From The Top 



Dear Readers: 



Welcome to the new Coastwatch. We hope you'll enjoy 

 reading our expanded magazine as much as we enjoyed 

 researching and writing it. 



We chose as our initial topic: New Hanover County and the 

 lower Cape Fear River. 



In my story, I'll introduce you to New Hanover County's 

 largest city — Wilmington. I interviewed city leaders and 

 economists to get an idea how the completion of Interstate 40 had 

 impacted the port city and what role the four-lane would play in 

 Wilmington's future. 



C.R. Edgerton walked the boardwalk at Carolina Beach and 

 sifted the renourished sands of Wrightsville to contrast New 

 Hanover's blue-collar and white-collar beaches. Edgerton also 

 toured uninhabited Masonboro Island, one of the state's estua- 

 rine sanctuaries. You'll relive the visit. 



Carla Burgess poured over books, strolled through a grave- 

 yard and took a chair at Pollock's Shoeshine to get an insight into 

 the region's history. She'll tell you what she learned in three 

 stories about the port city's past. 



Then we'll introduce you to our new sections: Field Notes, 

 Marine Advice, Sound to Sea, Young Mariners, Back Talk, Aft 

 Deck and The Bookstore. Some of these sections also have a New 

 Hanover angle. 



We hope you like our first effort. This copy is free. But if you 

 want to continue receiving our magazine, you must pay an 

 annual subscription fee of $12. You will be receiving subscription 

 information in the mail in a few days. Just return your form and 

 your check, and we'll make sure you continue to receive our 

 magazine. 



Hope to see you next month. 

 Kathy Hart 



In This Issue 



Wilmington: A Brighter Future 



at the End of the Road 2 



Sister Beaches Have Little in Common 6 



Masonboro Island: An Unspoiled Gem 8 



Young Mariners 



Mole Crabs: Can You Dig 'em? 14 



From Sound To Sea 



The Plant With an Unusual Appetite 15 



Marine Advice 



Relief For Ailing Shores 16 



Field Notes 



A Helping Hand for Nesting Waterbirds ... .1 7 



Tracing Cape Fear Legend and Lore . 



A County's Claim to Fame 



Swapping Stories of Old Wilmington 



10 

 11 

 12 



The Aft Deck . . 



Back Talk 



The Book Store 



18 

 20 

 21 



i 



