316 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
St. Helena Sound separates Edisto Island on the north from St. Helena Island on 
the south and is about 8 miles wide. It is open and exposed to the northeast and 
southerly gales and is considered totally unfit for the cultivation of oysters, not only 
on account of the great density of its waters, but also of the shifting character of its 
bottom. Area of natural oyster beds, about 4.9 acres. 
South Edisto River takes its rise in Edgefield County, drains a large extent of 
country, and reaches the tide-water section of the State charged with mud, entering 
St. Helena Sound at the southwestern point of Edisto Island. Five miles above the 
mouth the water is practically fresh, and no doubt during heavy freshets the fresh 
water point is carried nearer to the sea. Prom this place to the mouth the bottom is 
generally hard, except in the channel, and corresponds in depth and character with 
the Coast Survey soundings. A bed of oysters is found just off the upper mouth of 
Bailey Creek, a part of which is left bare at dead low water, but the bed extends 
into deep water. The oysters are small and have the usual attachment of barnacles. 
From this point raccoon oysters extend down the east shore in patches to the mouth 
of St. Pierre Creek, where they cease. The specific gravity of the water 1 mile above 
the point of Raccoon Island is 1.0000 ; at the point of Raccoon Island, two-thirds flood, 
1.0087; in the west mouth of Bailey Creek, two-thirds flood, 1.0120, and at the mouth 
of St. Pierre Creek and near the mouth of the river, at one-half ebb, it was 1.0141. 
The area of the river from the point of Raccoon Island to its mouth is 1,150 acres; 
area of natural oyster beds, about 6.3 acres. 
St. Pierre Greek . — This narrow winding creek takes its rise in the central part of 
Edisto Island and, with a westward trend, empties into the South Edisto River 1 mile 
above its mouth. It is about 7 miles long, will average about 175 yards in width, and 
has depths ranging from 2 to 20 feet. The bottom is favorable, being hard and sticky 
for the greater part. The density of the water is very uniform in this creek, and 
much less dense than that usually found in the streams near the ocean, for the fresh 
water of the South Edisto is met, diffused, and rebutted by the flood tides, thus tem- 
pering the water. 
The ledges of raccoon oysters are not so numerous as in water of greater density, 
but deep-water beds are found in several places in this creek, the largest beginning at 
Peters Point and extends up the creek for half a mile on the south shore, and even out 
to the middle of the stream. This creek has furnished more seed oysters for the dif- 
ferent planters in the State than any other locality, according to Mr. John Griffin, who 
is the pioneer planter in this region and who kindly accompanied us in the examina- 
tion of these creeks. I am much indebted to him for information received and shall 
have occasion to speak of him again in connection with his planted grounds in Bailey 
Creek. The specific gravity of the water at the mouth of the creek at half ebb 
was 1.0141; 1 mile above the mouth, 1.0138; at Peters Point, 1.0138; at the eastern 
mouth of Bailey Creek, 1.0130; and at the mouth of Store Creek, which is a contiuu 
ation of St. Pierre Creek, 1.0120. The total area of the creek and its tributaries is 
about 750 acres; area of natural oyster beds, about 42 acres. 
Bailey Greek is a very narrow winding stream which has one outlet at its western 
mouth in the South Edisto 2 miles above the mouth of St. Pierre Creek, and connect- 
ing with the latter, 3£ miles above the mouth, it separates Scanawah Island on the 
north from Bailey Island on the south. It is especially deserving of mention because 
the eastern part, for 2 miles before reaching St. Pierre Creek, contains the planted 
