Congressional Serial Set Volume 226 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1831 Excerpt: ...This depth is evidently intended for the quantity of water on the bar, and not in the sound, where, as in all similar situations, being affected by the same causes, the draft must be less. This opinion is supported by an examination of a map of later date, (1738, ) by Wimble, which, although it gives nine feet on the bar, shows but six feet in the sound; and which, in the course of trade, necessarily limited the vessels engaged in it to that draft. Wimble, also, by his chart of that coast, shows the comparative capacities of the inlets; representing Roanoke as capable only of receiving sloops, whereas ships could enter the Cape Fear and Old Topsail, and brigs into Ocracock. These two authors may be generally depended upon. The information derived from other sources, and anterior to them, is, however, so very vague, in consequence of the Ghanges in the names of the different places--which cannot be identified because of the inaccuracy of the maps of that period--that it is not to be relied on. But already enough has been proved for our purpose: and it is not necessary that we should give examples in return to establish the truth of a more limited draft in the sounds in such cases. For the causes which give to the navigation at Ocracock--the only inlet to whicl it may be assimilated--so limited a depth, will all be present at Roanoke upon the opening of an inlet at that place. The influx of the tide, and its subsistence in the expanse of the sound, in which there are only leeward tides, after having, during its greatest velocity, taken up large quantities of sand, &c., must inevitably give the same general results, governed of course by the minor local causes which belong to each individual situation. The question then presents itself, whether the advantag...