28 THE ISLAND OF NANTUCKET. 



the courteous superintendent of construction of jetty, 

 gives the following valuable information. Believing 

 that every line is of interest, his note is given entire: 



Nantucket, Mass., Oct. 23, 1881. 

 Mr. E. K. Godfrey : 



Sir, — Yours of the 20th inst. was handed me, and in reply 

 I willingly give you the following information in relation to 

 your inquiries ; — 



The harbor of Nantucket should properly be considered as 

 the space included between Brant Point and Hussey's Shoals 

 and the wharves. Of this space there is an area of about 

 one hundred acres of good anchorage, where the ruling depth 

 is from nine to eighteen feet at mean low water. 



To reach this harbor it is necessary to cross the bar, where 

 the least depth is at mean low water, in the principal channel, 

 six feet and four inches. 



Once within the harbor it is as safe during a storm as any 

 along the coast, since it is almost wholly land-locked. 



There is every reason to expect that this jetty or jetties (for 

 if one does not produce the required effect, there will be an- 

 other built) will increase the depth of water on the bar ; and 

 when they are complete, and the result successful, they them- 

 selves will form a roadstead in which a vessel may safely out- 

 ride any ordinary storm. 



It is very probable that when this harbor is used as a port of 

 refuge by many vessels, that a signal station will be established 

 here, and that will necessitate the laying of a cable. The lat- 

 ter operation, if properly managed, can be successfully per- 

 formed. 



Very respectfully, 



Wm. II. Lawtox, Jr. 



Nantucket may never again become a commercial 

 port, but she can be made a refuge in a storm, and 



