Vl li DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY O. H. TITTMANN, Superintendent SURVEY OF OYSTER BARS WICOMICO COUNTY MARYLAND DESCRIPTION OF BOUNDARIES AND LANDMARKS AND REPORT OF WORK OF UNITED STATES COAST AND GEODETIC SUR- VEY IN COOPERATION WITH UNITED STATES BUREAU OF FISHERIES AND MARYLAND SHELL FISH COMMISSION By C. C. YATES CHIEF OF COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY PARTY ASSISTANT, COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1909 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR '■■■- COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY O. H. TITTMANN, Superintendent SURVEY OF OYSTER BARS WICOMICO COUNTY MARYLAND DESCRIPTION OF BOUNDARIES AND LANDMARKS AND REPORT OF WORK OF UNITED STATES COAST AND GEODETIC SUR- VEY IN COOPERATION WITH UNITED STATES BUREAU OF FISHERIES AND MARYLAND SHELL FISH COMMISSION By C. C. YATES CHIEF OF COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY PARTY ASSISTANT. COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1909 0. OF 0. IAN 221909 LETTER OF SUBMITTAL. Department of Commerce and Labor, Coast and Geodetic Survey, Washington, November 12, 1908. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a report of the officer detailed from the Coast and Geodetic Survey to cooperate with the Bureau of Fisheries and the Mary- land Shell Fish Commission in surveying the oyster bars of the State of Maryland, and certain technical results which are necessary for the interpretation and use of the plats of the survey made by the Government. This work has been done under the provisions of the act of Congress entitled "An act to authorize the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to cooperate, through the Bureau of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and the Bureau of Fisheries, with the shell fish com- missioners of the State of Maryland in making surveys of the natural oyster beds, bars, and rocks in the waters within the State of Maryland," approved May 26, 1906, and of the acts of Congress making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal years ending Jwnc 30, 1907, 190S, and 1909. Respectfully, O. H. Tittmann, Superintendent. To Hon. Oscar S. Straus, Secretary of Commerce and Labor. 3 CERTIFICATION. Annapolis, Md., November lo, 1908. The following publication is certified to contain correct technical descriptions of all boundaries and landmarks established in the waters of Wicomico County by the Maryland Shell Fish Commission in cooperation with the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. C. C. Yates, Chief of Coast and Geodetic Survey Party, Assistant, Coast and Geodetic Survey. Annapolis, Md., November 10, 1908. Examined and certified to be correct. Walter J. Mitchell, Caswell Grave, Benjamin K. Green, ~ Maryland Shell Fish Commission. Swepson Earle, Hydrographic Engineer. Note. — As required by law, certified copies of this publication and of the charts of the natural oyster bars of "Wicomico County and Adjacent Waters" were filed in the office of the clerk of the circuit court of Wicomico County and in the office of the Board of Shell Fish Commissioners, at Annapolis, on December i, 1908. 5 CONTENTS. Page. Progress map Follows 54 Letter of submittal 3 Certification 5 Introduction: Publications 9 Cooperation of the Coast and Geodetic Survey 10 Cooperation of the Bureau of Fisheries lo General remarks 10 Report of the work of the Coast and Geodetic Survey: Instructions 13 Organization and equipment 13 Chronological statement of work 14 Statistics 15 General statement 15 Charts and maps: Charts of natural oyster bars 17 Leasing charts 18 Projections ig Progress maps 19 Boundaries of the county waters: Waters within territorial limits of county 20 Waters contiguous to county. , 20 Landmarks (U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey triangulation stations): Explanation of descriptions of landmarks 21 Descriptions of triangulation stations — Chart No. 11 (Middle Nanticoke River) — Cow (see also Chart No. 12) 23 Okay ' 23 Ar 24 Gover _ 24 Street t 25 Earle 25 Juliet 25 Pole 26 Bivalve Church 26 Rag 26 Nanticoke Church (see also Chart No. 12) 26 Cliart No. 12 (Nanticoke and Wicomico rivers) — Cow (see also Chart No. 11) 23 Nanticoke Church (see also Chart No. lO 26 Crab 27 Sharkfin Shoal Light 27 ■ Head 27 Frog , 28 7 8 Co)itc)i/s. Landmarks (U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey triangulation stations) — Continued. Descriptions of triangulation stations — Continued. Chart No. 12 (Nanticoke and Wicomico rivers) — Continued. Page. Roar 28 Nanti 29 White 29 Ella ^ 29 Holland 30 Child 30 Creek 31 End 31 Walnut , 32 Jones 32 Ivee 32 Mount Vernon Church 33 Ball 33 Wind 33 Little 34 Dove 34 Great Shoals Light 35 Short 35 Room .- 35 Haines '. 36 Deal Island Church 36 Bar '.. 36 Boundaries of oyster bars: E.xplanation of descriptions of boundaries 38 Surveying methods for relocation of boundaries 39 Boundaries of natural oyster bars — Chart No. 11 (Middle Nanticoke River) — Upper Stake 42 Wetipquin 42 Sand Lump- .... ._ _, 43 Hickory Nut.- - .-43 Old Womans Patch 43 Cedar Shoal 44 Long Shoal 44 Cherry Tree 44 Wilson Shoals _. 45 Roaring Point East (see also Chart No. 12) 45 Chart No. 12 (Nanticoke and Wicomico rivers) — Roaring Point East (see also Chart No. 11) 45 Middleground 46 Big Hill 46 Great Shoals 47 Ingram Shoal 47 Holland 48 Appendixes: Appendix A. — Laws relating to the cooperation of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and Bureau of Fisheries with the Maryland Shell Fish Commission 49 Appendix B. — "The Haman Oyster Culture Law" (extract from First Report of Shell Fish Commission) 52 Appendix C. — Statistics of results of the combined operations of the Government and State. 53 SURVEY OF OYSTER BARS, WICOMICO COUNTY, MD. INTRODUCTION. PUBLICATIONS. The preparation of publications relating to the survey of the oyster bars of Maryland has been divided between the Government and the State in accordance with the laws" authorizing the work and the natural division of the surveying operations of the cooper- ating forces. The publications prepared and issued by the Government under the direction of the Superintendent of the Coast and Geodetic Survey consist of a series of charts and a technical report for each county surveyed. *> The charts show all legal boundaries of oyster bars within the adopted boundaries of the waters opened up for leasing with each county, and the location of all landmarks (Coast and Geodetic Survey triangulation stations) used as a foundation for the delineation of these various boundaries. The technical report gives technical and legal descriptions of all oyster bar and other bound- aries, and descriptions of all landmarks shown on the charts, and includes the report^' of the representative of the Coast and Geodetic Survey in charge of the work of that Service in cooperation with the Bureau of Fisheries and the Maryland Shell Fish Com- mission. These charts and technical reports are prepared and certified for file with the courts and the Commission, as required by the laws of the State, and contain all infor- mation necessary to make a permanent record of the work of the Commission and the Government for all future requirements of the courts, or for any resurveys that may become necessary. The part prepared and issued by the State under the direction of the Shell Fish Commission consists of an annual report"* of all the operations of the Commission performed under the provisions of the laws of Maryland," including results of biological " See Appendix A for laws relating to the cooperation of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and Bureau of Fisheries with the Maryland Shell Fish Commission. b These charts and technical reports can be obtained by application to the Superintendent of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, at Washington, D. C. The publications ready for issue are those for Anne Arundel, Somerset, and Wicomico counties. Those for Worcester, Calvert, St. Marys, and Charles counties are now being prepared. ''See page 13 and the progress map attached to this publication. ■i These reports can be obtained by application to the Shell Fish Commission, Annapolis, Md. They are issued annually in October, and the first report is now available for distribution. «See Appendix B for an extract from the "First Report of the Maryland Shell Fish Commission," giving a concise summary of the "Haman Oyster Ciilture Law." 61807 — 09 2 g' lo Survi'v of Oyster Bars, U'icoinico County, Md. and economic oyster investigations, methods and results of the hydrographic survey of the boundaries of oyster bars and crab bottoms, the administrative report and financial statement of the Commission, information relating to oyster culture, methods of sur- veying and leasing of oyster lots, and much other important matter of legal and scientific value. These two sets of publications are planned and arranged to supplement each other without unnecessary duplication, and when combined they form a complete report of operations, methods, and results of the work of both the Government and State. COOPERATION OF THE COA.ST AND GEODETIC SURVEY. 'I'he work of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, as the name of the Service indicates, includes a survey of the coasts of the United States made on a geodetic basis. This has involved the gradual construction of a great framework of interstate triangulation for use as a foundation for detail hj'drographic and topographic surveys, from which there has been compiled and published a complete set of charts of the coasts of the United States, including all waters of Maryland where oysters grow. This existing triangulation, hydrography, and topography is essential for a correct and practical survey of natural oyster bars; and it being one of the fundamental functions of the Coast and Geodetic Survey to furnish such data, the cooperation of the Coast and Geodetic Survey with the Bureau of Fisheries and the Maryland Shell Fish Conmiission is a practical and natural development of Government work leading to the conservation and increase of the supply of food. • COOPERATION OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. The Bureau of Fisheries has cooperated with the Coast and Geodetic Survey and the Maryland Shell Fish Commission principally as an adviser in matters relating to the biological and economic survey of oyster bars and the methods to be employed for that purpose. " A steam launch, rowing boat, and certain apparatus have also been furnished. The primary function of the Bureau of Fisheries is to increase the productiveness of marine and fresh waters by such measures as may be best suited to the purpose, and the services rendered in connection with the survey of the oyster bars of Maryland are strictly in line with the fundamental law under which it acts. In certain States other than Maryland similar work has been conducted by the Bureau acting independently, the same ends being attained at greater expense to the Govermnent. OENERAL REMARKS. A brief account of the jiarticular surveying operations which constitute an "oyster survey" as now being carried on in Maryland will assist in the interpretation of records contained in the technical part of this report, and will be of interest to many who may not understand the necessity for the great amount of work being done or its complicated • character. To those familiar with methods used in surv-eying and charting the characteristic features of large bodies of water there is an evident necessity for the various operations " Hon. George M. Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries, has detailed for this service Dr. H. F. Moore, -Assistant, Bureau of Fisheries. Survey of Oyster Bars, li'icouiico Coitn/y, Md. ii performed, especially when it is known that the boundaries of the public oyster bars and of the private lots leased for purposes of oyster culture must be surveyed and charted with the greatest attainable accuracy. To others it will be sufficient to state that the actual experience gained from oyster surveys in other States has proven that in order to avoid endless dissatisfaction and litigation, it is necessary to accurately locate and permanently establish oyster boundaries as is now being done in Maryland. Such refinement of survey work as that demanded by the conditions of an oyster survey when carried on at considerable distances offshore can only be obtained by the use of a system of triangulation as a frame work or foundation. Therefore, a triangulation survey including the permanent marking of the positions of landmarks with monuments and a record of the descriptions of their locations for future recovery is a necessary operation of a complete oyster survey. The technical records which established the relation between the offshore oyster boundaries and triangulation landmarks are sufficient for the requirements of engineers in making resurveys, but do not supply the needs of others who are interested in the same boundaries by reason of their occupation, as oystermen concerned as to the public oyster bars, or oyster culturists concerned as to the barren bottoms. For these it is necessary to have the charts of the survey show the relation of the shore line and other topographic features to the boundaries of the public oyster bars and private oyster farms. Therefore, a topographic survey is a necessary operation of a complete oyster survey. In the settlement of the important question of what is, or what is not, a natural oyster bar, and in the consideration of bottoms to be selected for purposes of oyster culture, information as to the depth of water and the character of the bottom is required. Therefore, a hydrographic survey is a necessary operation of a complete oyster survey. Consequently, the necessary components of a satisfactory foundation for a complete oyster survey are the three classes of survey operations technically named triangula- tion, topography, and hydrography, or, stated in another way, the foundation of a practical oyster sun^ey includes the surveying operations usually followed by the Coast and Geodetic Survey leading up to the preparation and publication of nautical charts. Having obtained this cartographic survey for a foundation, partly by new work and partly from records of previous work of the Government, the combined operations ° making up an "oyster survey" are completed by superimposing on this foundation special surveys and investigations pertaining particularly to oysters or other shell fish. The special surveys pertaining to oysters furnish information as to the location and outline of oyster-shell bottoms, and are carried on by the sounding boat party in addition to the usual hydrographic work.* This operation consists of the observation and record of the character of vibration of a wire and chain apparatus which is dragged over the bottom, the vibrations or lack of vibrations indicating the presence and quantity of shells or absence of shells. " See Appendix C of this publication for "Statistics of results of combined operations of the Gov- ernment and State." ^ See pages T04 to 123 of " First Annual Report of Maryland Shell Fish Commission." 12 Survey of- Oyster Bars, Wicomico County, Md. The special oyster investigations" consist of the actual determination of the kind and quantity of oysters on the bottom, and such economic and biological studies of the supply of oyster food, density of water, character of the bottom, and other important matters as afifect the growth of oysters. In this work the oyster investigation stations are located and buoyed by the hydrographic party while engaged in the survey of the oyster-shell limits. They are selected with the view of obtaining characteristic data which can be used for the interpretation of the recorded vibrations of the chain apparatus at all other points covered by the survey. The actual surveying operations and oyster investigations having been completed for any one county, there still remains technical work of nearly equal magnitude to that described.'' This work consists of the preparation of charts and technical descrip- tions of boundaries and landmarks for record and publication by the Government, the manufacture and planting of "State buoys" at all corners of the oyster-bar boundaries, the preparation of that part of the annual report of the Commission cover- ing the oyster investigations, the making of the leasing charts and finished projections, and finally the survey and record of the boundaries of oyster lots leased from the State by private individuals for the purposes of oyster culture. From the foregoing account it can be seen that a complete oyster survey properly conducted so as to answer all practical requirements of the present and permanency of results for the future is a very complicated affair, involving many lines, of surveying and other scientific work, and requiring the professional services of experts in the various operations of cartographic surveying and shell-fish investigations. « See pages 30 to 67 and 129 to 199 of " First Annual Report of Maryland Shell Fish Commission." b No mention is made here of the large amount of administrative work of the Commission, which is greatly complicated and increased by the economic and political effect of the oyster-survey opera- tions on many thousands of people whose interests are more or less involved. REPORT OF THE WORK OF THE COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY. INSTRUCTIONS. The two following letters, together with the laws" of the United States relating to the subject, constitute the "instructions" received by the chief of the Coast and Geodetic Survey party engaged on work in connection with the Maryland Shell Fish Commission. They are short and definite, but furnish ample authority and leeway for all legitimate development of the cooperation of the Government and the State in the survey of oyster bars. The "free hand" permitted by these orders, together with the aid and many valuable suggestions received from the officers of the Survey at Wash- ington, has proved very beneficial to the work, and is greatly appreciated. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, June z, igo6. Sir: In reply to your letter of May 28, requesting me to designate officers of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and of the Bureau of Fisheries to cooperate with the State of Maryland in making survey of and locating the natural oyster beds, I have the honor to inform you that Mr. C. C. Yates will be designated to cooperate on the part of the Coast and Geodetic Survey as soon as Congress makes the provisions of the act effective by providing an appropriation for the purpose. Respectfully, Lawrence O. Murray, Assistant Secretary. His excellency Hon. Edwin Warfield, Governor of Marylaiid, Annapolis, Md. Department of Commerce and Labor, Coast and Geodetic Survey, Washington, July 3, igo6. Sir: Upon the receipt of these instructions you will surrender the command, accounts, etc., of the steamer Endeavor to the Hydrographic Inspector. * * * As soon as this transfer is completed you will enter upon the duties of Coast Survey representative on the Shell Fish Commission of Maryland. You will consult the commissioners, prepare a programme of work, and submit estimates in the usual form. You are authorized to come to Washington for consultation from time to time as may be necessary. Very respectfully, O. H. TiTTMann, Superintendent. Capt. C. C. Yates, U . S. C. and G. S. Steamer Endeavor, Baltimore, Md. ORGANIZATION AND EQUIPMENT. The personnel and occupation of the party of the Coast and Geodetic Survey have remained practically unchanged since the beginning of the "oyster survey." Besides the chief of party, it consists of the necessary triangulators, computers, draftsmen, and temporary employees required to carry on both the surveying operations in the o For these laws see Appendix A. 14 Survey of Oyster Bars, Wicomico County, Md. field and the preparation for publication of charts and technical records in the Office at Washington. The equipment for the work of the party has been ample and satisfactory. The large living and office quarters furnished the Government on the Maryland Shell Fish Commission house boat Oyster have been very convenient for the work, besides facili- tating efficient cooperation with the surveying and oyster investigation parties of the State. In addition to the accommodations on the Oyster, the Coast and Geodetic Survey party has had the constant use of the large steam launch Inspector and several other boats furnished by its own Service, and the occasional use of the Bureau of Fisheries launch Canvasback'^ and the steamer Governor McLane'' of the State fishery force. The greater part of the equipment of instruments for the operations of both the Government and State has been furnished by the Coast and Geodetic Survey and consists of all necessary theodolites, levels, sextants, drafting instruments, hydrometers, etc., required for all field and office work. CHRONOLOGICAL STATEMENT OK WORK. " On June 20, 1907, the work in connection with the publication of the "Charts of Natural Oyster Bars" and report* of "Sur\^ey of Oyster Bars" for Anne Arundel County was finally completed and the survey records and reports for that county were ready for filing in the archives of the Survey at Washington. In addition to this work, a Coast and Geodetic Survey signal-building party was engaged in the erection of triangulation signals in Somerset County from May 2 to June 25 in cooperation with a signal-building party of the Shell Fish Commission. From June 25 until the practical completion of the field work in Somerset and Wicomico counties on November 6, the usual routine of field and office work was followed without material interruption except that resulting from the moving of the house boat Oyster from Crisfield to Manokin River on July 13, then to Piney Island on August 27, and to Wicomico River on August 30, where she remained until her removal to Nanticoke River on September 30, 1907. From this latter date the work in Wicomico County predominated until the field surveys of that county were completed, when the entire party left by rail for Worcester County, it being impracticable to move the house boat to the waters of that locality. At the close of the survey work in Worcester County in the last part of De- cember, office work relating to Somerset and Wicomico counties was begun at Balti- more,' and was continued without material interruption until March 23, 1908, when a subparty went to Worcester and Somerset counties to finish some details of field work in those sections required for the preparation of the technical reports and oyster charts. " By courtesy of Dr. H. F. Moore, U. S. Bureau of Fisheries. (< By courtesy of Capt. James A. Turner, commanding. ■ >: The field and office work relating to Somerset County is so intermixed with that of Wicomico County that this statement includes the work of both counties. ^ See that report for an account of the work from July 3, igo6, to June 20, 1907. e Office rooms were furnished for the work of the Government party in the "old court-house" and afterwards in the new custom-house by courtesy of Hon. William F. Stone, collector of customs. Suri'ev of Oyster Bars, JVicomico County, Md. 15 The very large amount of work of computation and drafting necessary to make the results of the survey of the previous season available for publication was nearly completed on May 2, 1908, when it was transferred to the Government quarters on the house boat Oyster, which left Baltimore on the same day with the party and outfit for her anchorage off Solomons Island, in the Patuxent River. On July I, 1908, certified copies of the technical report and oyster charts of Som- erset County were filed in the office of the clerk of the circuit court of Somerset County and in the office of the Board of the Shell Fish Commissioners, at Annapolis, thus opening that county for oyster culture on that date. STATISTICS." Landmarks and triangulation signals erected 30 Monuments planted to mark triangulation stations 30 Triangulation stations occupied for observations of horizontal angles 32 Old triangulation stations recovered 5- New triangulation stations established 32 Total old and new triangulation stations marked and described 37 Linear miles of shore line covered by triangulation (approximate) 46 Square miles covered by triangulation (approximate) 44 Hydrographic projections prepared and completed as records of oyster boundaries 2 Triangles computed 80 Geographic positions computed 37 Corners of oyster boundaries established by computation 56 Back azimuths and distances computed from corners of boundaries to triangulation stations 168 Descriptions of triangulation stations prepared for publication 37 Descri])tions of oyster boundaries prepared for publication 15 Total typewritten pages of manuscript prepared for publication of report 115 "Charts of Natural Oyster Bars" prepared for publication 2 Progress map prepared for publication i GENERAL ST.\TEMENT. The results obtained from the work of the Coast and Geodetic Sur^'ey in Wicomico County in cooperation with the Bureau of Fisheries and the Maryland Shell Fish Com- mission need no other summary than is indicated by the published "Charts of Natural Oyster Bars" and the scheme of hydrographic projections and triangulation stations shown on the progress map at the end of this report. The triangulation has been carried on in accordance with the standard methods of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, making this work and that of the "Descriptions of Triangulation Stations" of permanent value, not only to the State of Maryland in the survey of her oyster bars, but also to the Government for any future work it may do in the regions covered by the oyster survey operations. The hydrographic projections and published charts were prepared with all the accuracy permitted by their large scale, especially as to the boundaries of the various "These statistics only include field and office work directly performed by the party of the Coast and Geodetic Survey in connection with the oyster survey of Wicomico County, and do not include the many thousands of soundings and examinations of the character of the bottom made by the engineers of the Commission, which are of considerable value to the Coast and Geodetic Survey as hydrographic records for future use in connection with the preparation of new editions of charts of the waters of Maryland, i6 ■ Survey of Oyster Bars, Wiconiico County, Md. shell-fish bottoms in relation to landmarks, but this accuracy of location on the charts is further added to by published technical descriptions which should minimize the probability of any future dispute as to either landmarks or boundaries. Stated another way and quoting from the report of the "Survey of Oyster Bars of Anne Arundel County:" The geographic positions of the permanent landmarks and signals have been determined with the usual precision of a trigonometric survey, and their locations at all points necessary to provide ample foundation for the surveying and charting operations permitted great accuracy of definition and loca- tion for the natural oyster bar and other boundaries established. At the same time, the very important element of permanency of the positions of boundaries has been secured, as the relocation of geodetic positions can always be accomplished by a competent surveyor, even though the original landmarks and monuments have been washed away, as has been the fate of hundreds of such points established by the Coast and Geodetic Survey on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay during the last sixty-five years. In fact, when the survey of the oyster bars of Maryland is completed, it is believed that it will stand the test of time and practical use as a working foundation for whatever form the oyster legislation of the future may assume, and that the doing of the work systematically and accurately, once for all, not only means a better foundation of a great oyster industry by irradicably locating the natural oyster bars for the use of the public, but also a better and more permanent superstructure of oyster culture for the individual by the reason of the integrity of the foundation on which it stands. Before ending this report the representative of the Coast and Geodetic Survey wishes to renew his statement of appreciation of the courteous assistance received from various Government and State officials and others interested in the oyster industry of Maryland, especially to the following: To his colleague from the Department of Commerce and Labor, Dr. H. F. Moore of the Bureau of Fisheries, whose well-known scientific knowledge of all matters relating to oysters has been of great value to the work. To Mr. Walter J. Mitchell, chairman of the Maryland Shell Fish Commission, who, by his administrative ability in carrying out the complicated requirements of the oyster laws and by his unfailing tact, has made the cooperation of the various services engaged on the work both agreeable and effective. To Dr. Caswell Grave, secretary of the Commission, who, as editor of the Com- mission's annual report and commissioner in charge of the biological and economic oyster investigations, has been brought into constant contact with the Government work and aided its operations in every way. To Benjamin K. Green, treasurer of the Commission, who has looked after the equipment and commissary of the house boat in such a way as to add greatly to the comfort and convenience of the party of the Coast and Geodetic Sur\^ey. To Swepson Earle, hydrographic engineer to the Commission, whose knowledge of the work from former ser\'ice in the Coast and Geodetic Survey has greatly facilitated his practical use of the technical data furnished by the Government. To Thomas H. Robinson, counsel to the Commission, for courteously furnishing valuable information relating to county boundaries. And to the many others connected with the Commission or who as residents in the locality where the work was being carried on have greatly assisted by furnishing important information or willing services. CHARTS AND MAPS. CHARTS OF NATURAL OYSTER BARS. The charts" of the natural oyster bars of "Wicomico County and Adjacent Waters," published by the Coast and Geodetic Survey from results of sur\'eys of the Government in cooperation with the Maryland Shell Fish Commission, consist of two sheets covering the eastern shore of Nanticoke River and the northern shore of Wicomico River, including all oyster-producing bottoms of Wicomico County. They are published on a scale of i part in 20,000 (approximately 3,5 inches to a statute mile) and are constructed on polyconic projections and based on the United States standard datum of the Coast and Geodetic Survey. These charts show all oyster bars and other boundaries established by the Commis- sion, and are certified for the purpose of filing in the office of the clerk of the circuit court of Wicomico County and in the office of the Commission at Annapolis, as required by the oyster laws of Maryland. In addition to the oyster-bar and other boundaries, the charts show the location and name of all landmarks (U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey triangulation stations) used in making the survey, together with the hydrography and topography'' necessary to make the technical definitions and delineations of boundaries readily understandable both by the people engaged in the oyster industry and the general public who may become interested through leasing of barren bottoms for oyster culture. The names of the oyster bars are those used locally, as nearly as could be ascertained by the hydrographic engineer of the Commission. When there was no local name in common use, a name was selected from one of the prominent features of the vicinity. By the use of recognized names or those that would naturally suggest certain sections of water, it is believed that much confusion will be avoided in the location on the charts of the oyster bars, especially bj' those not familiar with the use of maps. The corners of the oyster bars are numbered from i to the total number of corners in each area under consideration. Where boundaries adjoin, making one point a corner of two or more oyster bars, these points have two or more numbers, each number corresponding to the bar in which the figure is located. The numbers of the corners correspond with the technical and legal descriptions of this publication under the headings of "Boundaries of natural oyster bars." The landmarks and oyster bars have been grouped in the "Contents" of this publication in accordance with the charts upon which they are shown. To find a " These charts can be obtained by appHcation to the Superintendent of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, at Washington, D. C. b Much of the details of the inshore topography was obtained from the excellent map of Wicomico County prepared and published by the Maryland Geological Survey under the direction of Dr. William Bullock Clark from surveys of the Maryland Geological Survey in cooperation with the U. S. Geological Survey. 61807 — 09 3 17 1 8 Siinu'v of Ovs/rr Bars^ Wicomiro Coiini\\ Md. particular oyster bar or landmark which is only known by name, consult the "Con- tents" and the desired chart and general location will be indicated. To find the name of a bar or landmark which is only known by location, consult the progress map at the end of this pubHcation for the number of the chart on which it is to be found, and then examine the known locality on the chart for the name of the bar or landmark in question. The contours on the charts showing the depth of water at mean low tide have been taken from the hydrographic sheets of former work of the Coast and Geodetic Survey. Four curves were selected as being the most convenient for taking off from the original hydrographic sheets and the ones of greatest value to those interested in shell-fish industries. The i -fathom contour (6 feet) corresponds in a general way to the outer limits of the crab bottoms, while the waters outside of this curve and inside the 5-fathom contour (30 feet) practically include all the oyster bars surveyed. The 3-fathom contour (18 feet) furnishes the curve of about the average depth of water on the oyster bars and the lo-fathom contour (60 feet) serves in a general way to indicate the outer limits of probable oyster culture. The boundaries of the waters within the "territorial limits of the county" opened up for the leasing with Wicomico County are plainly indicated on the charts. A description of this boundary is given in this publication under the heading "Boundaries of the county waters." The areas in acres of the oyster bars were determined under the direction of the hydrographic engineer of the Commission by two independent planimeter measure- ments of the areas as dehneated on the smooth projections of the Coast and Geodetic Survey. These areas are given in small figures in parentheses on the face of the chart and are usually located within the boundaries of the different areas. The symbols used on the charts for the different kinds of boundaries, triangulation stations, contours of depth of water, etc., require no other explanation than that given in the legend and other notes on the face of the charts. LEASING CHARTS. The leasing charts of Wicomico County, like those for Anne Arundel and Somerset counties, have been prepared under the direction of the hydrographic engineer of the Commission. These charts are constructed on polyconic projections and based on the United States standard datum of the Coast and Geodetic Survey. They are made on the scales of i part in 5,000 or i part in 10,000, as the needs of oyster culture may require. Anne Arundel County required 13 leasing charts, vSomerset County 12, and Wicomico County 2 to cover their oyster bottoms. These charts show all the oyster bars, crab bottoms, and clam beds and other boundaries established by the Commission, and also all boundaries of oyster lots leased for the purpose of oyster culture, thus making them comprehensive and valuable records of the results of the operations of the oyster-culture laws. The lots leased under the provision of the "old 5-acre law" are frequently of irregular shape, but the lots leased under the provision of the new oyster laws must be of rectangular shape by the terms of that act. For this latter purpose the leasing charts have been divided by parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude into small Survev of Oys/r/- Bars, ll'/coinico County, Md, 19 rectangles of 1 acre or 5 acres, as may be best suited to area under consideration, and prospective leaseholders by the rules of the Commission are compelled to select whole rectangles as far as practicable. For reasons of the present changeable nature of the number of lots leased and the large number of charts required, the leasing charts are not likely to be published for some years, but they can be seen at any time on file at the offices of the Commission, in Annapolis. PROJECTIONS. The polyconic projections" covering Wicomico County waters are 2 in number and on the scale of i part in 10,000. They were constructed by draftsmen of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, who also plotted the sextant positions which determine the loca- tion of the legal boundaries of the oyster bars as dehneated by the Shell Fish Commission. A copy of each of these projections, with all the plotted positions of triangulation stations, shore line, sextant positions, and boundaries of oyster bars, was made under the direction of the hydrographic engineer of the Commission by pricking through with a sharp needle the intersections of the projection lines and all other points as plotted on the original sheets. These projections (in duplicate) are the original records of all oyster bar and other boundaries established by the Commission, one set being filed in the archives of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, at Washington, and the other set in the office of the Shell Fish Commission at Annapolis. PROGRESS MAPS. The progress map to be found at the end of this publication is on a scale of i part in 100,000, and shows in outline the work accomplished by the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey in Wicomico County and contiguous waters. It gives the scheme of all the charts and smooth projections constructed in connection with the survey, the location and names of all triangulation stations used as a basis for the surveying work, and the "boundaries of county waters" established by the Commission for the purpose of carrying out the laws of Maryland relating to oyster culture. Besides indicating the amount of work done by the Coast and Geodetic Survey in connection with the work of the Shell Fish Commission, this progress map will be of special value for index purposes to engineers and others searching for the particular chart or projection covering the locality of the oyster bars or landmarks that may be under consideration. The progress map' accompanying the "First Annual Report of the Maryland Shell Fish Commission" was prepared under the direction of the hydrographic engineer of the Commission. It is on the scale of i part in 400,000 and shows the outline of the tide-water counties of Maryland, with shaded areas to indicate the waters already covered by the operations of the oyster survey of Maryland. o For the scheme of these projections see the progress map at the end of this publication. * This map and report can be obtained by application to Maryland Shell Fish Commission, at Annapolis, Md. BOUNDARIES OF THE COUNTY WATERS." WATERS WITHIN TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF COUNTY. The laws of Maryland relating to oyster culture provide that "no person shall be permitted, by lease, assignment, or in any other manner, to acquire a greater amount of land than ten acres situated within the territorial limits of any of the counties, or one hundred acres in any other place." The boundary line' between the waters "within the territorial limits" of Wicomico County and the waters in "any other place," as established by the Shell Fish Com- mission for the purpose of carrying out the oyster laws, and delineated on the charts and the smooth projections of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, is identical with the boundary line between Wicomico County and the adjacent counties of Dorchester and Somerset; therefore technically all waters opened up for leasing with Wicomico County are within the "territorial limits" of that county. WATERS CONTIGUOUS TO COITNTY. The oyster laws of Maryland provide that a true and accurate delineation of all natural oyster bars shall be made on copies of charts of the U. vS. Coast and Geodetic Survey, "which said copies shall be filed in the office of the said Commissioners in the city of Annapolis," and "in the office of the clerks of the circuit courts for the respective counties wherein the grounds so designated may lie." For the purpose of carrying out the latter part of this section of the law and for the purpose of establishing the limits of the oyster-culture area to be opened up for leasing with each county surveyed, it is necessary for the Shell Fish Commission to establish a boundary line between the waters contiguous to but 'not within the terri- torial limits of each county, and the waters contiguous to but not within the territorial limits of adjacent counties. But technically, as explained under the preceding heading of "Waters within territorial limits of county," there are no "waters contiguous to the county" in Wicomico County; and therefore there are no waters opened up for Ifeasing with that county in which a person can lease "a greater amount than ten acres." " For a complete historical and legal description of ihe boundaries of the counties of Maryland, the valuable publication entitled "The Counties of Maryland — Their Origin, Boundaries, and Election Districts," prepared by Dr. Edward B. Mathews and ])ublished by the Maryland Geological Survey under the direction of Dr. William Bullock Clark, Superintendent, should be consulted, as the boundaries described in this publication have been established and technically defined for the purpose of carrying out the oyster laws of the State, and may or may not be correct for other purposes. ''See "Charts of Natural Oyster Bars," published by the Coast and Geodetic Survey, and the progress map at the end of this publication. I.ANDMARKvS (U. S. COAST AND GEODETIC vSURVEY TRIANGULATION STATIONS). EXI'LAN'ATlciN uF DESCRIPTKINS OF LANDMARKS. The oyster laws of Maryland aulhorizing the surveys to be made by the Shell Fish Coininission provide for "an accurate report of said survey, setting forth such a descrip- tion of landmarks as may be necessary to enable the said board, or their successors, to find and ascertain the boundary lines of said natural oyster beds, bars, and rocks, as shown by delineation on the maps and charts." The law of the United States author- izing the cooperation of the Department of Commerce and Labor in the survey of natural oyster bars of Maryland provides for the erection of "such structures as may be necessary to mark the points of triangulatioii, so that the same may be used for such future work of the Coast and Geodetic Survey as the said Bureau may be hereafter required to perform in prosecuting the Government coast sur\ev of the navigable waters of the United States located within the State of Maryland." Under the provisions of the sections of the laws stated above, the markings and descriptions of landmarks must be sufficient for the present and future needs of both the Government and the State. With this end in view, considerable work has been expended in erecting permanent monuments at the triangulation stations and in the proper description of their location. An effort has been made to arrange the descriptions of locations of landmarks in a uniform and logical manner. The descriptions start with the assumption that the individual seeking to find a landmark has only an indefinite idea of its location. They then gradually proceed from general descriptions of the surroundings of a landmark to the specific details of the character of the center and reference markings. An exam- ination of the descriptions themselves will best indicate the method followed. The heading of each description is the name by which the landmark or triangulation station is known and designated in all work and records of the Government and State. Under the heading of "Locality" the first paragraph gives a description of the general locality of the landmark and the serial number of the published "Chart of Oyster Bars" of Maryland which best shows its location. The published charts are on the large scale of i part in 20,000, and show the location of the triangulation stations so clearly that in many cases the written descriptions will not be required to find them. Under the same heading of "Locality" the second paragraph furnishes the descrip- tion of the immediate locality of the landmark and refers to the bearing and distance of standard cement monument marking the reference station, as it is the first object that is likely to catch the eye when the immediate vicinity of the desired station is reached. Under the heading of "Marks" a descri])tion is given of the character of the mark- ings of the "observed station" and the reference station. It will be noted that, although 22 Survey of Oyster Bars, J Vi com ho County, Md. the "observed station" is the one "occupied" and "observed on" for horizontal angles, and also the one whose geographic position is computed, frequently' it is not marked as well as the reference station, and in many instances has only a pine stub to indicate its position. This is the case for the reason that the necessity of intervisibility of land- marks usually made it compulsory to locate these stations on edges of banks and ends of points of land, which in Chesapeake Bay and tributaries generally means that they will be washed away in a short period of years. The past experience of the Coast and Geodetic Survey in this region has shown the necessity of reference marks, if the frequent reestablishment of a new framework of triangulation is to be avoided. All the marks designated in the descriptions as "the center point of triangle on standard cement monument" are exactly alike. These monuments are made of cement, sand, and gravel, and are 2 feet long and 8 inches square at top and bottom. Their tops are all marked with the same brass mold and show a center hole surrounded b}' a triangle, with the letters "M. S. F. C." arranged around the vertex and the letters "U. S. C. S." underneath the base of the triangle. The center hole is always in the center of the top of the monument by construction, and if this is found to have been broken off without disturbing the bottom, the center of its square section can be used as the location of the station. All the "standard cement monuments," whether used for marking the "observed station" or "reference station," have been planted upright in exactly the same manner, with their tops projecting 3 or 4 inches above the surface of the ground. Therefore, as the above facts in reference to the "standard cement monuments" are a constant element in all cases, the repetition of these facts in the description of stations is made needless by this one statement. It is the expectation that the reference stations," the character of which is explained above, will be used in many cases in the near future in the place of the "observed sta- tions." This has been made possible by the careful measurements of direction and distance of these stations from the "observed station," which are recorded under the heading of "References." Under the heading of "References" are given the directions and distances of all objects that might be useful in locating the stations when the surface marks can not be found. It is also contemplated that for general purposes of topography, hydrography, or location of boundaries of oyster bars these references will be sufficient in many cases to relocate the position of an "observed station" or "reference station" when both of them have been destroyed. The first reference object given in the descriptions is always a triangulation station visible from the station being described. Its direction is taken as being 0° 00' 00", and the directions of all other objects are measured from it as an initial point, the angles being taken in a clockwise direction (left to right). The true bearing'' of the initial object is always given in parenthesis alongside the name. This furnishes means for the calculation of the bearings of any of the other "To obtain the geographic positions of any of the "observed stations" or of the "reference sta- tions," application should be made to the Superintendent of the Coast and Geodetic Survey at Wash- ington, D. C. 6 The mean magnetic variation for Wicomico County is 5° 45' west of north 1908) and is increasing at the rate of 3' yearly. Siiri'cv of Oys/cr Bars, Wiro/z/no Co/oi/v, Md. 23 reference objects for the purposes of locating a station by compass bearings or for the relocation of corner buoys of oyster-bar boundaries by the method of horizontal angles described in this publication under the heading of "Boundaries of oyster bars." The distances in the last column under "References" are given in three different units, which vary according to their accuracy. The "miles" are statute miles and may be considered only as rough estimates. The "yards" are more accurate, but must be looked on as results generally obtained by pacing or careful estimating. The "meters," however, are accurate to the degree indicated by their decimals and in every case have been measured with a steel tape. In the same manner the accuracy of the directions are indicated by the refinement of direction with which they are recorded. DESCRIPTIONS OF TRI.\NGUL.\TION ST.\TIONS. COW. Locality. — Western shore Xanticoke River on Mink Point about '4 mile east of entrance to Cow Creek. See Charts Nos. 11 and u.) Observed station is on a very soft marsh point at the outer edge of water Ijushes about 5 yards back from the shore to the east, 15 yards from extreme end of point to the southeast, and 15 yards from the shore to the southwest. No permanent reference objects near station. Cement monument marking reference station is 8.68 meters northwest of observed station. Marks. — Observed station is a nail in a pine stub tlush with groimd. Reference station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — o 1 11 "Frog" (S 6° 13' W) o 00 00 2 miles. A shanty 37 16 _. j^ mile. Reference station 129 ig 20 8. 68 meters White shanty 189 53 -..-_. i mile. A shanty : 209 52 ._ '2 mile. Tangent of land 217 43 __ '2 mile. Large red roof greenhouse 236 48 ._ .__ 2 ' 2 miles. Windmill 243 52 _. 2^4 miles. Gambrel of house 244 13 ._ 2 j4 miles. Chimney of large greenhouse 254 24 __ 1.% mA^%. Canning house stack 257 28 _^ i^ miles. Canning house stack ,- 275 26 _. I'imiles. Near corner of .\'anticoke wharf .- . 284 49 __ i '2 miles. Large red roof white house 297 32 .„ 2J2 miles. Large red roof white house . 299 24 .. 2I2 miles. Right tangent of Nanticoke woods- - - 310 15 .- 3 miles. Left tangent of Sandy Point 341 48 .. lU' miles. OKAY. Locality. — Western shore of Xanticoke River aliout ' s mile south of Swan Creek Cove on Marsh Point. (See Chart No. II.) Observed station is on marsh land about 2 feet above and 10 yards back from high-water mark. .\ shanty known as Insleys watch house stands about 33 yards north of observed station. No other permanent reference objects near station. Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. Rejerences. — ° ' " Bivalve Church (N 84° 32' E) o 00 00 2j/i' miles. Chimney of red roof house 20 38 ... 2J/2 miles. Windmill tower 46 41 _. 2X rniles. Tangent of land 92 23 .. \% m\\ts. 24 Survey of Oyster Bars, Wicomico County, Md. References — Continued. ° ' Tangent of land 105 45 Left side of watch house 249 17 Right side of watch house 258 17 Space between chimneys of large white house 340 43 Tangent of Bivalve wharf 355 31 Stack of canning house 359 12 AR. 150 yards. 35 yards. 35 yards. 3-'. miles, miles, miles. Locality. — Western shore of Nanticoke River about i ' 2 miles northwest by west of Bivalve wharf. (See Chart No. 11.) Obsers'ed station is on marsh land between two small creeks about 40 yards back from high-water mark. It is about 43 yards northwest of the mouth of one creek, and 35 yards west-southwest of mouth of the other creek. No permanent objects near station. Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° ' " " Nanticoke Church " (S i3°34'E) o Right edge Sandy Point woods 23 Smoke pipe of cabin near " Okav " 42 Chimney on house 46 Left tangent of first woods 81 Left tangent of long thick woods 98 Left edge short thick woods 134 u Chimney of red roof cabin 247 47 Houses with several gables 262 18 Right edge Wetipquin woods 274 37 Chimney of house behind trees 302 43 Windmill 319 03 Stack of canning house ^ 320 15 Chimney of house on Ragged Point 1 350 Windmill 7,.;, 2 .S3 33 3^ miles. 4 miles. I '2 miles. ■2 mile. 2^ miles. I mile. 1 mile. '-2 mile. 3 miles. 2!/4 miles. 2 miles. 2 miles. 2 miles. 2_!4 miles. 57 3X miles. GOVER. Locality. — Northwestern shore of Nanticoke River i^ miles west-northwest of entrance to Wetip- quin Creek and 's mile north of cove named Perch Haul. See Chart No. 11.) Observed station is on a point of marsh covered with grass and water bushes, and is about i,s yards northwest from extreme end of point. A shanty stands among the bushes and small trees about 200 yards to the west-southwest. A clump of about 50 pine trees stands about ' ^ mile west and another clump stands about X "li'e northwest. Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° ' " Bivalve Church fS 21° 30' E;. o 00 00 2^4 miles. Tangent of land 33 24 ._ 1 mile. Left side of opening in woods 72 Two pine trees together 83 Center of shanty 98 Clump of pine trees 123 Clump of pine trees 176 Inside edge of cove 20 1 Clump of small pine trees 255 Tangent to point of land 269 Left tangent of Sandy Hill wharf 276 Large house 286 Left edge of pine woods near Wetipquin Creek 328 13 2 miles. 56 2 miles. ^4 mile. 200 yards. '4 mile. 20 __ ',4 mile. 45 -- 100 yards. 31 .. 4 mile. 35 -- I '2 miles. 02 __ 3 miles. 27 .- 3X niiles. Survey of Oyster Bars, Wicomico County, Md. STREETT. 25 ith ground. Reference station is center Locality. — Northwestern shore of Nanticoke River on point on southwest side of entrance to Jacks Creek. (See Chart No. 11.) Observed station is on a marsh and grass point 7 yards west from its extreme end and about 4 yards from each side of point to north and south. Cement monument marking reference station is 1 1.89 meters west of observed station. Marks. — Observed station is nail in pine stub flush v point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° "Earle" S 45° 01' E) o A shanty o Large white house with red roof 27 Canning-house stack at Tyaskin 33 Large white building 36 Point of marsh 47 First of four trees 13.5 Reference station 164 Point of marsh 25^ House on the other side of Jacks Creek 258 Left tangent of Sandy Hill wharf 309 38 White house 318 08 41 08 4^ 42 33 01 39 oi 13 I mile. I mile. 2 '2' miles. 1^4 miles. i}^ miles. 100 yards. !.2 mile. 1 . 89 meters. 30 yards. 34 mile. i}4 miles. I 'A miles. EARLE. I See Locality. — Southeast shore of Nanticoke River about one mile below Sandy Hill wharf. Chart No. 11.) Observed station is on sand and grass land between river and ])ine grove, and about 80 yards back and 5 feet above high-water mark. A white oak tree about 2 '2 feet in diameter stands between station and river and another and larger w-hite oak tree stands about 15 yards to the northeast. There is a shanty about 20 yards to the w-est and a sand beach nortliwest of the station. Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° ' " "Juliet" (S4i°05' W) o Nail in blaze in white oak tree (2 '2' feet in diameter) 88 Nail in blaze in pine tree 160 Nail in blaze in oak tree (2 ' i feet in diam- eter) 196 Nail in blaze in pine tree 326 Right tangent of woods on other side of Wetipquin Creek 358 35 52 I '4 miles. 30 13. 98 meters. 00 19. 05 meters. 40 13.95 meters. 00 15. 76 meters. miles. JULIET. Locality. — Eastern shore of Nanticoke River on point on southwest side of entrance to Wetipquin Creek. (See Chart No. 11.) Observed station is on sand and marsh point about 100 yards southwest of entrance to Wetipquin Creek. It is about 10 yards back from high-water mark and about 5 yards outside of several small pine trees. Very dense pine woods stand about 100 yards to the south of the station. Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° ' " "Earle" (N 41° 04' E) o Nail in blaze in pine tree 29 Near point of roof of oyster house 40 Left edge of woods 64 61807 — 09 — —4 00 00 i^ miles. 41 30 4-92 meters. 05 .- 300 yards. 21 -. 200 yards. 26 Survey of Oyster Bars, Wicomico County, Md. References — Continued. ° Nail in blaze in pine tree__- 71 Nail in blaze in pine tree 98 Right edge of woods 163 Right tangent of Bivalve wharf 170 Two-story white house ,. 210 Two-story white house with red roof __ 228 Opening in woods _ _ 230 • Gray house at Jacks Creek 324 Tangent of land 345 Tangent of land 354 49 POLE. 5. 31 meters. S. 88 meters. 200 yards. \14 miles. 2]4 miles. ^ mile. 3 miles. i>^ miles. 150 yards. 150 yards. Locality. — Eastern shore of Nanticoke River on wharf off town of Bivalve, located about i '4 miles northeast of Ragged Point. (See Chart \o. 11.) Marks. — Observed station is flagpole on western peak of a house on wharf at Bivalve about 300 yards from shore. References. — None necessary. BIVALVE CHURCH. Locality. — Eastern shore of Nanticoke River about ^s mile back from shore in town of Bivalve on main road leading to the steamer landing. (See Chart No. ii.) Marks. — Observed station s center of steeple on Bivalve Methodist Church. References. — None necessary. RAG. Locality. — Eastern shore of Nanticoke River on northern side Ragged Point. (See Chart No. 11.) Observed station is on a sandy point about 25 yards back from high-water mark and 100 yards northeast from extreme end of point. A grove of pine trees stands about 50 yards to the east and two groups of pine trees about 20 and 75 yards to the northeast. Two pine trees each 15 inches in diameter and 2X feet apart stand about 20 yards to the east of the station. Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° ' " Nanticoke Church (S i ° 46' E) o Left end of Sandy Point 29 Chimney on house near " Cow" 51 Large tree at left end of woods 130 Left one of two trees (opposite shore) 169 Flag pole on Bivalve wharf 201 Smoke pipe on Bivalve wharf house 207 Nail in stump of limb on pine tree 218 Nail in blaze in double pine tree 258 Nail in blaze in large pine tree 293 Chimney on a white house. 303 Windmill near large house 344 Steeple on a barn 356 Ivarge chimney on large flat-roof house 357 00 00 I ^ miles. 17 -_ 3K miles. 48 -- 2 >2 miles. 20 .. 3X fn'les 56 .. 3^4 miles. II -_ i^ miles. 14 -- I ^ miles. 35 32. 78 meters. 01 19. 66 meters. 40 43. 19 meters. T35 y!«-ds. }4 mile. I mile. 1 mile. NANTICOKE CHURCH. Locality. — Eastern shore of Nanticoke River in town of Nanticoke, about }4 niile back from rivet and J^ mile northeast of Roaring Point. (See Charts Nos. 11 and 12.) Marks. — Observed station is center point of spire of church known as " Nanticoke Methodist Episcopal Church." References. — None necessary. Smvey of Oyster Bars, IViconiico Comity, Md. 27 CRAB. Locality. — Upper end and western shore of Tangier Sound on eastern side of Bloodsworth Island about 2yi miles southeast of Sharkfin Shoal Light and about halfway between Piney Island Cove to north and Great Cove to south. (See Chart No. 12.) Observed station is about 15 )'ards from high-water mark to the northeast and about 35 yards from the shore to the east. A small flat-roof crab house stands about 80 yards to the north-northeast and another crab house about twice the distance in the same direction. Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. Rejerences. — ° ' " "Sharkfin Shoal Light" (N 45° 25' E) o Left end of large white house near Stump Point. 6 End of roof of white house on bluff 31 End of Deal Island wharf 53 Large white house near red roof house 72 Aspen tree near "Joshua" 88 Tall pine tree 165 Near end of flat-roof shanty 288 Flag pole on Brown's crab house 299 00 00 25 8 miles. II .. Tyi miles. 36 -- 6>4 miles. 03 -_ 3K miles. 35 4X miles. 06 -_ syi miles 00 .. lyi miles. 32 .. 80 yards. 01 ._ 150 yards. SHARKFIN SHOAL LIGHT. Locality. — Northern end of Tangier Sound about equally distant from entrances of Hooper Strait, Fishing Bay, and Nanticoke River. (See Chart No. 12.) Marks. — Observed station is center point of black lantern on hexagonal screw pile known as "Sharkfin Shoal Light." Rejerences. — "Great Shoals Light" (N 81° 45' E) syi miles. HEAD. Locality. — Upper end of Tangier Sound, on southern part of peninsula known as " Bishops Head,'' situated between Hooper Strait and Fishing Bay. (See Chart No. 12.) Oljserved station is on eastern side of marsh land about X ™ilf northiof extreme southerly end of Bishops Head and about 15 yards east of two crab houses. It is about 15 yards southwest of high- water mark, behind water bushes which skirt the shore. Cement monument marking reference station is 13.41 meters west from observed station. Marks. — Observed station is a nail in a pine stub flush with ground. Reference station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. Rejerences. — ° ' " "Sharkfin Shoal Light" (S 60° 41' E) o Crab-house flagstaff 50 Large pine 97 Reference station 139 .\ear gable of 2^-story white house 140 Chimney on white house 156 Left side of crab house 166 Right side of crab house 199 Chimney on yellow house 208 Chimney on end of white house 238 Right side of Nanticoke Point woods 326 00 00 2^ miles. 30 -- - 3^ miles. -- 2 miles. 40 13.41 meters. . - X mile. .. ^■i mile. -. 17-31 meters. -- t6. 1 1 meters. -- lyi miles. -- 3 miles. 56 -. 7 X miles. 28 Survey of Oyster Bars^ IVicumicu Comity^ Md. FROG. Locality. — West shore of mouth of Nanticoke River, on the southeasterly point of Clay Island, known as "Frog Point." (See Chart No. 12.J Observed station is on a marsh point about 25 yards back from extreme end of point, 20 yards from the east side and 25 yards from the west side. Water bushes abound back of station. There are no permanent reference objects near station. Cement monument marking reference station is 13.10 meters north of observed station. Marks. — Observed station is nail in stub flush with ground. triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° ' "Sharkfin Shoal Light" (S 41° 25' W) o 00 Left tangent of Clay Island 3,s 17 ) Reference STATION 141 45 Right tangent of Sandy Point 177 41 Chimney on white house with black roof 179 12 Chimney on near end of large red-roof white house 183 02 Stack of canning house 184 Land end of Nanticoke wharf 184 End of Nanticoke wharf house _ . 186 Chimney on ell end of main part of large red- roof white house 21 1 Right tangent of Nanticoke Point woods 238 Large square chimney on white house (Dames Quarter) 264 Rock Creek poplar tree 284 Flagstaff on Deal Island wharf 322 ROAR. 36 36 44 17 Reference station is center point of 00 3^8 miles. - - I '4 miles. ,50 13. 10 meters. _ . I'i mile. - - 2 '^ miles. . . 2X miles. .- 2}4 miles. -- 2% miles. 2% miles. -- 2% miles. -. 2;'-^ miles. -- 4 miles. 17 -- 3X miles. 09 -- 434^ miles. 17 Locality. — Eastern shore of Nanticoke River on point of land known as Roaring Point, and about >4 mile north from outer end of Roaring Point wharf. (See Chart No. 12.) Observed station is 30 yards to the east of the extreme end of the point and on a sundv knoll about 5 feet above high-water mark. It is about 20 yards back from high-water mark on the north side and about 40 yards back from high-water mark on south side of the point. Pine woods stand about i,50 yards inshore from station. Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° ' " "Frog" (839° 02' W) o Two shanties _ 19 One shanty 30 A shanty - 71 White shanty 98 Barn steeple 117 White shanty behind "Okay" 121 Red roof house 144 Twin trees on Ragged Point 159 Chimney on white house 1 175 Windmill 184 04 Gambrel roof house 184 32 White canning house stack 195 11 Land end of wharf 271 58 Large house 293 38 Right tangent of Nanticoke Point woods 297 22 Right tangent of Nanticoke wharf 304 5 2 Lett tangent of Sandy Point 359 51 2]4 miles. 2 miles. 20 .. I ^ miles. 32 .- iX miles. 53 .- iK miles. 41 - 4>^ miles. 25 ._ 2^^ miles. 42 .. 7 X miles. 30 _. 2 miles. 23 .- i}4 miles. I mile. I mile yi mile. % mile. lyi miles. 2^ miles. }i mile. i^ miles. Survey of Ovster Bars, IVicoinuv County^ Md. 29 NANTI. Locality. — Eastern side of entrance to Nanticoke River about Vi mile northwest of Nanticoke Point. iSee Chart No. 12.) Observed station is on grassy land about 2 feet above and 20 yards back from high-water mark. It is about midway between edge of woods on Nanticoke Point and unpainted house near poplars '4 mile to the north. Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° ' " "Sharkfin Shoal Light" (S 65° 14' \V) o 00 00 smiles. Tangent of Sandy Point 51 33 -_ 2 '4 miles. Left end of Nanticoke wharf 8g 45 ._ 2 miles. Near chimney of red roof house 96 51 _- J^ mile. Chimney of unpainted house .,_ 1 loi 08 .. J^ mile. Near chimney of house nearest woods 116 56 .. j^:^ mile. Tree high above woods 119 53 ._ 2, '-^ miles. Right end of heavy woods 134 03 _. iX miles. Right end of scant woods 147 11 .. J^ mile. Wild cherry tree 178 24 .. 50 yards. Left end of woods. 227 46 -. .'4 mile. Right end of woods 269 45 .. X ni'ls- Poplar tree Dames Quarter 307 28 __ 2^ miles. Tangent of Haines Point 330 55 __ 4 '2 miles. WHITE. Locality. — Eastern shore of entrance to Nanticoke River on western part of Nanticoke Point. (See Chart No. 12.) Observed station is on a sand and grass point about 2 feet above high-water mark, 3 yards from the west side, 15 yards from the south end, and 20 yards from southeast side. Dense pine woods stand about 100 yards to the northwest, open marsh to the northeast, and a clump of about a dozen pine trees in marsh about ;' s mile to the northeast. There is a cove about 40 yards east of the station and another point of land about 100 yards to the southeast. Cement monument marking reference station is 16.63 meters north of observed station. Marks. — Observed station is a nail in a pine stub about 6 inches below surface or grovmd. Refer- ence station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° ' " "Great Shoals Light " (844° 16' E) o 00 00 i^ miles. Poplar tree at Dames Quarter 65 08 ._ 2 'X miles. Tangent of Hall Point 86 06 __ 3 J^ miles. Tangent of Sandy Point. 164 17 __ 3 miles. Left end of pine woods 172 27 _. 100 yards. Right end of pine woods 213 21 -. 150 yards. Reference st.'vtion 227 29 00 16. 63 meters. Largest tree in clump of about 12 pines 247 23 .. :' g mile. Chimney on cabin on Ellis Point 279 05 _. 2 miles. White house 311 54 __ J-i mile. Point of land 335 02 _- 100 vards. ELLA. Locality. — North shore of Wicomico River on point at east side of entrance to Ellis Bay. (See Chart Noj 12.) Observed station is on a marsh point about i foot above high-water mark. It is about 10 yards back from the shore to the west, 20 yards back from the shore to the south, and 20 yards back from the shore to the north. No permanent reference objects near station. 30 Surricy of Oyster Bars^ ]\'icoiuico Coiai/y, Md. Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° ' " "Great Shoals Light" (S9°49' W) o Tangent of land onMoUies Point 5 Watch house 26 Left of woods on Nanticoke Point :.. 44 Right of woods on Nanticoke Point 52 Chimney of white house 135 Chimney of gray house. _ 142 Chimney of white house 249 27 .. 200 yards Mount Vernon Church 257 Chimney on middle of white house 274 Chimney on cream and brown house 290 Chimney on brown house 291 Smoke pipe of watch house 306 58 28 49 03 2 miles. 1 mile. 2 mile. 2 miles. 4 miles. 2 miles. 2 miles. ^ miles. '4 miles. I mile. I mile. I mile. HOLLAND. Locality. — North shore of Wicomico River on Holland Point about 1 14 miles west of Mount Vernon Church, and i^ miles east of Ellis Bay. (See Chart No. 12.) Observed station is on a marsh point about 20 yards north of high-water mark on its extreme end and about 100 yards west of a creek. A small cabin stands about 200 j'ards to the west. Marks. — -Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° ' " "Wind" (S 28° 35' W) o Great Shoals Light 4 Tangent of Mollies Point 18 Left tangent of woods on Nanticoke Point 34 Right tangent of woods on Nanticoke Point 39 Chimney of house near Ellis Bay 46 Chimney of cabin . Sf> Chimney on left end of large red roof building. . 9 1 Large chimney on white house . 188 Chimney of slate-colored house 230 Chimney on middle of light-blue house 240 Chimney on 2, '^-story light-green house.., 266 41 .. ^ mile. Right chimney on white house 317 00 00 ij'4 miles. 34 .. 2}4 miles. 39 .- 2 miles. 33 .. 2%' miles. 28 .. 2 J^ miles. 19 .. I, '4 miles. 14 .. 200 yards. 56 .. 3 miles. 29 '4 miles. '4 miles. I mile. mile. CHILD. Locality. — North shore of Wicomico River about J.^ mile north of Mount Vernon Church. (See Chart No. 12.) Observed station is on marsh land about 2 feet above and 15 yards back from high-water mark. There is an old wharf about 300 yards to the east and at a point about 100 yards to the north, two creeks join and form a single creek about 20 feet wide which flows into the river at a point about 15 yards west of observed station. Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° ' " "Mount Vernon Church" (S 10° 15' E) o Chimney on white house in woods on opposite shore 3 Chimney on white house on sand bluff on opposite shore 15 Smoke pipe on large white house 19 Chimney on brown house 48 00 00 T/i mile. 23 .. ^ mile. 32 .. fi mile. 55 }4 mile. 14 .- I ^ miles. Snrvey of Oyster Bars, Wicomico County, Md. 31 References — Continued. ° ' " Great Shoals Light 49 33 .. 3 f< miles. Tangent of Holland Point 62 44 __ iX miles. Fork of creek 183 08 __ 100 yards. Chimney of large house 206 39 .. 2 miles. Chimney of another large house 238 43 J^ mile. Mount Vernon wharf smoke pipe 293 12 iX™iles. Large white house in woods 324 03 __ J^ mile. Cream-colored house in woods 345 47 .. Xmile. CREEK. Locality. — -North shore of Wicomico River about yi, mile northwest of Mount Vernon wharf and about I Vl miles northeast of Mount Vernon Church. (See Chart No. 12.) Observed station is on a marsh grass and sand point making out to the south and about 10 yards from the high-water mark of each of the three sides of the point. About 10 yards west of observed station is the mouth of a creek or drain 10 feet wide which runs only a short distance inland. There are several unpainted houses within 200 yards of observed station and a lone pear tree stands about 200 yards to the north. There is a cultivated field about 150 yards back of station which extends to edge of woods % mile distant. Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° ' " "Mount Vernon Church" (S 30° 39' W) o 00 00 i>-s miles. Chimney on light-blue house with red blinds -. 13 46 .- i^ miles. Lone tree 72 59 ._ i mile. Chimney of old unpainted house 108 18 _. 300 yards. Chimney of light-green trimmed house 135 15 _. 200 yards. Pear tree 159 48 __ 200 yards. Left chimney of cream-colored house 218 06 .. 300 yards. Tangent of cove 224 __ .. 30 yards. Smoke pipe on Mount Vernon wharf 282 34 _. f^ mile. Chimney outside yellow house 312 04 .- J^ mile. Chimney on slate-colored house 352 57 __ f^ mile. END. Locality. — North shore of Wicomico River opposite Mount Vernon wharf. (See Chart No. 12.) Observed station is on marsh land about 3 feet above and about 100 yards north of high-water mark in river and about 75 yards to the northwest of a large creek which runs about 2 miles inland. Water bushes skirt shore around station. Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — 011, "Jones" (S 60° 33' W) o 00 00 J< mile. Chimney on white house 7 24 __ i mile. Tangent of land 12 28 _. i mile. Near chimney of cream-colored house 68 25 X mile. Cupola on red barn. . T55 21 J^ mile. Old-style windmill _ 163 26 J^ mile. Chimney of Whitehaven Hotel 171 09 .. i^ miles. Webster's canning house 252 28 .. ^ mile. Right-hand chimney on gray house 273 42 ._ J^ mile. Left side of Mount Vernon wharf 294 13 .. ^ mile. Stack of Dashiell's canning house 304 52 .. J's mile. Middle attic window of white house 328 54 .. ^ mile. Chimney outside of yellow house.., 352 12 ._ ^ mile. 32 Survey of Oyster Bars^ Wicomico County, Md. WALNUT. Locality. — South shore of Wicomico River about 175 yards east of Mount Vernon wharf. (See Chart No. 12.) Observed station is on marsh land about 17 feet from shore and 50 yards west of a small creek. Several large walnut and locust trees stand about 250 yards south of station and 2 houses and 2 sheds about 250 yards to the southwest. Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. Rejerences. — ° ' " " Jones" (S 83° 49' W) o 00 00 iij' mile. Right side of Mount Vernon wharf house 17 18 .. 175 yards. Chimney outside of white house 46 52 _- i mile. Left chimney of gabled house 53 47 _. i mile. Old-style windmill 121 00 _. ^ mile. Left end of roof of Whitehaven wharf 136 18 ._ i^ miles. Chimney on Whitehaven Hotel- 136 40 .. i}4 mW&s. Opening between pair of pine trees near White- haven 140 Stack of Webster's canning house 187 Opening between two walnut trees 274 Chimney of Whitlock's house 307 . Stack of Dashiell's canning house 352 .- 1% n\'\\es. 38 -. 300 yards. .. 200 yards. 37 250 yards. 23 -. 400 yards. JONES. (See Locality. — South shore of Wicomico River about J4 m'le west of Mount Vernon wharf. Chart No. 12.) Observed station is on a knoll about 25 feet above and 30 yards to south of high-water mark, and about 200 yards to the east of a cove. The knoll on which the station is located is the highest point on the shore in this locality. Several small cabins stand to the northward about 25 yards, and a large lone cedar tree about 35 yards to the southwest. Marks.- — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° ' " "Ivee" (S 78° 54' W) o Large square chimney on four-gable house. 10 Cedar tree 11 Tangent of point of land 34 Nail in blaze in cedar tree 62 Chimney on light-green house on opposite shore 102 White cupola in Whitehaven 148 Old-style windmill 153 Whitehaven Hotel chimney 155 Large chimney on yellow house 178 Chimney on end of brown house 216 Chimney on white house 266 Weeping willow 307 Nail in blaze in cedar tree 318 ^ mile. yi mile. 25 yards. yi mile. 20. 30 meters. yi mile. 2^ miles. lyi miles. 2^^ miles. X mile. X mile. yi mile. yi mile. 30 -- 31. 10 meters. IVEE. Locality. — Southeast shore of Wicomico River about % mile northwest of Mount Vernon Church. (See Chart No. 12.) Observed station is on grass land about 1 foot above and 10 feet back from high-water mark. A small cove makes in about 100 yards east of station. A small lone pine stands about no yards to Survey of Oyslcr Bars, Wicomico Couiit,\\ Md. 33 the east-southeast, and a sand bluff with pine trees about lOO yards to the southwest. Beyond the woods along the beach is a bluff 15 feet high upon which are several houses. Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° ' " "Mount Vernon Church" (S 22° 37' E) o 00 00 is mile. White house chimney 55 35 __ ^ mile. Chimney on end of white house 209 55 -. 2 miles. Chimney of green-trimmed house near "Creek". 245 28 __ iX' miles. Old-style windmill 264 47 ._ 2^ miles. Slate-colored house 276 22 .. }{ mWe. Chimney on middle of white house beyond woods 297 II -. I mile. Lone pine tree 317 53 ._ no yards. MOUNT VERNON CHURCH. Locality. — Southeast side of Wicomico River about ' .s mile back from the shore i H miles south- west of Mount Vernon wharf. (See Chart No. 12.) Observed station is on main road in Mount \'ernc>n and is situated on the highest point in the vicinity. Marks. — Observed station is center of steeple of Mount Vernon Methodist Church. References. — None necessary. BALL. Locality. — Southeast shore of Wicomico River on a point of land about i mile northeast of Wingate Point. See Chart No. 12.) Observed station is on a sand and grass point making out about 100 yards west of a sand bluff. A small creek empties into the river about 10 yards to the east, and three poplars stand about 100 yards to the south. The extreme northern end of the point is about 35 yards from station and the western side is about 10 yards. Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° ' " "Holland" N 20° 03' W) o 00 00 ^2 mile. Middle one of five pines 107 09 .. 100 yards. Chimney on John Withlock's house 137 57 100 yards. . Left end of pine woods 145 33 __ '-2 niile- Right end of pine woods 165 04 __ 'smile. Chimney on white house 183 32 __ J^' mile. Third poplar 209 04 .- 100 yards. Chimney of brown house 248 27 ._ Smile. ■ WIND. Locality. — Southeast shore of Wicomico River about '4' mile north of southern end of Wingate Point. I See Chart No. 12.) Observed station is about 30 yards from high-water mark of Wicomico River on the north side and 20 yards from the west side. An oyster watchhouse stands about 100 yards to the east of the station. Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — o / // "Great Shoals Light" S 36° 29' W) o 00 00 lU miles. Tangent of Mollies Point 33 35 .. i mile. Left end of woods 46 12 .. ij^ miles. Right end of woods 51 45 -- ij^ miles. Tangent of Ellis Point 102 47 _. i mile. White house in woods . 157 19 .. 3 miles. Smoke pipe on watchhouse 185 49 -- 100 yards. Chimney of brown house 203 38 ._ '2 mile. 34 Siirvcv' of Oyster Bars, JJ^comico County, Md. Refeicnces — Continued. ° ' " Chimney of cream-colored house with brown trimmings 215 34 00 _ ', mile. Watchhousc- _ _ 308 41 _. j-4' mile. Chimney on 2>2'-story house 342 18 3 miles. Chimney on end of white house Dames Quarter 350 57 ._ 2 ', miles. LITTLE. Locality. — Southern shore of Monie Bay on second prominent point of marsh about '4' mile to the west entrance to Little Monie Creek. (See Chart No. 12.) Observed station is on a marsh point covered with water bushes and reeds. It is about i foot above high-water mark, 7 yards from the west side, 10 yards from the east side, and about 50 yards from extreme end of point. No permanent reference objects near station. Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° ' " "Great Shoals Light" (S 83° 43' W) o Left side of woods on Nanticoke Point 19 Right side of woods on Nanticoke Point 22 Tangent of Wingate Point 34 Chimney on red roof white house 60 Chimney on near end of white house with brown trimmings 62 02 __ 1^/2 miles. Chimney on red roof white house with green blinds 62 43 .. I K miles. Left chimney of yellow house trimmed white 79 52 .. \)/i m\\^%. Middle of woods .., 80 ._ _. ij^ miles. Large brown house_ _. _ 93 55 __ ij^ miles. Mount Vernon Church _ _ 102 42 ,. ij^ miles. Tangent of point of land _ 165 47 __ l^ mile. Tangent of point of land __ 320 16 75 yards. Tangent of land 346 47 .. 3 miles. 00 00 2 '4 miles. 34 .. i% miles. 24 .. 3',^ miles. 39 .- \yi miles. 13 -- -lYz miles. DOVE. Locality. — South shore of Monie Bay and about 'i mile east of entrance to Pigeon Creek. (See Chart No. 12.) Observed station is on marsh land about 10 yards back from high-water mark not far from water bushes which stand to the east. Cement monument marking reference station is 13.98 meters southeast from observed station. No permanent reference objects near station. Marks. — Obser\'ed station is a nail in pine stub flush with ground. Reference station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° ' " "Great Shoals Light" (N 57°4i'\V) o Left side of Nanticoke Point woods 6 Left side of Roaring Point heavy woods. _, 19 High lone pine showing above woods 23 Tangent of Wingate Point 52 Chimney of red roof house. 67 Cliimney on yellow house with red gable roof . 84 Mount Vernon Church 86 Tangent of land 106 38 . _ 300 yards. Reference st.^tion 202 35 50 13. 98 meters. Chimney of white house with dark red trimmings 245 21 ._ iXmile.s. .56 29 36 52 39 i^' miles. 2j^ miles. 5 miles. ,S miles. 2 miles. 2 miles. 3 miles. 37 - - 3X miles. Stinu'v of Oyster Bars, Wicomico County,, Md. GREAT SHOALS LIGHT. 35 Locality. — Middle of entrances to Monie Bay and Wicomico River about halfway between Long Point to the south and Mollies Point to the north. (See Chart No. 12.) Marks. — Observed station is center of black lantern on square screw pile structure known as "Great Shoals Light." Rejerences. — "Sharkfin Shoal Light" (S 81° 50' W) 5J4 miles. SHORT. Locality. — Southern shore of entrances to Monie Bay and Wicomico River on Long Point and about -I mile south-southwest from Great Shoals Light. (See Chart No. 12.) Observed station is on a sandy knoll on eastern side of entrance to Dames Quarter Creek about 15 feet back from high-water mark on the north side and about 30 feet from east side of point It is on the highest part of the knoll which is about 5 feet above high-water mark. Marks. — Observed station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° ' " "Sharkfin Shoal Light" (S 89° 03' W) o 00 00 . 5|s miles. Tile pipe in cement ("Long" 1901) 23 57 45 63. 703 meters. Nanticoke wharf __ 67 57 ._ 4^ smiles. Left side of Nanticoke woods _ 69 13 _ 2 miles. Yellow house with red blinds. - _ 74 53 - — 3X niiles. Left tangent of Wingate Point 124 13 -_ 238 miles. Chimney on red roof white house 132 39 __ 3 miles. Near chimney of yellow house 136 40 -- 3 miles. Chimney on red trimmed house- - 212 49 __ 2 miles. Left tree at Dames Quarter 260 37 _ _ >^' mile. Chimney on white barn 279 45 _- 300 yards. Left chimney on white house 320 05 __ 200 yards. Chimney on yellow house _ 341 35 _. 200 yards. ROOM. Locality. — Upper end and eastern shore of Tangier Sound on Halls Point. (See Chart No. 12.) Observed station is on a bluff 15 feet high about 5 yards back from its edge. It is about 25 yards east of a clump of mulberry trees and about 15 yards north-northwest of a barn. Locust and mulberry trees stand all about station and locust bushes along the edge of the bluff. A wagon trail runs parallel to the shore about 15 yards back of station. Cement monument marking reference station is 21.45 meters south-southwest of observed station and almost in line with a large mulberry tree. .Marks. — Observed station is nail in center of stub with top flush with ground. Reference station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° ' " "Sharkfin Shoal Light" (N 70° 00' W) o 00 00 _ . _ 2 >4 miles. Gable on near side of red roof on white house on Bishops Head - 3 01 _ similes. Near end of roof of large 2 >^-story house. _ 12 53 _ _ 7 X miles. , Left tangent of Clay Island 39 18 _ _ 3 X miles. Left side of Sandy Point woods 70 08 . 4 miles. Roaring Point wharf ' 85 22 __ 5 miles. Near chimney on end of large red roof white house _ . 94 36 _ _ 4X miles. Right side of Nanticoke woods. no 28 .. _ 3K miles. Mount Vernon Church 127 18 ., 7 miles. Near corner of barn ' .- 137 06 15. 96 meters. 36 Survey of Oyster Bars^ JViconiia References — Continued. ° ' Right-hand comer of barn 152 08 Reference station 268 30 Large cedar tree 276 30 Two-inch iron pipe 279 38 County^ Md. ._ 18. II meters. 00 2 1 . 45 meters. ._ 100 yards. 30 9-1 meters. 00 00 2 '2 miles. 57 -. 20 yards. 38 _- 4 J^ miles. HAINES. Locality. — Upper end and eastern shore of Tangier Sound on Haines Point, about 5 ,s mile norlli of Deal Island wharf. (See Chart No. 12.) Observed station is on sand and grass point about 20 yards back and ,s feet above high-waler iiuirk. Locust and water bushes stand about 20 yards to the north and the left edge of this clump is about on line with Sharkfin Shoal Light. A barbwire fence runs 3 yards east of station. Cement monument marking reference station is 9.64 meters east of observed station. Marks. — Observed station is nail in pine stub in center of a drain tile with top broken ulT licUiw surface. Reference station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° "Sharkfin Shoal Light" (X 45° 58' W) o Left of bushes 39 Left of Sandy Point woods ,S3 Chimney of 2'2-story white house trimmed with red 75 Chimney of unpainted house 85 Chimney on end of red cottage trimmed white 99 Reference st.\tion . 123 Pine tree ^ 148 Large square chimney on red house - i,S2 Right one of 5 large pines 184 Half way between chimneys on store on Deal Island 1. 213 Deal Island Church 217 Black gum tree 223 Right end of Deal Island wharf 234 Hooper Straits Light 343 04 49 . ^ Vi mile. . _ 330 yards. _ 3^ mile. 40 9. 64 meters. 30 --14 meters. •_ . 400 yards. 300 yards. J4 mile. I '^ miles. 6. 70 meters. 10 _ . '^ mile. 34 _ _ 7 H' miles. 49 DEAL ISLAND CHURCH. Localitv. — Deal Island on main road about '4 mile from tlic sliore anil about '4 mile south of Laws Thoroughfare. (See Chart No. 12.) Marks. — Observed station is center of steeple on Deal Island Methodist Churcli. References. — None necessary. BAR. Locaiilr. — Eastern shore of Tangier Sound on western side of Deal Island, about 1 mile nortlnvcsl of entrance to Lower Thoroughfare and '2 mile south of Middle Creek. (See Chart No. 12.) Observed station is about 10 yards east of high-water mark on sand and grass land liack of sandy Beach. The first of many tree stumps which are submerged at high water commence about 100 yards to the north and cat-tails grow abundantly back of station. Cement numument marking reference station is 6. 09 meters east of observed station. Marks. — Observed station is a nail in pine stul) Hush with ground. Reference station is center point of triangle on standard cement monument. References. — ° "Sharkfin Shoal Light" (N 19° 40' \V) o 00 00 4 'i miles. Tangent of Haines Point-. 27 29 .. 2i/^iTiiles. Survey of Oysfer Bars, Jl'iconiiro Coiiiily^ Md. 37 References — Continued. ° Flag pole on large building on Deal Island wharf 28 Middle chimney of large gray building 37 Chimney on white house 1 ^g Middle chimney on red roof white house 79 Reference station 107 Chimney on white house 118 Chimney on dark gray house 161 Right chimney on white four-gabled house with red roof 176 45 _- 2 miles. 41 _- I mile. 54 _ - 400 yards. ,Si . - ;'s mile. 10 00 6. og meters. 43 - - 400 yards. ,S7 .- ,^00 yards. 39 % mile. BOUNDARIES OF OYSTER BARS. EXPLANATION OF DESCRIPTION OF BOUNDARIES. The oyster bars of Wicomico Count}^ are 15 in number, and their total area, as marked out by buoys placed by the hydrographic engineer of the Commission, is 1,638 acres. As provided by law, the boundaries of the oyster bars are all straight lines, but they inclose areas of all shapes from triangles to complicated eight-sided figures, and of all sizes from 1,123 acres to 4 acres." The sides vary in length from 120 to 3,800 yards, and in some cases the corners of the boundaries are practically at the triangulation stations from which they are located, while in other instances they are over 7,500 yards from the landmarks most available for the purpose of fixing their positions. The varied characteristics of the legal boundaries of the oyster bars indicated by the above statement, together with the complicated requirements of the law under which the survey has been made and the magnitude of the work with the consequent need of fixed and uniform methods, have made the problem of describing the boundaries one of considerable difficulty and importance. The boundaries of the oyster bars of Maryland, as estabhshed by the Shell Fish Commission and delineated on the Coast and Geodetic Survey charts and projections and on the leasing charts of the Commission, are technically defined and described by a method somewhat different from that used in other oyster sur\'eys. But it is believed that the forms finally adopted will fulfill all needs of the survey for both the present and future. The descriptions have been arranged in tabular form, thus avoiding many hundred repetitions of the same words by making one explanation of the tables sufficient for all oyster bars in the county. At the top of each tabular form is given the legal name of the oyster bar to be described, its general locality, and the serial number of the "Charts of Oyster Bars" of Maryland on which its legal boundaries are shown. The first column, under the heading of "Corner of bar," gives the number corre- sponding to the corner of the boundary as shown on the charts and to the number on the buoy marking the actual corner of the bar. The numbers of the corners have been assigned by naming the southernmost point No. i, thence proceeding in a clockwise direction around the bar; but where a corner of one oyster bar is identical with the corner of the boundaries of one or more other oyster bars only the number of the corner of the oyster bar being described in the table is given in this column. The second and third columns, under the headings of " Latitude" and " Longitude," give the geographic positions of the corners. These positions have been adopted by the " For similar statistics for other counties that have been surveyed, see Appendix C of this "publi- cation. 38 Siirvev of Oystrr />a/s, II 'iconiico Coniily^ Md . 39 Commission as the primary technical definition of the corners, and should be considered as final in case of a dispute arising from discrepancies caused by other means of location. The latitudes and longitudes given in these columns are based on the United States standard datum of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, and the points thus defined can be relocated from distant triangulation stations of the Survey, even though all the land- marks and buoys originally used for their location have been destroyed by natural causes or by acts of vandals desiring to defeat the purposes of the oyster laws of Maryland. The fourth and fifth columns, under the general heading of "True bearing"" and the specific headings " Forward" and " Back," give bearings measured from a true north- and-south line. The three "Forward" bearings are from the corner of the boundary designated in the first column to the triangulation stations named on the corresponding lines in the last column, and the three " Back" bearings are from these same stations in the last column to the corresponding corner of boundary in the first column. The difference in minutes of arc between the forward and back bearings shown in some cases is actual and not accidental, and is due to the fact that the computations took into account the spheroidal shape of the earth. The sixth column, under the heading of "Distance," gives the three computed distances in yards from the corner of the bar noted in the first column to the three triangulation stations named on the corresponding lines in the last column, and vice versa. The seventh and last column, under the heading of " U. S. C. & G. S. triangulation station," Ogives the names of the landmarks from which were computed the correspond ing "Latitude," "Longitude," "True bearing," and "Distance" of the "Corner of the bar" designated in the first column. A full description of the location and markings of these triangulation stations is given in another part of this publication, under the heading of "Descriptions of triangulation stations." SURVEYING METHODS FOR RELOCATION OF BOUNDARIES. There are a number of methods that can be used in the relocation of the actual boundaries of the natural oyster bars as technically described in this publication and delineated on the published charts of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and the leasing charts of the Shell Fish Commission. The following brief descriptions of five of these more or less difi'erent methods assume a certain amount of experience and knowledge on the part of the engineer in the particular kind of surveying under consideration, and are only intended as reminders of ways and means that can be used. There are two problems that are likely to present themselves to those interested in the boundaries of natural oyster bars. One, to determine whether the buoys marking the corners have been dragged or otherwise moved from their correct positions, and the other, to relocate or reestablish a buoy at the point from which it was removed. The different ways of solving these two problems partly depend upon the instruments possessed by the engineer and his assistants and parti}' on his training and experience. " The mean magnetic variatum for Wicomico County is 5° 45' west of north (igo8), and is increas- ing at the rate of 3' yearly. 6 Geographic ])ositions of these triangulation stations can be obtained by application to the Super- intendent of the Coast and Geodetic Survey at Washington. 40 Survey of Oyster Bars, Wicomico County, Md. (i) Triangulation. — This method is the one that will give the greatest accuracy, but on account of its requiring special data and instruments, and being an operation rarely used by engineers not engaged in geodetic surveying, it is recommended only for cases in dispute that can not be settled satisfactorily by some other method. An explanation of this class of work would be too long for a report of this sort, and those not familiar with this method are referred to the publications on the subject by the Coast and Geodetic Survey. (2) Hydrographic. — This method is the most simple and satisfactory one that can be adopted if the surveyor can obtain the use of the necessary instruments and assistants. It is the one best suited for the work of the engineers of the Commission in relocating corners of boundaries, as it gives results of the accuracy ordinarily required and is rapid in execution. Besides, it has the advantage of being available whenever three triangu- lation stations of suitable relative positions are visible from the offshore points needing relocation. Most navigators and others familiar with the use of a sextant are well acquainted with the graphic three-point method of fixing a position on water, and only a brief description of the operation will be stated. In the case where there is only one engineer having a single sextant, the three-point method can be used if the two angles determining the position of a buoy are first derived from the "Forward" bearings given in the tabular forms describing the bound- aries of the oyster bars. For example, take "Upper Stake" bar, which is the first one described in this pubHcation, and assume that "Corner No 3," is to be examined as to its position. The angle between the two landmarks "Juliet" and "Earle" as determined from right to left from the forward bearings from this corner is 92° 57' and the angle between "Earle" and "Streett" is 66° 51'. Having these two angles, the engineer proceeds to the buoy of doubtful location and measures the actual sextant angles between the landmarks for which the calculations were made. If the meas- ured and calculated angles do not agree the buoy is not in its correct position and the boundary corner must be relocated. This is accomplished by moving the boat about until a point is reached where the angles do agree, and this point being the desired location, the buoy can be placed in its correct position. If the engineer can obtain the use of both a sextant and a three-arm protractor ("position finder"), the availability of the hydrographic method is increased, as the use of the protractor is essential in case of the washing away or destruction of one or more of the landmarks originally used in describing the boundaries. Under these circum- stances, any three landmarks of suitable relative position' that are visible from the point to be located can be utiUzed. For example, the engineer can proceed to the buoy of doubtful position and measure the two adjacent sextant angles between the three landmarks selected. These two angles are set off on the three-arm protractor and the actual position of the buoy plotted on the chart by shifting the protractor about until the edge of each of the three arms passes through the center of the symbols on the chart marking the position of the three landmarks selected. The center of the hub of the protractor will indicate on the chart the actual position of the buoy, and if the point thus obtained does not coincide with the true position of the corner of the bound- ary as given on the chart, the surveyor can proceed to locate the buoy correctly by reversing the operation. This is done by placing the center point of the hub of the Su7-vev of Oyster Bars, Wicoviico County, Md. 41 protractor over the corner of the boundary in question and measuring on the chart the two adjacent protractor angles between the three selected landmarks. One of the angles thus obtained is set on the sextant and the boat moved about until the two land- marks are shown by the sextant to subtend the same angle obtained from the pro- tractor. The second angle is then placed on the sextant and the same operation gone through, and so on, first using one angle on the sextant then the other until a point is reached where both observed sextant angles are practically identical with the pro- tractor angles. The point thus located is the desired one and the buoy can be placed to mark the true position of the corner of the boundary in question. If the engineer possesses two sextants and a protractor, this problem is far easier of solution, as the two angles can be set ofif on separate sextants and the observer can quickly find the desired point where they agree with the protractor angles by using one sextant after the other without the need of resetting either. If there are two observers, two sextants, and a protractor, it can be seen that the best conditions for both rapid and accurate hydrographic locations of points are attained ; in fact, this is the method by which the buoys at the corners of the boundaries were originally placed by the hydrographic engineer to the Commission. (3) Magnetic hearings from offshore. — This method of fixing a position on water is a simple and well-known one in navigation. It is available to anyone having a boat compass and will be of special use to the State fishery force in investigating cases where buoys are supposed to have been moved for illegal purposes. In the case where a buoy is supposed to have been moved from its true position the observer takes compass bearings to the three landmarks given in the last column of the tables opposite the boundary corner in question. These bearings are then corrected for the local declination," and if the results agree with the published bearings the buoy is correctly located. In the case where the buoy is not in its correct position, or has disappeared alto- gether, the desired point can be determined by maneuvering the vessel until the cor- rected bearings agree with the ones in the tabular descriptions, when the buoy can be anchored in its proper location. In the case where the landmarks for which the bearings are published have been destroyed or washed away, any landmarks whose positions are indicated on the charts can be used by getting their bearings directly from the chart by parallel rulers or a pro- tractor and then applying them in the same manner as the ones published in the tables. (4) Magnetic bearings from shore. — This method will be of special value to engineers having an ordinary surveyor's compass. The compass can be set over the point mark- ing a " triangulation station" on shore, the name of which is given in the last column opposite the "corner" in question. The instrument is then set at the corresponding "back" bearing (corrected for local magnetic declination) given in the fourth column of the tables opposite the "corner" in question, and the direction thus determined will give one range on which the desired point must be located. The compass can then be moved to a second triangulation station and another range located in a similar manner. The intersection of these two range lines will give the desired point; but in general it should be checked by an additional range line determined from a third station. " The mean magnetic variation for Wicomico County is 5° 45' west of north (1Q08) and is increasing at the rate of 3' yearly. 42 Survey of Oyster Bars, Wicomico County, Md. (5) Horizontal angles measured at landmarks. — This process is a modification of the triangulation method, and will be useful to engineers who have a transit and desire considerable accuracy. The instrument is placed over a " triangulation station," the name of which appears in the last column of the tabular description opposite the "corner" in question. The telescope is then pointed to the landmark indicated in the "Descriptions of landmarks" as having a direction of 0° 00' 00" from the triangulation station being occupied by the transit. The tabular description of the boundaries is next examined and the "back" bearing of the questionable boundary "corner" from the landmark being occupied is taken out. The angle calculated from this "back" bearing and the bearing given in parentheses alongside the zero landmark in the "Descriptions of landmarks" is then set off on the transit, and a range line established on which the desired point must be located. A similar process is then carried on at a second station, and so on until the position of the buoy is satisfactorily fixed. BOUND.-VRIES OF NATURAL OYSTER BARS. UPPER STAKE. {Nanticoke River — Chart No. it.) Cor- latitude Longitude True I Forward earing Distance U. S. C. & G. S. triangula- of bar Back tion station I 38 20 06. 36 75 52 59- 76 S N N 01 E 59 07 E 3 51 E N S S 01 59 08 3 51 W W w Yards. 811 1718 2209 Juliet. Earle. StreetL 2 38 20 08. 36 75 53 06. 16 S N X II 10 E 63 45 E 8 28 E N S S 1 1 10 63 46 8 28 w w w 895 1834 2160 JulieL Earle. Streett. 3 38 20 22.41 75 53 07- 20 s N N 8 27 E 78 36 E II 45 E N S s 8 27 78 36 II 45 w w w 1366 1706 1703 Juliet. Earle. Streett. 4 38 20 19.59 75 52 32.41 N N S 59 59 E 78 39 W 29 56 w s s N 59 59 78 40 29 56 w E E 864 3169 1449 Earle. Gover. Juliet. WETIPQUIN. (Nanticoke River — Chart No. 11.) I 38 19 47.59 I 75 53 16.03 S 67 52 E N 67 53 \V j N 51 35 E S 51 36 W ' N 48 52 W S 48 52 E 38 20 01.90 75 53 21. 70 3 38 20 08. 36 I 75 53 06. 16 S 41 37 W N 41 37 E N 63 25 E S 63 26 W N 55 51 W S 55 52 E S II 10 E N 63 45 E N 8 28 E Yards. 470 j Juliet. 2433 i Earle. 2587 I Gover. 883 Juliet. 2300 Earle. 2173 ■ Gover N 1 1 10 W 895 Juliet. S 63 46 W 1834 Earle. S 8 28 w 1 2160 Streett. Survey of Oyster Bars, Wicomico County, Md. BOUNDARIES OF NATURAL OYSTER BARS — Continued. SAND LUMP. {Nanticoke River — Chart No. ii.) 43 Cor- Latitude Longitude True bearing Distance U. S. C. & G. S. triangula- lion station of bar Forward Back • / / Yards. 1 38 IK 45.20 75 53 49-8° N 34 40 E N 63 18 W S 10 25 W S 34 40 W S 63 19 E N 10 25 E 2342 2780 536 Juliet. Ar. Pole. 2 38 18 52. 18 75 53 47-54 N 36 57 E N 68 16 W S II 36 E S 36 58 W S 68 17 E N II 36 W 2116 2739 779 Juliet. Ar. Pole. 3 38 18 48. 82 75 53 42-02 N 31 57 E N 67 16 W S 25 04 W S 31 58 w S 67 17 E N 25 04 E 2127 2918 717 Juliet. Ar. Pole. HICKORY NUT. {Nanticoke River — Chart No. 11.) , , / , Yards. I 38 18 .35- 22 75 53 .50.58 N 30 52 E N 57 14 W S 21 47 w S 30 53 W S 57 14 E N 21 47 E 2637 2930 206 Juliet. Ar. Pole. 2 , 38 1 18 38.40 75 54 08. 15 S 52 39 E S 40 10 E N 53 29 W N 52 39 W N 40 10 W S 53 29 E 491 2821 2485 Pole. Juliet. Ar. 3 , 38 18 45 . 20 75 53 49- 80 N 34 40 E N 63 18 W S 10 25 W S 34 40 W S 63 19 E N iS 25 E 2342 2780 536 Juliet. Ar. Pole. OLD WOMANS PATCH. {Nanticoke River — -Chart No. 11.) / // , „ / Yards. I 38 18 21.60 75 54 II. 80 N 42 53 W S 83 47 W vS 15 20 W S 42 54 E N 83 46 E N 15 20 E 2792 , 3241 1655 Ar. Okay. Rag. 2 38 18 29.24 75 54 16. 24 N 44 54 W vS 78 55 W S 9 47 w S 44 55 E N 78 54 E N 9 47 E 2524 3164 1880 Ar. Okay. Rag. 3 38 •« 31-58 75 54 06. 00 N 50 14 W S 78 30 W S 17 02 W S 50 15 E N 78 28 E N 17 01 E 2672 3446 2020 Ar. Okay. Rag. 44 Survey of Oyster Bars, Wicomico County, Md. BOUNDARIES OF NATURAL OYSTER BARS — continued. CEDAR SHOAL. {Nanticoke River — Chart No. ii.) Cor- True bearing ner Latitude Longitude Distance u. s. c &G. S tion sta triangula- of ion bar Forward Back o , , / , / c , Yards. I 38 18 09 96 75 54 '2 74 N N S 37 89 18 34 ■5 56 w w w s s N 37 89 18 35 16 56 E E E 3075 3197 1272 Ar. Okay. Rag. 2 38 18 12 02 75 54 28 56 N S S 31 89 34 25 22 w \v E s N N 31 89 36 24 E E W 2779 2778 1272 Ar. Okay. Rag. .•? 38 18 24 37 75 ,54 31 60 N S s 35 80 3 09 38 01 W W E S N N 35 80 3 09 37 00 E E W 2387 2733 1691 Ar. Okay. Rag. 4 38 18 =7 58 75 54 20 33 N S 42 79 14 33 W W S N 42 79 14 32 i 2490 3047 Ar. Okay. s 6 41 w N 6 41 1809 Rag. LONG SHOAL. (Nanticoke River — Chart No. 11.) , // , / , Yards. I 38 18 17. 84 75 54 55-96 N 18 30 W S 18 30 E 2290 Ar. S 83 45 W N 83 44 E 2061 Okav. S 26 38 E N 26 37 W 1643 Rag. 2 38 18 27.04 75 54 54- 42 N 22 25 W S 22 25 E 2013 Ar. S 75 37, W N 75 37 E 2152 Okay. S 21 2f E N 21 21 W 1908 Rag. 3 38 18 26. 22 75 .54 37- 60 N 32 44 W S 32 45 E 2246 Ar. S 78 42 W N 78 41 E 2587 Okav. S 8 04 E N 8 04 W 1768 Rag. CHERRY TREE. {Nanticoke River — Chart No. 11.) I 38 18 06.21 i 75 54 38. , , : Yards. 20 N 25 03 W S 25 04 E 2830 Ar. N 86 II W S 86 12 E 2526 Okav S 13 47 E N 13 47 W 1 108 Rag. 2 38 18 13. 16 75 54 44- 72 N 23 46 W S 88 23 W S 18 27 E S 23 46 E N 88 22 E N 18 27 W 2545 2349 1381 Ar. Okay. Rag. 3 38 18 15.00 75 54 33- 76 , N 30 09 W S 87 13 W S 6 03 E 1 S 30 09 E N 87 12 E N 6 03 W 2621 2642 1387 Ar. Okay. Rag. Survey of Oyster Bars, Wicomico County, Md. BOUNDARIES OF NATURAL OYSTER BARS — continued. WILSON SHOALS. {Lower Nanticoke River — Chart No. ii.) 45 Longitude True bearing 38 17 04.58 I 75 55 15.02 38 17 06.76 75 55 27.60 3 38 17 55. 16 75 55 18.02 4 38 18 03.50 75 54 52 5 38 17 44. 10 75 54 50. 18 S 36 46 E N SI 08 E N 34 29 W S 41 55 E N 59 31 E N 29 05 W N 36 44 W S 51 08 W S 34 30 E N 41 55 W S 59 32 W S 29 05 E Yards. 2221 1597 2724 2490 1830 Nanticoke Church. Rag. Okay. Nanticoke Church. Rag. Okay. N 69 44 W S 2 42 E S 61 59 E S 69 44 E N 2 42 W N 61 58 W 1559 4131 1498 Okay Roar. Rag. N 16 57 W ,N 83 04 W S 33 33 E S 16 58 E S 83 05 E N 33 33 W 2776 2148 1 182 Ar. Okay. Rag. S 60 25 E N 44 31 E N 67 28 W N 60 24 W S 44 32 W S 67 29 E 670 2150 2384 Rag. Pole. Okay ROARING POINT EAST. {Lower Nanticoke River — Chart No. 12.) f, / " ! , , Yards. I 38 15 37-80 75 55 33- 62 , S N N 34 23 E 50 18 E. 65 17 W N S S 34 22 W 50 19 W 65 18 E 4041 791 1942 Nanti. Roar. Cow. 2 38 15 46.36 75 55 49- 20 N N N 78 01 E 30 35 E 68 50 W S s S 78 02 W 30 34 W 68 50 E 1047 4228 1448 Roar. Rag. Cow. 3 38 16 07. 78 75 55 43- 22 S S N 82 29 W 59 42 E 86 14 E N N s 82 28 E 59 42 W 86 15 W 1522 1002 2083 Cow. Roar. Nanticoke Church. 46 Survey of Oyster Bars^ Wicomico County^ Md. BOUNDARKS OF NATURAL OYSTER BARS — continued. MIDDLEGROUND. (Mouth NatUicoke River — Chart No. 12.) Cor- Latitude Longitude True bearing Distance Yards. U. S. C. it G. S. trianguli bar Forward B ack tion station / // / // , / I 38 12 26. 22 75 55 40.38 N N S 79 29 83 30 E 24 W 42 w S s N 79 29 83 32 25 39 W E E 4697 4058 5699 Great Shoals Light. Frog. Sharkhn .Shcial Light. 2 38 12 32.01 7,5 55 51-86 N N S 82 26 81 21 E 49 w 17 \v S s N 82 26 8r 23 48 15 W E E 4q68 .1741 5422 Great Shoals Light. Frog. Sharkfin Shoal Light 3 38 12 47.41 75 55 44-62 N N S 88 33 76 17 E 40 \V 26 \V s s N 88 33 76 19 41 23 \V E E 4734 3389 57"- Great Shoals Light. Frog. Sharkfin Shoal Light 4 38 13 1301 75 55 54-46 s N S 81 39 67 47 E 34 W 23 w N S N 81 39 67 45 35 21 W E , E 5045 2539 5729 Great Shoals Light. Frog. Sharkfin Shoal Light 5 38 14 43- 39 75 55 32-02 N N S 13 38 E 34 19 W 63 48 w S S N 13 34 63 38 20 47 W E ■ E 2408 3204 2468 Roar Cow. Frog. 6 38 15 03.62 75 55 00.00 N N S 9 53 59 44 W 32 w 59 W S s N 9 53 59 44 33 58 E E E 1683 3305 3541 Roar. Cow. Frog. 7 38 13 12.39 75 55 00.00 S N S 78 48 E 57 10 W 72 04 W N S N 78 57 72 47 II 02 W E E 3613 3649 7082 Great Shoals Liglil. Frog. Sharkfin Shoal Light 8 38 13 10.60 75 54 40- 80 s N S 78 60 73 04 E 19 W 42 W N S N 78 60 73 03 21 39 \\ E E 3100 41 16 7553 Great Shoals Light Frog. Sharkfin Shoal Light BIG HILL. {Mouth NatUicoke Rivet — Chart No. 12.) Survey of Oyster Bars^ li'icoiiiico County^ Md. BOUNDARIES OF NATURAL OYSTER BARS — continued. GREAT SHOALS. {Mouth Wicomico River — Chart No. 12.) True bearing Longitude - Disti Forward I Back 47 I 38 12 4701 38 13 00.41 3 3» '3 13-97 4 38 13 20.76 , , , , Yards. 75 52 37 71 N 54 28 W S 54 28 E 285 Great Shoals Light S 39 20 W N .39 19 E 1505 Short. S 57 44 E N 57 43 W 1979 Dove. 75 54 00 00 s 37 25 E N 37 25 w 2034-, Short. s 81 19 E N 81 18 w 1971 Great Shoals Liglil N II 40 E S II 40 w 1433 White. 75 54 00 00 s 30 49 E N 30 48 w 2414 Short. s 68 49 E N 68 48 w 2090 Great Shoals Liglil N 17 ot E S 17 01 w 990 White. 75 52 19 72 N 36 44 E S 36 44 w 1545 Wind. s 28 34 E N 28 35 w 2500 Dove. s 36 10 W N 36 10 E 1219 Great Shoals Light 5 38 12 49 82 75 ^2 24 28 S 48 49 E X 48 49 W <749 Dove. s 46 10 VV N 46 10 E 1818 Short. N 84 22 w s 84 22 E 601 • Great Shoals Light. INGRAM SHOAL. (Lower Wicomico River — Cliart No. 12.) 13 38.61 38 13 51.98 3 38 13 57- 26 75 52 I 3- 64 S 21 12 W N s8 14 E N 31 W N S S 21 12 E 58 14 w 31 E Yards. 1702 1210 1877 Great Shoals Light Wind. Ella. 1.90 S 10 59 W N 81 31 E N 8 06 E X s S 10 59 E 81 32 w 8 06 W 2075 1262 ■439 Great Shoals Light Wind. Ella. 8.97 S 18 28 W N 89 29 E X 6 28 W X S s 18 28 E 89 -^o W 6 28 E 2335 904 1255 Great Shoals Light Wind. Ella 48 Survey of Oyster Bars, Wicomico County, Md. BOUNDARIES OF NATURAL OYSTER BARS — Continued. HOLLAND. [Lower Wicomico River — Chart No. 12.) Cor- Latitude Loii^tudc True bearing Distance U. S. C. & G. S. triangula- o£ bar ■Forward Back tion station ' 3$ 14 36.02 75 .s I 06. 20 N 8 40 S 38 27 s 32 56 W w E S 8 40 E N 38 26 E N 32 56 W Yards. 469 1659 414 HoUand. Wind. Ball. 2 38 14 38.98 75 51 09.36 N I 40 S 34 06 S 34 36 E W E S I 40 W N 34 06 E N 34 35 ^\' 364 1690 545 Holland. Wind. Ball. 3 38 14 42.04 7.S ^i 03.04 N 30 42 S 36 36 S 14 23 W W E S 30 42 E N 36 36 E X 14 23 w 303 1871 569 Holland. Wind. Ball. 4 38 14 39- 00 75 51 00.40 N 31 47 W S 40 16 W S 9 GO E S 31 47 E N 40 16 E N 9 00 W 428 I Holland. 1834 I Wind. 454 Ball. APPENDIXES Appendix A.— LAWS RELATING TO THE COOPERATION OF THE COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY AND BUREAU OF FISHERIES WITH THE MARYLAND SHELL FISH COM- MISSION. The work of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and of the Bureau of Fisheries, in cooperation with the Maryland Shell Fish Commission, in surveying the oyster bars, establishing permanent landmarks at triangulation stations, and preparing for publication the necessary charts and technical and legal descriptions of boundaries and landmarks shown on these charts, has been executed in compliance with a request from the governor of the State of Maryland to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, and by the authority of the following laws of the United States and Maryland: [Act of Congress approved May 26, 1906.] AN ACT To authorize the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to cooperate, through the Bureau of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and the Bureau of Fisheries, with the shellfish commissioners of the State of Maryland in making surveys of the natiu"al oyster beds. bars, and rocks in the waters within the State of Maryland. Be it enacted by the Senate and House 0/ Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of Commerce and Labor be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed, upon the request of the governor of the State of Maryland, to designate such officers, experts, and employees of the Bureau of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and of the Bureau of Fisheries as may be necessary to cooperate with the Maryland State board of shellfish commissioners in making a survey of and locating the natural oyster beds, bars, and rocks in the waters within the State of Maryland; and the Secretary of Commerce and Labor is hereby authorized and directed to furnish to the officers, experts, and employees of said Bureaus so detailed as aforesaid such instruments, appliances, and steam launches as may be necessary to make the survey aforesaid; and the Secretary of Commerce and Labor is hereby authorized to have made in the Bureau of the Coast and Geodetic Survey all the plats necessary to show the results of the aforesaid survey and the locations of the said natural oyster beds, bars, and rocks in the waters within the State of Maryland, and to furnish to the board of shell- fish commissioners of the State of Maryland such copies as may be necessary, and for this purpose to employ, in the District of Columbia and elsewhere, such technically qualified persons as may be neces- sary to carry out the purpose of this act. Sec. 2. That the Secretary of Commerce and Labor is hereby further authorized to have erected or constructed by the officers so detailed as aforesaid, while making such survey, such structures as may be necessary to mark the points of triangulation, so that the same may be used for such future work of the Coast and Geodetic Survey as the said Bureau may be hereafter required to perform in prosecuting the Government coast survey of the navigable waters of the United States located within the State of Maryland. 4: * ^ 4: * :fc 4e Sec. 4. That this act shall take effect from the date of its passage. 50 Survey of Oyster Bars, IJ'iconiico County, Md. [Act of Congress approved June 3o, 1906.] AN ACT Making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the Escal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and seven, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That the following sums be, and the same are hereby, appropriated, for the objects herein- after expressed, for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and seven, namely: * * * Coast and Geodetic Survey: * * * por any special surveys * * * including the expenditures authorized under Public Act Numbered One hundred and eighty-one, approved May twenty-sixth, nineteen hundred and six, and contingent expenses incident thereto, five thousand dollars, together with the unexpended balance under this appropriation for nineteen hundred and six and prior years which is hereby reappropriated and made available on this account for the fiscal year nineteen hundred and seven. * * * [Act of Congress approved March 4, 1907.] AN ACT Making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending Jiuie thirtieth, nineteen hundred and eight, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the following sums be, and the same are hereby, appropriated, for the objects herein- after expressed, for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and eight, namely: * * * Coast and Geodetic Survey: * * * For any special surveys * * * including expenses of surveys in aid of the shellfish commission of the State of Maryland, to be immediately available and to continue available unul expended, twenty-five thousand dollars. * * * [Act of Congress approved May 27, 1908.] AN ACT Making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and nine, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the following sums be, and the same are hereby, appropriated, for the objects herein- after expressed, for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and nine, namely: * * * Coast and Geodetic Survey: * * * For any special surveys * * * including expenses of surveys in aid of the shellfish commission of the State of Maryland, which expenses, including cost of plats and charts, shall not exceed fifteen thousand dollars in any one year, to be immediately avail- able, twenty thousand dollars. [Act of the legislature of Maryland approved April 2, 1906.] AN ACT to establish and promote the industry of oyster cultm*e in Maryland, to define and mark natural oyster beds. bars and rocks lying under the waters of this State, to prescribe penalties for the infringement of the provisions of this Act, and » * * Section i. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the following sections be, and they are hereby, added to Article 72 of the Code of Public General Laws, title "Oysters." * * * Sec. 86. The Board of Shell Fish Commissioners sliall, as soon as practicable after the passage of this Act, cause to be made a true and accurate survey of the natural oyster beds, bars and rocks of this State, said survey to be made with reference to fixed and permanent objects on the shore, giving courses and distances, to be fully described and set out in a written report of said survey, as hereinafter required. A true and accurate delineation of the same shall be made on copies of published maps and charts of the United States coast and geodetic survey,, which said copies shall be filed in the oflice of the said commissioners in the city of Annapolis: and the said commissioners shall further cause to be Survey of Oyster Bars^ Wicomico County^ Md. 51 delineated upon copies of the published maps and charts of the United States coast and geodetic survey, of the largest scale, one copy for each of the counties of this State in the waters of which there are natural oyster beds, bars and rocks, all natural beds, bars and rocks lying within the waters of such county, which maps shall be filed in the offices of the clerks of the Circuit Court for the respective counties wherein the grounds so designated may lie. Sec. 87. The Governor of this State is hereby requested to ask the assistance of the United States coast and geodetic survey, and of the United States Fish Commissioner, to aid in the carrying out of the provisions of the preceding section. * * * Sec. 89. As soon as practicable after the first day of April, 1906, the said commissioners shall organize, and shall at once proceed, with the assistance of such person or persons as may be detailed by the United States coast and geodetic survey, and the United States Fish Commissioner, to aid them in their work, and of such persons as may be appointed under the preceding section, to have laid out, surveyed and designated on the said charts, the natural beds and bars, and shall cause to be marked and defined as accurately as practicable, the limits and boundaries of the natural beds, bars and rocks, as established by said survey, and they shall take true and accurate notes of said survey in writing, and make an accurate report of said survey, setting forth such a description of landmarks as may be necessary to enable the said board, or their successors, to find and ascertain the boundary lines of the said natural oyster beds, bars and rocks, as shown by a delineation on the maps and charts provided in this Act; said report shall be completed and filed in the office of the board in the city of Annapolis within ninety days after the completion of the survey of any county. Said commissioners shall cau.se the same to be published in pamphlet form, and transmit copies of the same to the clerks of the Circuit Court for the respective counties, where the charts have been filed or directed to be filed as hereinafter provided; the said report to be filed by the clerks of the several counties in a book kept for that purpose. And the said survey and report, when filed, subject to the right of appeal hereafter provided for in this Act, shall be taken in all of the courts of this State as conclusive evidence of the boundaries and limits of all natural oyster beds, bars and rocks, lying within the waters of the county wherein such survey and report are filed, and shall be construed to mean in all of the said courts that there are no natural oyster beds, bars or rocks lying within the waters of the counties wherein such report and survey are filed, other than those embraced in the survey authorized by this Act, and that all areas of the Chesa- peake Bay and its tributaries within the State of Maryland, not shown in the survey to be natural oyster beds, bars or rocks, shall be construed in all the courts of the State to be barren bottoms, and open for disposal by the State for the purpose of private planting or propagation of oysters thereon under the provisions of this Act; provided, that the said survey and report shall not be so construed as to affect in any manner the holdings by citizens of this State in any lot which may have been appro- priated or taken up under the laws of this State prior to the approval of this Act. * * * The law of the State of Maryland, passed March g, 1842, authorizing oftlcers of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey to enter upon the lands within the State limits for the purposes of the Survey, is as follows: An Act Concerning the Survey of the Coast of Maryland. Section i . Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland, That it shall and may be lawful for any person or persons employed under and by virtue of an act of the Congress of the United States, * * * at any time hereafter to enter upon lands within this State for the purpose of exploring, surveying, triangulating, or levelling, or doing any other matter or thing which may be necessary to effect the objects of said act, and to erect any works, stations, buildings, or appendages requisite for that purpose, doing no unnecessary injury to private or other property. Sec. 2." And be it enacted, That in case the person or persons employed under the act of Congress aforesaid, can not agree with the owners or possessors of the land so entered upon and used as to the amount of damage done thereto by reason of the removal of fences, cutting of trees or injury to the <• Under the rulings of the Comptroller of the Treasiu-y no damages can be collected except through the United States Court of Claims unless an agreement has been made in advance. 52 Survey of Oyster Bars^ Wicomico County^ Md. crop or crops growing on the same, it shall and may be lawful for the said parties or either of them to apply to the chief justice for the time being or one of the associate judges of the judicial district in which such land may be situated, who shall thereupon appoint three disinterested and judicious free- holders, residents of the same judicial district, to proceed with as much despatch as possible to the examination of the matter in question, and the faithful assessment of the damages sustained by the owners or possessors aforesaid, and the said freeholders or a majority of them, having first taken and subscribed an oath or affirmation before the chief or associate justice aforesaid or other person duly authorized to administer the same, that they will well and truly examine and assess as aforesaid, and having given five days' notice to both parties of the time of their meeting, shall proceed to the spot, and then and there upon their own view and if required, upon the evidence of witnesses, (to be by them sworn or affirmed and examined) shall assess the said damages, and shall afterward make report thereof and of their proceedings in writing under their hands and seals and file the same within five days thereafter in the office of the clerk of the county in which the land aforesaid is situated, subject to an appeal by either party to the county court of the said county within ten days after filing as aforesaid, and the said report so made as aforesaid, if no appeal as aforesaid be taken, shall be held to be final and conclusive as between the said parties, and the amount so assessed and reported shall be paid to the said owners or possessors of the land so damaged within twenty days after the filing of said report, and the said chief or associate justice as aforesaid, shall have authority to tax and allow upon the filing of said report, such costs, fees and expenses to the said freeholders for the performance of their duty as he shall think equitable and just, which allowance shall be paid by the person or persons employed under the act of congress aforesaid, within the time last above limited, but if an appeal as aforesaid be taken, the case shall be set down for hearing at the first term of county court aforesaid, ensuing upon and after appeal, and it shall be lawful for either party immediately after the entry of such appeal, to take out summons for such witnesses as may be necessary to be examined upon the hearing aforesaid, and the said court shall have power in its discretion to award costs against which ever the final judgment shall be entered, and such appeal at the option of either party may and shall be heard before and the damage assessed by a jury of twelve men to be taken from the regular panel and elected as in other cases. Sec. 3. And be it enacted, That if any person or persons shall wilfully injure or deface or remove any signal, monument or building or any appendage thereto, erected, used or constructed under and by virtue of the act of congress aforesaid, such person or persons so offending shall severally forfeit and pay the sum of fifty dollars with costs of suit to be sued for and recovered by any person who shall first prosecute the same before any justice of the peace of the county where the person so offending may reside, and shall also be liable to pay the amount of damages thereby sustained, to be recovered with costs of suit in an action on the case, in the name and for the use of the llnited States of America, in any court of competent jurisdiction. Appendix B.— THE HAMAN OYSTER CULTURE LAW. [Exuract from First Report of Shell Fish Commission.] OBJECT. "The legislature in placing chapter 711 of the acts of 1906, better known as the Haman Oyster Culture Law, upon the statute books of Maryland had a twofold object in view: 1. To encourage an industry in oyster culture upon the barren bottoms beneath the tidewaters of the State. 2. To prevent the leasing of natural oyster bars for the purpose of oyster culture." "To make the leasing of barren bottoms possible and the leasing of natural bars impossible, pro- vision was made for a survey of the natural bars for the purpose of accurately locating and marking the same. It was definitely provided that no barren bottoms should be leased in any part of the State until the natural bars of that region had been surveyed, charted, and marked with buoys." Sni'c'cv of Ovslcr Bars^ Wicomico Couiily^ Md. 53 NATURAL BAR NOT DEFINED. "The Shell Fish Commission is instructed by section 90 of the Haman Oyster Culture Law to exercise its judgment hberally in favor of the natural bars when surveying, charting and buoying them, but other than this the Commission is uninstructed in this important matter. The responsibility of defining a natural bar is placed upon the Commission." DEFINITION OF A NATURAL OYSTER BAK. DIVERSITY OF OPINION. " No definition of a natural oyster bar could be formulated by any man or body of men which would meet with the approval of all parties concerned. Oystermen, as a rule, hold that all bottoms where oysters grow or have grown naturally even though now practically barren of oysters should be considered natural bars. Other citizens of the State who are not directly interested in the oyster business, but interested in the oyster industry from the standpoint of revenue, hold, as a rule, that no bottoms should be excluded from leasing for oyster culture which, by methods known to oyster culturists, may be made to yield a greater number of oysters than they now produce." "It should be evident to every one that neither of these definitions could be adopted by the Com- mission as a working basis for determining which of the grounds surveyed are natural oyster bars." THE GOLDSBOROUGH DEFINITION. "The definition of a natural bar which very nearly approaches a reasonable and satisfactory compromise between the extreme views given above and which has therefore been adopted by the Commission, is that contained in an opinion rendered by Judge Charles F. Goldsborough in the circuit court for Dorchester County in the July term, 1881, in the case of William T. Windsor and George R. Toed, V. Job T. Moore. It is as follows: What then is a natural bar or bed of oysters? It would be a palpable absurdity for the State to attempt to promote the propagation and growth of oysters and to encourage its citizens, by a grant of land, to engage in their culture, if the lands authorized to be taken up were only those upon which oysters do not and can not be made to grow. That there may be lands covered by water in the State where no oysters can be found, but where, if planted, they could be cultivated successfully, may be possible, but, if so, I imagine that their extent must be too limited for them to be of much practical, general advantage for the purposes of such a law as the one under discussion; but there are thousands of acres of hard and shifting sands where oysters not only are not found, but where it would be folly to plant them; and these latter it can not be supposed that the State intended to offer to give away, for the simple reason that the State could not help knowing that nobody would have them. Upon the other hand there are large and numerous tracts where oysters of natural growth may be found in moderate numbers, but not in quantities sufficient to make it profitable to catch them, and yet where oysters may be successfully planted and propagated. In my opinion these can not be called natural bars or beds of oysters, within the meaning of the Act of Assembly, and it is just such lands as these that the State meant to allow to be taken up under the provisions of the above-mentioned section of the Act. But there is still another class of lands where oysters grow naturally and in large quantities and to which the public are now and have been for many years in the habit of resorting with a view to earning a livelihood by catching this natural growth, and here, I think, is the true test of the whole question. Land can not be said to be a natural oyster bar or bed merely because oysters are scattered here and there upon it, and because if planted they will readily live and thrive there; but whenever the natural growth is so thick and abundant that the pubUc resort to it for a livelihood, it is a natural oyster bar or bed and comes within the above-quoted restriction in the law, and cannot be located or appropriated by any individual." Appendix C— STATISTICS OF RESULTS OF THE COMBINED OPERATIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND STATE. For a further understanding of the character of the oyster survey work that is being carried on in Maryland, the following statistical tabulation of the combined results of the various operations of both the Government and vState will be of value. In this connection it should be remembered that 54 Survey of Oyster Bars^ Wicomico Coimty^ Md, these statistics only include the new work required to supplement the large amount of existing data obtained from the archives of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and utilized in the preparation of the charts and technical records. Natural oyster bars surveyed and delineated Acres of natural oyster bars !__' Crab bottoms surveyed and delineated Acres of crab bottoms Clara beds surv-eyed and delineated Acres of clam beds Boundary buoys located and planted Triangula tion landmarks established Miles of shore line covered by triangulation Square miles of water covered by triangulation Miles of examination of shell bottom with chain apparati Oyster investigation stations occupied Number of soundings over shell bottoms Square miles covered by soundings and chain apparatus _ Projections prepared and plotted Leasing charts prepared Oyster charts published Reports published Progress maps published, 220 37S 369 296 440 679 049 17.904 s« i 47 a Total area of natural oyster bars of Connecticut is s.77o acres. 6 Less quantities covered by statistics of more than one coimty. O r COAST AND GEODETIC SlTRVirr PROGRESS MAP WICOMICO COTJTsTTY MARYLAND 3 accomparry report oCwoik of United States Coast and Geodetic Siu-vej m cooperalion. ■with the MaT/lajid Shell Fish Connmssion Landmarks (Coast SLOTiy Trian^ation Stations) Waters contiguous to county Waters within territorial hmits of countj^ Limits of projections on file at Washington Limits of charts publisheiH Ijy Coast and Geodetic Survey