NATURAL OYSTER BEDS OF DELAWARE. 23 



FLOGGER BED. 



Flogger bed lies along Joe Flogger Shoal, which separates Blake 

 Channel from the ship channel. As developed by the survey, it is 

 the largest bed in Delaware, having a length of over 3 miles, an average 

 width of about one-third mile, and an area of about 600 acres. Owing 

 to its exposed situation and the depth of water, as well as to the con- 

 tradictory information received as to its approximate location and 

 extent, it was the most troublesome bed encountered by the survey. 

 Lines were run across Joe Flogger Shoal from its extreme southern 

 end, but no indications of shells or oysters were encountered until 

 within about one-half mile of east line. From this point scattering 

 shells were found, but when the bottom was examined with the tongs 

 these were discovered to be more or less submerged in the sand. 



The bed as outlined on the chart was located almost entirely by 

 means of the chain. At its upper end it lies on the eastern or ship- 

 channel side of Joe Flogger Shoal, but about a mile from its upper 

 end it expands to the westward over an area of somewhat deeper 

 water, and thence, to its southern end, continues on the western or 

 Blake Channel side of the shoal. It was at this point of expansion 

 only that oysters were found, in one small patch of very scattering 

 growth and two or three areas of depleted bottom. The results were 

 not of sufficient importance to exhibit in detail on the chart. It is 

 possible that oysters are to be found in limited quantities in some of 

 the deeper water, but the chain readings did not indicate patches of 

 sufficient importance to warrant the expense of making dredgings. 

 It is reported that there are oysters in some of the deep water of the 

 ship channel, but no indications were found in such places as were 

 examined. 



It is understood that Flogger bed has not been dredged for several 

 years, and the survey indicated that while formerly it may have been 

 of importance commensurate with its area, it has become covered with 

 sand throughout practically its whole extent. It may again become 

 productive, but there is no present indication of this probability. 



Oysters were reported around the buoy at the head of Flogger Shoal 

 and at another buoy on the opposite side of Blake Channel, but a care- 

 ful examination, especially in the latter place, failed to disclose them. 



THE BEDS IN SUMMARY. 



The oyster bottoms of Delaware all lie between Woodland Beach 

 and the vicinity of Bowers Beach, covering an area about 21 miles 

 long and with an average width of about 3 miles. South and west of a 

 line running east from the old Mahon River Lighthouse and thence 

 approximately southeasterly along Blake Channel, the bottoms are 

 excluded from the common oyster fishery and a considerable propor- 

 tion of the area is leased to private persons and firms for purposes of 

 oyster culture. 



