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92 Report of the Board of Shell Fish Commissioners. 
Color and Construction. 
Buoys and aids to navigation established by the Govern- 
ment to mark channels and shoals are given a standard color 
by the U. S. Lighthouse Board; the color and shape of these 
buoys are recognized by all mariners navigating Chesapeake 
Bay and its tributaries. In order not to mislead navigators 
or interfere with Government regulations by color of buoys 
established under the direction of the Shell Fish Commission, 
the Commission directed their engineer to take up this mat- 
ter with the Inspector of the Fifth Lighthouse District at 
Baltimore who has direct charge of Aids to Navigation estab- 
lished in Chesapeake Bay. 
Correspondence With Fifth Inspector, 
(Copy.) 
SHELL FISH COMMISSION 
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND 
M. S. F. C. ‘f HOUSEBOAT OYSTER.’’ 
Reck Point, Mp., Nov. 5, 1908. 
Lirur. Comp’r Roperr L. Russe.u, U. S. N., 
Inspector, 5th Light-House District, 
Baltimore, Md. 
Sir:—At the time the Maryland Shell Fish Commission was created (April, 
1906) to survey and mark off the limits of the natural oyster bars under the “Ss 
waters of the State of Maryland, I had verbal authority from Admiral U. Sebree, 
U. S. Ni, then Naval Seeretary of the Light-House Board, to paint such buoys as 
we established, white. This color Admiral Sebree stated would not interfere with 
aids to navigation placed under the Lighthouse Establishment. 
The white buoys we establish to mark the corners of the natural bars are not 
maintained by the Commission longer than six months. At the expiration of the 
oystermen’s right of appeal the buoys are not replaced when carried away. 
The oyster planters when leasing ground from the State are forced to keep up 
and maintain buoys or stakes which mark their corners. In order to establish a 
uniform color for such buoys or stakes that will not, interfere with aids to navi- 
gation, I propose a buoy painted half white and black, horizontally, above the 
water’s surface, and respectfully ask your approval of this color. Most of our 
leasable bottoms are located inshore of the natural oyster bars and the planters’ 
buoys would in most cases be out of the road of navigation. 
Respectfully yours, 
(Signed) SweEpson EARLE, 
Hydrographic Engineer, Md. Shell Fish Com’n. 
