and the tide ranges were slightly below average, we believe the observed 
current vectors of Figure 4 to be a reasonable representation of the 
expectable tidal and nontidal currents in the area. Wind data were 
obtained from the hourly records of the U. S. Weather Bureau Station 
(Figures 6 and 7) at Cape Henry. Wave heights, periods, and approach 
angles were obtained at 4-hour intervals at the end of the 15th Street 
fishing pier (the station on Figure 6 just north of the inlet). Heights 
were estimated by an observer, in water depths estimated at 3.0 m (or 
about 10 feet). 
Surface currents appear to be roughly reversing on the flood and 
rotary on the ebb at the northern and southern Roberts Meter stations, 
while they are reversing at the middle station (Figure 4). Mid-depth and 
bottom currents are generally reversing (Figure 4) for both flood and ebb 
currents. 
Current drogues consisting of weighted plywood crosses attached to 
buoyed and flagged spars were released at slack before ebb and traced on 
31 July and 1 August (Figure 6). Accurate positioning was accomplished 
by means of transit fixes from three shore stations in radio communication 
with each other. Drogue movements at the three depths indicated on Figure 
6 corresponded well with current tendencies indicated by the Cape Henry 
Roberts Meters when the drogues were in their immediate vicinity. A 
clockwise, ellipsoidal movement of the drogue at 6.1 m on 31 July (Figure 
6) is of interest. The excursion of this drogue over the ebb tidal flow 
approximates that predicted by theory (Haight, 1942, p. 7). 
A number of plastic, umbrella-shaped, very slightly negatively-buoyant 
bottom drifters (Woodhead-Bumpus Sea Bed Drifters) were released at slack 
water before ebb on 31 July at the point shown on Figure 7 (Release Point). 
Recovery of 80 percent of the drifters was made a few hours later at 21st 
Street (Figure 7) some 5 km south of the release point. Four bottom 
drifters also were released on 1 August at 0800 (Figure 7) at a time 
indicated in tide tables as that of slack water before flood. A flood 
current never developed and one of the drifters was recovered the next 
day (Figure 7) some 3.7 km (2 mi.) south of its release point. 
Longshore Currents. Detailed studies of the velocities and 
directions of these currents were made at five stations (Figure 6) on 
four successive days, in conjunction with the Roberts meter observations. 
The timed movement of fluorescein dye patches within the breaker zone was 
used to measure longshore current drift. Measurements were hampered at 
times by the narrowness of the breaker zone, low breaker heights (Hp, Fig. 
and the consequently weak current flow. Dye patches at times spread un- 
avoidably into the water just seaward of the breaker zone. Water movement 
thus traced was possibly the movement induced by winds or by the prevailing 
6), 
