BOlSr AVISTA BAY. 535 



The southeastern main portion of Bonavista bay, between Goose- 

 bern^ islands and cape Bonavista, has one principal arm, Clode sound, 

 which trends southwestward 45 miles. Besides this sound there are 

 iiumerous smaller sounds, bays, and intricate channels among the 

 islands of the archipelago inside of Gooseberrj^ islands. 



The entrance of the northwestern portion of Bonavista baj' is 6 

 miles wide, between Shoe point and Gooseberry islands; it then 

 divides into Locker and Cottel reaches. 



Locker reach commences between Fair islands and Brandies rock; 

 it is If miles wide, and its direction is southwestward for a distance 

 of 11 miles on the north side of Deer and Locker Flat islands, when 

 it receives the name of Content reach and continues in the same direc- 

 tion for o miles to the entrance of Freshwater bay. The Brandies 

 and rocks off Deer islands are the only shoals in these reaches. 



Pitt Sound reach is between Deer, Locker Flat, and Pitt Sound 

 islands, and connects Cottel reach with Content reach. 



Approaching Bonavista bay. — The outer points, cape Freels 

 and cape Bona^dsta, are so low that they can not be seen beyond a 

 distance of about 14 miles in clear weather, and it is necessary to give 

 the rocks off Gooseberr}^ islands a berth of 3 miles ; it is also well to 

 make the northwestern shore of Bonavista bay, about Greens Pond 

 and Shoe point, which is comparatively free from shoals, or at night, 

 to make Puffin Island light. 



Ice. — The harbors in Bonavista bay freeze over at intervals l>e- 

 tween January 20 and March 20, and are closed at intervals by ice 

 about a foot in thickness from January 20 to May 15. Field ice 

 appears about February 15 and disappears toward the end of May. 

 Coasters frequent the harbors throughout the year, but foreign vessels 

 only between about May 1 and December 20. 



The shore of Bonavista bay from South bill trends south-south- 

 westward for 14 miles to Shoe point. The area off this shore, within 

 lines drawn 110°. 8^ miles from Middle bill, thence 183°, 5 miles, and 

 thence to Shoe point, is encumbered with shoals, interspersed with low 

 roclvy islets, which make approach to it dangerous, especially during 

 ioggy weather, though in a moderate sea fishermen with local experi- 

 ence feel safe, as almost all the shoals show; but in a heavy swell, 

 when the sea breaks in 7 to 10 fathoms of water, and it is all con- 

 fused, only perfect knowledge and great experience would justify ap- 

 proach to it. 



The chart and plan with the following directions afford sufficient 

 information for the ordinary purposes of navigation, including the 

 navigation of the outer channels between Flowers and Cabot (Stink- 

 ing) islands, and northward, inside Middle and Charge rocks, during 

 moderate weather, such as often prevails in summer when the fishing 

 vessels are proceeding to Labrador. 



