of winds) - - - 1 00 > 
 
 Mount Gilboa 106 
 
 Oak head ------ 104 
 
 Trip's Fun hill - - -. - - 102 
 
 Negro head ------ 88 
 
 The Peaked hills - - - - 40 to 53 
 
 The northern peak - 73.5 
 
 The southern peak - 78 
 
 Creek Round hill 84.3 
 
 Telegraph hill ----- 98 
 
 High hill - 100 
 
 Gifford'shill ------ 75 
 
 The Snake hills 
 
16 
 
 Miller's hill 89 
 
 Snow's hill 77 
 
 If nine and a quarter feet be deducted from the 
 
 above heights, the remainders will be their elevation 
 above the plane of mean high water. 
 
 Ao/c. — Tlic times of mean high water at Race Point, and within Cape 
 Cod Harbor, were determined by tiie result of I\Iajor Graham's observa- 
 tions to be simultaneous, although it has hitherto been supj)osed by the 
 inhabitants of the Cape that the tide reached its greatest altitude much 
 earlier at Race Point and the outside of the Cape than within the llar- 
 
 bo^. — Ed. 
 
 *