



14 



ward and eastward of the beds in greater depths than 15 feet, but exist to the eastward, scattered 

 either in small groups or singly, as far as the channel into the Nansemoud River. Inshore from 

 the m mi beds are a number of small rocks and groups of oysters. From the character of the 

 bottom on the Nansemoud Ridge, it is inferred that there is a deposit of sediment accumulating 

 on those beds, and from which Cruiser's Rock is free. The fact is that the position of the Nascway 

 Shoals is such that they protect the upper portion of the ridge (Cruiser's Rock), while nothing 

 interferes with the lower and middle portions, and the current out of the Nansemond River sup 

 ports the inference. In addition there is a strong tide up along the Nansemond Ridge which 

 would probably cause a deposit of any matter held in suspension. I was informed that these last- 

 named beds were less exposed to the grounding of ice and its subsequent piling than any in the 

 river. Attached to the oysters taken from the Nansemond Ridge was a variety of sponge, red in 

 color, that was subsequently found on the Craney Island Hats, and in large quantities in Tangier 

 and Pocomoke Sounds. It is not often found where there is much mud or sand on the bottom, 

 or where the oysters are scattered singly, and its presence is a good indication of a solid "rock," 

 though its absence is not conclusive as to the non-existence of the same. 



Between the Nansemond River and the channel into the Elizabeth River, and along Craney 

 Island flats, are numerous small beds of unimportant area. They extend from the one-fathom 

 curve out to about 2i fathoms, growing in ridges and groups with wide spaces of mud between 

 them. The oysters found were single and larger than any in the James River. There was also 

 more red and gray sponge clinging to them than had been noticed before. The bottom was gener- 

 ally of mud and shells on the surface with, in the vicinity of the Elizabeth River, a hard stratum 

 of sand and shells underneath, and in the vicinity of the Nansemond a substratum of mud None 

 of the beds are important and are only fished for the local market. The practice of depositing on 

 the Craney Island flats the matter dredged out of the Elizabeth River and Norfolk Harbor is 

 gradually destroying the beds inshore, an I especially those near Craney Island. 



THE FISHERY AND ITS EFFECTS. 



The oysters are removed from the beds in the James River with the tongs alone, no dredging 

 being permitted, and this may accou it to some extent for the beds being made up of patches and 

 ridges of oysters. This formation is only advantageous in so much as it assists the rapidity of 

 the current, and in all other respects it is an evil. Beds such as < 'miser's Rock, Nansemond Ridge, 

 and Point of Shoals, where the oysters in places are too thick, would be much improved by using 

 a light scrape or dredge instead of the tongs in the fishery. If used with moderation, the surface 

 of the bed would be cleaned, its area extended, the animals would be more evenly distributed and 

 allowed more room for development, and the spat, having a la ger and cleaner amount of "cultch" 

 exposed, would probably attach in greater numbers. As, however, without stringent laws, rigidly 

 executed, it would be impossible to keep the dredging within proper limits, and as there is but 

 little prospect of such a thing occurring it is perhaps better, on the whole, that dredging is pro- 

 hibited. The mud surrounding the beds is of too soft a character to permit any great extension of 

 the present area, and thus one of the principal advantages of using the dredge would be lost 

 while all its evils would be retained. Even as it is, the fishery is carried to excess, and all the beds, 

 especially those in the neighborhood of Hampton Roads, are deteriorating. 



TANGIER AND POCOMOKE SOTJNDb*. 



The charts showing the oyster beds and limits of oysters in these sounds have been constructed 

 from the data collected during the progress of the work. 



Only the natural beds are shown on them, and no attempt was made to carry the investigation 

 beyond the sounds, except in the cases of the Manokin and Big Anneinessex Rivers, where the 

 beds were large enough to make their delineation and study advisable. 



The beds have been named from the solid "rocks'' which they surround, and are indicated on 

 the charts by the darker shades. In many cases it was a matter of some difficulty to determine 

 the outlines of the beds proper, on account of their peculiar formation. It would have given an 

 erroneous impression to have considered either the solid unbroken portions as the beds, or to have 



