off a mile from the shore and falleth dry at low-water is steep too having ten fathom close to it To avoid this come no nearer it than eight fathom Thwart Marks of Shooberry Ness The thwart Marks of it Is to bring two high Trees a little open to the West of Shooberry-steeple which is a spire Steeple To go clear of Shooberry-flat Longst Marks keep the high Land of Lee open of the Land on the North-east of it and that will go in the best of the Channel Black-Tayl This is a part of the foresaid great Flat and lyeth below Shooberry-ness E.N.E. about four miles being steep too and having six seven and eight fathom above and below it but you must come no nearer it than 8 fathom The Warp The Warp is a shoal that lyeth in the Fair-way coming out of the Swin up the River beginning near to the Buoy of Oaze-edge and tayleth up as high as the Middle-ground of Lee upon it there is but four fathom at low-water On the North side there is eight and ten fathom and on the South side ten and eleven fathom This Sand is noted in the Draught with the letter f. The Shooe and Beacon The Shooe is also a part of the forementioned great Flat being very steep too The course from the Black-tayl to the Shooe and Beacon is North-east half easterly about four or five miles You must not come nearer the Beacon then nine or ten fathom and you may stand over towards the Mouse in ten fathom and so nearer From this Beacon to the Buoy of the Oaze-edge the course is South-west by South distant about four miles Between this Beacon and the Whitaker you may come in six fathom on the North-side and on the South-side near the Mouse in ten fathom In the Fair-way is seven eight or nine fathom The Shooe-beacon and Buoy of the Red-sand do bear North and South nearest one of the other betwixt five and six miles Middle-Ground and Buoy This Sand lyeth between Buxey-sand and the East-Barrows being about five miles in length and lyeth near North-east and South-west upon the South-west end is placed a Buoy which bears from the Shooe-beacon North-east by North two degrees easterly about five miles you may sayl from the Shooe being below it by your Lead towards the Whitaker in 6 6 fathom and a half and 7 and a half and on the Barrow side in 8 fathom and in the Fair-way is 9 or 10 fathom the Buoy at low-water lyeth in 18 foot And on this Sand at low-water is 4 5 and 6 foot water The Middle-Middle-Ground This is a small Shoal that lyeth W.N.W. half a mile from the Buoy of the Middle-ground and extends it self a little below the Whitaker-beacon on this Sand there is no more then 14 foot at low-water To avoid it you must keep within two Cables length of the Buoy of the Middle-ground At the North end of this shoal there is 5 or 6 fathom water This is noted in the Draught with the letter g. The Whitaker and Beacon The Whitaker is also a part of the forementioned great Flat and is the North-east Point thereof on which standeth a Beacon from whence runs off a tayl of the foresaid Flat a little to the northward of the Beacon To avoid which come no nearer then seven fathom betwixt this and the S. W. end of the Buxey goeth in a small Channel up towards Foul-ness called North-fletch useful only for small Vessels From Whitaker to the Buoy of the Buxey you may sayl in 6 or 7 fathom and towards the Middle-Ground in 8 fathom in the Fair-way there is 7 fathom and on this tayl there is but two fathom at low-water The Burey and Buoy The Buxey is a Sand that lyeth on the North side of Whitaker and stretcheth it self South-west and North-east falling dry at low-water At the North end thereof lyeth a Buoy betwixt this Buoy and the South-west end of the Gunfleet goeth in a Channel called the Spits where there is but six and seven foot at low-water being a quarter of a mile broad Marks for the Spits The Mark for it is a flat Steeple called great Holland bring it into a small Swamp or Gaul in a red Cliff then doth the Church bear North half westerly then steer in North-west till your water deepen then bear down toward the Naze according to your Wind the neerer the Gunfleet the deeper the Water is as you sayl you shall have 5 6 7 and 8 fathom water The Gunfleet and Buoy The Gunfleet is a long Sand by judgment eight or nine miles and hath in it some small Swatches the South-west end of it and the North-east end is flat and good shoaling but on either side steep in some parts of it more than other You may sayl alongst it on the South side from the South-west end downwards in seven fathom till you come within a large mile of the Buoy come no nearer then nine fathom Here lyeth a Hook E.S.E. off from the Sand a long Cables length A Hook on the South-east side of which goeth a small Swatch quite through the Sand to the North-west which causeth the Tyde to set in there so that when Vessels pass near it if not careful in time it draweth them into the Swatch or upon the Hook to avoid which come no nearer this part of the Sand then ten fathom From this Hook to the North-east end this Sand is very steep too but at the end flat as aforesaid This Sand lyeth North-east and South-west a good part of it dryeth in some parts half a mile and other parts one third of a mile broad and if you stand from this Sand to the Heaps come no nearer them than ten fathom in the middle of the Channel is eight fathom The Buoy of the Gunfleet lyeth from the Naze South-east by East four miles The Heaps The Heaps are several Banks of Sand as it were By some called the Hurdles joyning to the North-east end of the Middle-Ground E.N.E. and W.S.W. on which at low-water is but seven foot and very steep too and runs down about three miles the North-east end thereof doth bear from the Naze South by East half easterly The Channel betwixt them and the Gunfleet is four miles broad in turning up or down come no nearer them then ten fathom Some of these Heaps do dry on Spring-Tydes These are noted in the Draught with the letter b. The Andrews The Andrews is a narrow Point of small stones that lie out from Landguard Point near half a mile and dryeth at low-water On the South-west side of this Spit lyeth several heaps of small stones that also dry at Spring-tydes but when you have the two Light-houses in one sayling so it directeth you free of them and as you sayl out of Harwich to the northwards when you have brought Bawdsey Steeple open of the Land to the South of Bawdsey then are you clear of the Andrews and may
is noted in the Draught with the letter n. Long-Reach This Reach taketh its Name from its Nature being the longest Reach in the River and lyeth E. S. E. and W. N. W. and extendeth it self from Crafford-ness to Greenhith-Town On the North side between Pursleet and Sleepers-hole lyeth a shoal but not dangerous A shoal in the upper part of this Reach there is five fathom and a half at low-water and all down the North Reach there is seven fathom water This Reach is noted in the Draught with the letter o. St. Clements-Reach This Reach lyeth in two parts first from Greenhith to St. Clements and lyeth N. N. E. and S. S. W. and from St. Clements to Grayes it lyeth East and West This Reach is the most dangerous in the whole River being very subject to foul weather by reason of its scituation especially with some Winds as a South-west and North-east wind which doth make very bad weather so that here are more Boats cast away than in all the Reaches in the whole River and by reason of the bad weather that annoys this Reach Fidlers-Reach it is called Fidlers-Reach because any little wind will raise the Waves and make the Boats dance At the lower end of this Reach a little above Grayes-Town Black-shelf lyeth a shoal called Black-shelf whereon Ships sometimes come aground taking no harm but sit upright This Reach is noted in the Draught with the letter p. North-fleet-Hope This Reach leadeth from Grayes-Town down to North-fleet which is on the Kentish-shore and lyeth North-west by North and South-east by South there is about eight fathom water all along this Reach and is bold enough having no danger on any side This Reach is noted in the Draught with the letter q. Gravesend-Reach This Reach lyeth East and West and extendeth it self from North-fleet below the Town of Gravesend to a place called the Piles Piles there is good riding on any part of this Reach The water riseth here three fathom and a half above the Town you will have eight and below six fathom This Reach is noted in the Draught with the letter r. Lilbury-Hope This Reach lyeth North-east by North and South-West by South and extendeth it self from the Piles aforesaid down to Mucking-Creek which is on the North shore and Hope-ness alias Sands-head-Point on the South side Here is in most parts of this Reach five six and seven fathom at low-water Ships may conveniently ride in any part of it This Reach is noted in the Draught with the letter s A Description of the Sands Shoals Buoys Beacons and Sea-Marks on the Coast of England from Thames-Mouth to Flambrough-head Shewing their Bearings and Distances from the most Eminent Places on the Land with the Depths of Water on them as well as in the Channels between them Blyth-Sand THis Sand begins at the lower end of the Hope from Hope-ness alias sands-head-Sands-head-point on the South side and runneth down below Hull-haven it lyeth E. N. E. the lower down the broader there is some distance between the eastermost end and the shore but the westermost end joyneth to the Land Those that turn either going up or down must come no nearer it than five fathom at low-water and seven fathom at high-water On the North side you will have five and six fathom at low-water This Sand is noted in the Draught with the letter a. Hole-Haven-Scarrs Hole-Haven-Scarrs is a dangerous shoal being very hard ground and joyning to the shore a little below Hole-Haven stretching off from the Land about two Cables length being very steep and having ten fathom close by it This and the lower end of Blyth-Sand makes the Channel more narrow than either above or below and causeth the Tyde to run very strong In Spring-Tydes it is dry at low-water This shoal is marked in the Draught with the letter b. The Chapman The Chapman is a shoal that lyeth about two miles below the Scarrs on the North side Chapman head The West end thereof joyns to the shore and is called the Chapman-head it lyeth down nearest from the Scarrs East is near half a mile in length and steep too having nine fathom close to it a good part of the East end thereof appeareth dry at low-water being hard strong and uneven ground having six fathom water close aboard of it The thwart mark for the East end of the Chapman is to bring Hadley Church and Hadley Castle both in one This Sand is noted in the Draught with the letter c. From hence runneth a shoal which reacheth below Canvey-Island High-Sand and is called High-sand Middle-Ground This Middle-Ground is a shoal that lyeth against Lee in the middle of the Channel and at low Tyde there is no more than 11 12 or 13 foot water and on each side about 4 or 4 fathom and a half The South side is the deepest it is about two miles in length and lyeth down East as the River doth Marks of the middle Ground The Mark for this Sand is to bring Lee Church on the East Point of the Marsh which is the East end of Canvey-Island then are you thwart of the shoalest part of it where you have but ten foot at low-water To avoid it you may go on either side thereof This Shelf is noted in the Draught with the letter d. The Nower and Buoy The Nower is a Sand that lyeth from part of the Isle of Grean and runs down nearest East two little miles on the East Point thereof lyeth a Buoy in twelve foot at low-water this Sand is broader in some places than in other by reason of some Swatches that are in it Marks of the Bouy and dries every low-water Minster-Church in the Isle of Sheppy bears South by East from the Buoy of the Nower and Shyrness West half southerly about three miles From the Buoy of the Nower to the Buoy of the Oaze-edge the course is East one quarter southerly near five miles This Sand and Buoy is marked in the Draught with the letter e. The Cant. The Cant is a great Flat that lies on the North side of Sheppy and joyns to the shore and begins a little to the eastward of Shyreness and so runs to the East end of the Island where the West end of the Red-sand and Spaniard joyns to it this shoal lyeth off from Sheppy in some places a mile in others two the more to the East the farther off by means of its joyning with the Red-sand There is no mark for this Sand only the depth of water being four five or six fathom so near the Ship may go the time of Tyde considered But from the lower part of the said Cant begins deep water close to it down to the Spile as 11 12 Spile or 13 fathom and is called Bradgate-hole Shooberry-Ness Shooberry-Ness is part of a great Flat that beginneth below Lee-Town and runneth down the River northerly to the North-east of Whitaker This Ness lyeth right
in length almost two miles this Sand is steep too having on the out-side ten and eleven fathom in the middle of the Channel you will have twenty fathom between it and the New-warp the South end of this Sand lyeth half a mile from the end of the Knowls and the North end almost the same distance from the Knock. New-warp South-east by East five leagues and a half from Winterton-ness lyeth a Sand called New-warp being in length two miles and a half and lyeth in the Sea East and West on it at low-water there is but two fathom without it you will have ten and twelve fathom between it and the Holms five and six fathom but near the Holms ten fathom The Overfalls East from Yarmouth about nine miles lyeth the South end of the Overfalls extending it self to the northwards more than five miles in length but in breadth not considerable This Bank is dangerous because it is very shoal on the East side of it you will have five fathom and even ground but being about two miles distant you will have 20 and 24 fathom Bounses The Bounses is a Sand which lyeth North-east a little northerly from Winterton-ness about five miles and a half being a round Sand whereon there is three fathom at low-water within it you have 16 and 17 fathom but without it 8 12 and 16 fathom it beareth from New-warp North by West a little Westerly about a mile Haseborough-Sand This Sand lyeth from Haseborough North-east by East about six miles and a half and lyeth in the Sea North-west and South-east being in length two miles and a half the South-east end lyeth from Winterton-ness North and West a little westerly nine miles and a half between it and the shore you have 12 and 13 fathom water but on it 3 and 4 fathom The Lemon The Lemon is a Sand that beareth from Haseborough E. N. E. about 8 or 9 leagues when you are near this Sand you cannot see the Land but Haseborough-steeple will bear from you W.S.W. and if you stand that Course one or two glasses at the most you will then have sight of Haseborough-steeple and the Wood that is by it if the weather is any thing clear This Sand lyeth a little more northerly than the Orrey The Orrey The Orrey is a Sand that beareth near East by North half northerly from Haseborough-Church about seven or eight leagues off and is about two miles from the Lemon between which two Sands there is a Channel where you will have about 17 18 and 19 fathom water When you are near this Sand Haseborough-Steeple will bear near West by South half southerly Blackney-Sand This Sand lyeth before Blackney being distant about five miles on the inner side you will have four fathom water and without 4 5 and 6 fathom Pole and Piper The Pole and Piper is a Shoal that lyeth between Blackney and Wells joyning to the shore The Beacons that you sayl by lie alongst by the Piper at the West end whereof goeth in the Channel of Wells Burnham Flats Between Wells and Burnham there lyeth the great Flat called Burnham-Flats a league distant from the shore which at low-water lyeth dry in divers places At high-water you may well go over it The ground on the North side goeth up flat and plain On the South side it is very steep as soon as you are over the shoalest you shall get suddenly deep water and good sandy ground within it is good riding for easterly winds Pearls-Hole In the Latitude of 53 deg 38 min. and to the East of the Meridian of Flamberough-head 20 leagues distant from it E.S.E. two degrees southerly 22 leagues and from the Spornhead East 19 leagues is a great Hole called the Hole of Pearls wherein is 35 and 40 fathom fine brown Sand three Cables length sayling and then 13 fathom New-Bank Four leagues S. E. by East from this Hole you will find a Bank whereon is but 5 and a half 6 and 7 fathom for several casts of the Lead and on either fide 16 fathom The depth of water from Pearls-hole to this Bank is 13 15 14 14 16 10 16 fathom fine brown Sand and small Gravel The Tyde sets on this Bank N. W. and S. E. it being in the Latitude of 53 deg 32 min. Distant from Haseborough-steeple 12 leagues North by East and from Flamborough-head E. S. E. 26 leagues The Soundings here-abouts are uncertain in depth and ground and many Banks there are which we know not of The Sands and Shoals in Lin-Deeps The Sonk THe Sonk is a Sand which is nigh the South end of Burnham-flats and lyeth to the northward of Chappel-land and is dry at low-water you may sayl about it on both sides Dousings The Dousings is a Sand which lyeth on the North-side of Burnham-flats it beareth from Wells North half westerly 21 miles the South-side is steep too where you will have 19 fathom not far from it and on the North side 9 and 10 fathom Inner Dousings This Sand lyeth from St. Edmonds N. W. by North 13 miles and from Skegness N.N.E. 10 miles Dogs-head Dogs-head is a small Sand which lyeth on the North side of Wilgriph about a mile from the shore Boston-Knock Is a Sand which lyeth off the Point of Legerness which falleth dry at low-water between it and the Land there is but two fathom but it floweth thereabout five fathom up and down When Legerness bears W. N. W. from you then go on South-west through between the Knock and a Shoal which shooteth off from the Westward of Legerness until you can get again the depth of six or seven fathom Long-Sand The body of this Sand lyeth against Legerness distant about three miles being without the Point of the Ness you may run through between Boston-Knock and it when the Trees in the Point come a hand-spikes length to the eastward of Legerness then go on Southwest and you may run right into the Deep between Boston-Knock and Long-sand between the Knock and the Point of the Long-sand you will have five fathom being past the Knock you will have eight nine and ten fathom deep A Description of the Sands within the HUMBER Rose THe Rose is a Sand which lyeth before Salt-fleet being a round Sand and is two miles from the shore Riff The Riff is a Shoal which joyneth to the shoar between Sand-hall and Clay-ness and stretcheth it self N. E. by East almost six miles into the Sea the Point whereof lyeth from the Sporn S. E. by South four miles and from the Buoy of the Bull Fast by South four miles Bull. The Bull is a Sand which lyeth almost in the middle of the Channel on the N. E. side whereof lyeth a Buoy which lyeth from the Sporn S. E. half southerly three miles and a half the Buoy lyeth in 7 or 8 fathom water The thwart Mark of the said Buoy is a House upon the West end of the Cliff of Clay-ness and from thence to Grimsby-Road
Marget-sand there is two fathom and on the North-side 7 8 and 9 fathom Marget-Sand The East end of Marget-sand lyeth before Marget and Westgate-bay and up till you are thwart the Reculvers And by reason of some Swatches that are in it it is divided into more names the Searn the Woolpack The East end of this Sand beareth from Marget-Church North half West four miles distance and as it runs up to the westwards so it grows nearer the shore Marks for the East end The Marks for the East end is to bring Marget-steeple and the Mill in one The Depths you have along this Sand as you turn up or down are at the East end and so upward 9 8 7 6 5 fathom On the North side of this Sand a quarter of a mile off lyeth another Sand called the Wedge The Wedg which runs down alongst by it and a Channel of 4 3 2 1 fathom water at the lower end it joyns with the other Sand At the East end the most part of this Sand dries at low-water The Colborn The Colborn is a Shoal that lyeth to the northwards of White-dike and a little to the southwards of Broad-stairs-Peer which sometimes ebbs dry it lies a large half mile off the Shore and there is nine foot water between it and the shore The Mark for a small Ship to avoid it Is to keep the top of St. Peters-steeple open over the Land This Shoal is noted in the Draught with the Letter u. The White-Dike The White-dike is a Shoal that runs off from the shore a large half mile and lies half a mile to the northwards of Ramsgate all the inner part of it dries every Ebb and on the outer part it is two foot at low-water and at sometimes there is but eight or nine foot in the Channel betwixt this and the Querns Inner Channel This Shoal is noted in the Draught with the letter t. The Querns The Querns is a small shoal that lyeth W.N.W. from the Brake The Inner Channel between them both is a Channel for good Ships at high-water it is a mile broad only at the South end there lies a small Middle-ground near to the Brake on which there is but seven foot at low-water The longst Mark for this Middle-ground Longst Mark. Is to bring St. Margets-Church near the South-Fereland a Ships length open to the southwards of Deal-Castle The thwart Mark Thwart Mark Is to bring Winsborough-steeple a Ships length open to the northwards of Sandwich-steeple then are you to the northward of this Middle-ground The leading Mark through this Channel Leading Mark. Is to bring St. Margets-Church in the middle between Wamor and Deal-Castle the Middle-ground excepted for when you come near that you must keep the Church as aforesaid Or you may turn the Church from the middle between Deal and Wamor-Castle If you bring the Church more than half over towards Wamor-Castle you will be near the Brake if not on it The Mark for the North-end of the Querns Is to bring St. Lawrence-steeple a Ships length to the Southward of the Cliff For the South-end Bring the Mill near Ramsgate to the northward of Ramsgate-Peer Depths in this Channel at low-water are two and a half three and a half and four fathom the nearer the Brake the deeper This Sand is noted in the Draught with the letter s The Brake The Brake is a Sand that lyeth to the westwards of the North part of the Goodwin between this and the Goodwin is the Channel for great Ships to pass the North end of it is the narrowest and most steep too and dries most at low-water The Mark for the North end Is to bring St. Lawrence-steeple on the South end of the Cliff to the northward of Ramsgate-Peer This Sand lyeth N.N.E. and S.S.W. The Mark for the South end Is to bring Ash-steeple open a hand-spikes length to the South of Sandwich-steeple then are you clear to the southward of the South end or else the Wind-mill on the Cliff at the S. E. end of the Town of Ramsgate The Depths in this Channel are 7 8 9 10 11 and 12 fathom The Mark to lead through to the northwards of the Cliff of the South-Foreland Point or else Marget-Church on the third Cliff from the Foreland northward to te northward of the Bunt-bead The Goodwin is not so steep too but you may come there in 8 fathom and to the Brake in 6 and 7 fathom according to the time of Tyde This Sand is about two miles long and a quarter of a mile broad The Goodwin The Goodwin is a Sand that lyeth before the Downs and is from the shore in some parts four miles and in some five the southern half lies S.S.W. and N.N.E. rounding towards the South-Foreland the northern part of it lies North and South rounding to the East side and is in most places steep too at the North end there is indifferent good shoaling The Sand by storms and strong Tydes alters every year is very broad and dries a great part of it but most to the North end The Marks for to go clear of the North-sand-head Marks for the North-sand-head Is to bring St. Peters-steeple on Broad-stairs-Peer this Mark will direct you by it in 5 and 6 fathom according to the Tyde and in the Night the Light on the North-Foreland N. W. half West The Mark for the South-sand-head Marks for the South-sand-head Is the steeple of Ring-joul on the Village called Kings-down or the light-Houses on the South-foreland together From this Sand spits out against the Brake a Sand called the Bunt-head Bunthead which is very steep too having 11 sathom close to it The North end lyeth off Broad-stairs about six miles and the South end about 3 miles off the shore If you coming from the West do keep folkston-Folkston-Land open of dover-Dover-Land it will carry you without the South-sand-head The Fatts The Falls is a long narrow Sand that lies South by West from the Galloper about 12 miles it is 15 miles in length and lyeth South by West and North by East The South end lies about 7 miles without the Goodwin-sand and bears from the Light-house on the South-fore-land E. N. E. about 13 miles The North end bears from St. Peters Church on the North-foreland E. N. E. about 16 miles the South end is shoalest where there is but 20 and 21 foot at low-water This end hath a broad round flat Head like the Galloper where the Tyde doth ripple and whelm very much close to it there is 20 fathom some say they have been on it in 15 foot water on the North part of it 4 4 and a half 5 and 5 fathom and a half Whether it alters or not we cannot learn of any the ground is gross Gravel and the Soundings about it are very uneven a mile within and without the North end there is 27 fathom it is steep too on both sides The
fathom water because it is narrow and so the shoaling of the Middle-ground doth continue till you come down as low as the Buoy of the Spits Buoy of the Spits The Channel begins to be broader and if the Wind be so that you must turn be sure to keep hold of the Gunfleet Gunfleet but if the wind be fair that you may lead it run down in the shoaling of the Gunfleet till you bring the Naze N. N. W. and then go thence North-east by East also that it will lead you clear of the Sonk and go still that course till you have brought the Naze-land W. N. W. or West by North. The Sonk doth lie from the Naze North-east and South-west so that if you bring the Naze-land to lie West by North you may be bold to go a more easterly course until you come to 16 or 18 fathom for 14 or 15 fathom will go hard by the Kentish-Knock Note also that you may see the Trees over the Naze when you cannot see the Naze The Kentish-Knock doth lie from the Long-sand-head Kentish-Knock Long-sand-head three or four miles E. S. E. And when you have the aforesaid sixteen fathom then you may judge the naze-Naze-Land to be W. N. W. or West by North then go thence S. S. W. upon an Ebb and upon a flood South or S.S.E. as the Wind is or the weakness of the Tyde so must you work and that will carry you clear with the North-Foreland and if you go about the North-sand-head or about all or the Goodwin then you must keep more easterly and note North-sand-head that the North-sand-head and the Long-sand-head lyeth South and North and the Kentish-Knock lyeth from the North-foreland North by East and South by West there is nothing between Marget-sand and the North-foreland and therefore you need not fear And as I said before to go about the Goodwin run off till you come to 26 or 30 fathom for 18 or 20 fathom goeth near the Sand and so run in this depth until you have brought the Land of Dover open of the South-foreland then you may be bold to hale in with the Foreland there is nothing between the Goodwin and Marget-sand or North-foreland to fear To sayl unto Cowen and Malden-Water When you are at the Buoy of the Spits Spits your course is W. N. W. in 4 or 5 fathom as the Wind serves for the Ebb setteth upon a Shoal that lyeth to the Eastward called the Eagle Eagle and the Tyde of Flood setteth on a Shoal called the Knowl and is to the westward of your going in and you may run down to the southward borrowing in five fathom upon the Main until you bring Banbury-land which is the high Land that lies above Malden a Sayls breadth open with Bradwell-point which Mark will bring you between the Eagle and the Knowl and run with these marks until you bring a steeple that stands on the North-shore open of the red Cliffs end and so run with these marks open and shut North up Marzey-Block-House until you come to Marzey-Block-house and there you may come to an anchor in six or seven fathom water Directions to sayl into Harwich coming from the southwards If you come from the southward keep Harwich-steeple open a good Birth off the Cliff-end and on the North end keep Farberry-Clifts open of the Beach on the East side and so you may go in bearing close by the Beach for fear of the Altar Altar which lies within a Cables length of the Beach and so you may go along clear keeping by the Beach till you come to the Wore-bore-head and then you may steer up with Ipswich-water and anchor with Harwich S. S. W. in five or six fathom water and the higher up the better ground till you bring the Town South of you Other Directions for Harwich coming from the Northwards When you come from the northward and are shot past the Whiting as far as Bawdsey-Cliff keep Orford-Church and Castle open of the Cliff and that will carry you clear of the Andrews and then when you see the Light-houses bring them one into another and get into four or five fathom water or somewhat more towards high-water then run in about by the Point The Channel lyeth in due North but in the midst of the Havens lyeth a sunken Rock called the Altar which you must avoid by sayling on either side by one Shore or the other but along by the East-shore is best being within it you cannot sayl amiss or take hurt except you run against the shore There you may anchor all over where you please before the Town in 4 5 6 or 7 fathom-water or you may go further into the Bight for it is every where clean Other directions to sayl into Harwich The Mark in this Channel to sayl into Harwich is to keep the top of Harwich-steeple half way betwixt the Fire-beacon on Harwich and the North end of the Cliff or the lower Light-house a little open of the North end of Harwich-Cliff and so sayl in N. N. W. keeping those marks so till you come within half a mile of Harwich-Cliff then bear to the North-eastwards so far till you bring the body of the Church open to the northwards of the Cliff then edge toward Land-guard-Fort till you bring both the Light-houses in one then run in with them so till you see your self within the South Point of the Andrews which you shall know by having Bawdsey-Church open and shut on the Land to the Southwards of Bawdsey or if there be any Sea or half-tyde the Andrews is plain to be seen then you must edge near to the Beach where the Fort stands to shun the Altar another Shoal that lyeth directly against the Fort. To sayl out of Harwich In the North-Channel you may sayl out as is before described in the going in till you come without the Fort then bring the two Light-houses into one and so sayl out till you bring the steeple open of the Land to the southward of Bawdsey-Cliff then are you clear of the Andrews and Ridge then steer North-east by East until you bring Harwich-Church on the North side of a black House called the Brew-house which stands a little to the northward of Land-guard-Fort keeping them Marks so standing until you bring Bawdsey-Church open a little to the northward of the North end of Bawdsey-Cliff then are you open of the Sledway Between Alborough and Dunwich half way lyeth a Wood which is high at both ends and the midst low in form of a Saddle this you shall commonly see first when you fall with the Land thereabouts and is the best to know the Coast by for the Land without and to the southwards is very low and shingly ground about two leagues to the southward of Alborough lyeth Orfordness between them both there standeth two Woods which sheweth at a distance like Castles and Towers on Orfordness standeth a flat steeple
and a broad Castle which hath also a thick flat steeple almost in fashion like the steeple of Ranop open above with Holes in it like Bell-holes before Dunwich you may anchor there is good lying in eight or nine fathom water somewhat soft ground Before Alborough is the best Road of all the Coast thereabouts in six or seven fathom To know Bawdsey Oasly and Alterton Churches Bawdsey-Church is the highest and biggest steeple being flat at top as the others are it stands to the southwards of all the rest a mile from the Shore Oasly-Church hath a flat large steeple but is lower than the other two and stands a mile to the northwards of Bawdsey-steeple three quarters of a mile from the Sea Alterton-steeple stands to the northwards of Oasly-Church a mile and a half it is a very high square steeple but much smaller than the other two and stands about a mile from the Sea Some say that Oasly-Church is the northermost of the three and if you keep Alterton-Church the middle of the three open to the northward of Bawdsey-Church a sayls breadth you may run out clear of the West-Rocks To sayl out of the Sledway to the North-Foreland First Bring the North end of Bawdsey-Cliff North-West from you then shall you see a flat steeple right with a Cliff which you must keep on or a little open of the Cliff-end until you bring Beamont-Tree on the naze-Naze-land W. N. W. and then you may steer South-East or South-east by South if the Wind serves having not less water than seven or eight fathom and when you have laid the Netherland to water you may sound for the Kentish-Knock and come no nearer it thau eight or nine fathom as the Wind and Tyde serves and being about the Knock you may go S. S. W. as you see occasion To sayl out at the back-side of the Gunfleet If you will sayl out at the back-side of the Gunfleet being in the Sleds in seven fathom borrow on the West-Rocks in four or five fathom steering S. S. W. or South-west by West but go not to the southwards of five fathoms till you be over the tayl of the Rocks and when you are over the Rocks you shall have 7 or 8 fathom but go not without 8 fathom on the West side and borrow on the Gunfleet in 6 or 7 fathom going S. W. by South or S. W. till you come up to the Spits or as you see occasion To sayl by the Naze to the Northwards From the Eagle to the Naze you may borrow to the shore and the course is N. E. by North or N. N. E. To go by the Naze you must bring Harwich-steeple unto the East part of the Saddle in the Cliff-end be sure you shut not St. Hellen into the Naze before you bring the Steeple into the Saddle and so you may steer with the Steeple until you bring the Dove-house with the Naze or the Naze-end unto a Tree on the lower end of the Hedge-row that is to the southward of the House and being in one then may you have your other marks and steer to the eastward keeping the House and Tree in one and more to the southward of the Hedge-row in the lower end of the Field a stones cast from the Hedge is a lively Tree or great Bush which you may bring into a Tree between two high Trees that are to the southward of the House and these marks you may keep in one steering North-east by North keeping Harwich-steeple open of the East end of the Cliff and then you may bear in with the Harbour but the best water is when the Steeple is on the Hommock between the Beacon and the Cliff and so steer to the northwards as you please To sayl clear of Alborough-Knapes East from Alborough two leagues lyeth Alborough-Knapes which is a Sand that at low-water is not deeper than seven or eight foot you may sound round about it in five fathom but it is not good to come nearer with Sea-winds you may discern it plainly by the breaking of the Sea but with northerly and westerly winds the Sea breaks not at all upon it if it be fair weather he that runneth by it to the northwards with an Ebb shall see it ripple much upon it likewise upon most of the English Banks and indeed not upon the Banks but against them for upon the shoalest of them is alwayes the smoothest water as experience teacheth every where When-as Alborough is West from you and the two Steeples of Orfordness one in the other there you shall find Alborough-Knapes These are sure marks of that Sand. To sayl to the westward of the Whiting-Sand The Whiting is somewhat a small long Sand lying to the southward of Orfordness and the shingly ground to the southward of Alborough lyeth alongst the Reach but the South end lyeth further from Land than the North end there is not above six or seven foot water upon it at low-water Coming from the northward men most commonly sayl to the westward of it that is through between the Land and the Whiting towards the Naze Men may also sayl along to the eastward of it through between the Whiting and the eastermost points of Bawdsey-sand the North end of the Whiting lyeth near the Shore and lyeth from the Steeple of Orfordness S. W. by South it is so exceeding steep and sharp that at one cast you have 9 fathom and the next but five and then you are but a Ships length from it and before you can heave the Lead again you shall be upon it when you sit with the Fore-ship against it you have 5 or 6 fathom at Stern Alongst the inward side it is also every where so steep that you cannot sound it but on the out-side you may run alongst by it in 5 fathom till you come within the Sands When you come from the northwards and will sayl through within the Whiting you must run close alongst by the Shore and South-west about by the Point of the Shingle to the southward of Alborough until you come within the North Point of the Whiting When the Steeples of Orfordness come to the N. W. by North from you then you are right thwart of the North Point of the Whiting being within it go again more southerly viz. S. W. by South towards Barzey-Cliff To run in to the Eastward of the Whiting Bring the Steeple of Bawdsey W. S. W. from you and so sayl in right with it until you come by the Whiting in 5 or 6 fathom and lead it in so by it upon the Lead until you come by Bawdsey or can get deeper water When you come near Bawdsey whether you come in from the northward or southward of the Whiting you must keep somewhat off from the Shore because of a small tayl that shooteth off from the Shore thwart of Bawdsey-Cliff which you must avord with Ships of great draught for there remaineth upon it at low-water no more than two fathom
A Description of the SANDS SHOALS BUOYES BEACONS ROADS CHANNELS AND SEA MARKS ON THE COAST OF ENGLAND From the Southforeland to Flamborough head being furnished with new exact draughts of the sands acording to the said descriptions By John Seller Hydrographer to the Kings most Excelent Majestie And are to be Sold by him at the Hermitage staires in Wapping Englands Famous Discoverers Cap. Davies Sr. Walter Rawleigh Sr. Hugh Willoughby Cap. Smith Sr. Fran Drake Mr. Tho Candish free holder LONDON A DESCRIPTION OF THE Sands Shoals Rocks and Dangers The Bayes Roads Harbours Rivers Ports Buoys Beacons and Sea-Marks c. upon the Coasts of England from the South-Foreland to Flambrough-head Shewing the Courses and Distances from one Place to another The Setting of the Tydes and Currents The Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea With Directions for the bringing a Ship into any Harbour on the said Coasts Being furnished with New and Exact Draughts Charts and Descriptions of every Harbour gathered from the Experience and Practice of divers Able and Expert Navigators of our English Nation Collected Described and Published by JOHN SELLER Hydrographer to the King 's Most Excellent Majesty A short Description of the River of Thames from London-Bridge to the Point of the Hope Shewing the Shelves and Dangers in each Reach The Pool IS that part of the River that lyeth from London-Bridge to Cuckolds-Point and is divided into three parts First From London-Bridge to Wapping-Ness which lyeth West-North-West and East-South-East And about the lower end thereof near to Fountain-stairs A Rock lyeth a Rock on the South side which is dangerous for Ships to come aground upon The second part reacheth from Wapping-Ness to Ratcliff-Check and lyeth N. E. and S. W. The third part reacheth from Ratcliff-Check to Cuckolds-Point and lyeth rounding upon four Points of the Compass from the N. E. to the East These three Reaches are noted in the Draught of the River with the letters a b c. Limehouse-Reach This Reach leadeth from Cuckolds-Point down to Deptford and lyeth North and South on the West side are two Windmills from the southermost of which about half a mile down the River A Shoal is very shoal and flat shoaling from the East side of the River called the Isle of Dogs Isle of Dogs there being not above six foot at low-water This Reach is noted in the Draught with the letter d. Greenwich-Reach This Reach lyeth from Deptford to the lower end of Greenwich and is much winding but about the middle it lyeth East and West At the lower end thereof is a convenient place for Ships to ride Greenwhich-hole called Greenwich-Hole and there is in this Hole about two fathom at low-water There is a Shoal A Shoal at the upper end of this Reach that lyeth off from Sanders-Ness This Reach is noted in the Draught with the letter e. Blackwall-Reach This Reach lyeth from the lower end of Greenwich to Blackwall Town Blackwall This Reach is very good for Ships to ride in any part thereof but especially on the West side which is the best of the Channel from Layness or Blackwall-point which lyeth right against Blackwall from whence runneth off a Shoal which is dry at low-water A Shoal This Reach lyeth North by West and South by East and is noted in the Draught with the letter f. Nel-Hope alias Bugby's-Hole This Reach leadeth down from Layness to Hookness and lyeth N. W. and S. E. It is somewhat shoal off from Hookness wherein is not above two foot at low-water This Reach is noted in the Draught with the letter g. Woolwich-Reach This Reach lyeth down from Bugby's-Hole to the lower end of Woolwich Town East by North and West by South On the North side is Ham-Creek a little to the southward of which lyeth a shoal called Woolwich-shelf Woolwich shelf whereon is not above two foot at low-water it lyeth one third of the Reach over from the Essex-shore In this Reach there is three fathom and a half water but below the Town deeper This Reach is noted in the Draught with the letter h. Gallions-Reach This Reach lyeth from the lower end of Woolwich-Town almost to Barking-Creek and lyeth N. N. E. and S. S. W. On the West side thereof standeth a little House and some Trees called Gallions House and Trees right against them is good riding for Ships and at the lower end of this Reach is a Point called Maggot-Ness This Reach is noted in the Draught with the letter i. Barking-shelf-Reach This Reach lyeth down from Maggot-Ness to Cross-Ness a little above Cross-Ness on the Kentish-shore stood one of the half-way Trees Half-way-Tree and the other opposite to it on the Essex-shore they bear that name because it is reputed to be half-way between London and Gravesend This Reach lyeth somewhat crooked going in with a Bight on the Kentish-side In this Reach is the greatest shoal in the River Barking-shelf called Barking-shelf from whence this Reach taketh its name which lies in the middle of the River Between the Shelf and Barking-Creek there is not above six foot at low-water but the best of the Channel is between the Shelf and the Kentish-shore it is narrow and there is but two fathom and two fathom and a half at low-water This Reach is noted in the Draught with the letter k. Half-way-Tree Reach This Reach extendeth it self down from Cross-Ness to Gillion-Tree Gillion-Tree which stands on a Point of Land on the Kentish-shore almost against Raynham-Ferry it lyeth in two parts the westermost lyeth E. S. E. and W. N. W. and the other part East by South and West by North in this Reach is four fathom and four fathom and a half at low-water In most parts of this Reach off the Point where Gillion-Tree stands lyeth a shoal but not very dangerous there being about eight foot at low-water On the Essex-side lyeth out a Jetty to secure the Bank from the strength of the Tyde which setteth very much on that shore it is called Dagenham-Jetty Degeham-jetty A shelf between which and Cross-Ness on the Kentish-shore lyeth a small Shelf which is sometimes dry at low-water This Reach is exprest in the Draught with the letter l. Erith-Reach This Reach lyeth N. N. W. and S. S. E. and extendeth it self from Reynham down to a Point on the Essex-shore Gold-harbour called Cold-harbour In most part of this Reach there is about four fathom water but right against the Church is the best place for great Ships to come to an anchor because it is somewhat deeper This Reach is noted in the Draught with the letter m. The Rands Is a short Reach extending it self from Cold-barbour to Crafford-ness which lyeth on the West side of Dart-ford-Creek bearing East by North and West by South Right against which Creek lyeth a shoal in the middle of the River called Rand-hill but not dangerous A shoal called Rand-hill This Reach
sayl towards Oazely-Bay Oazeley-Bay The Altar The Altar is a small Ridge that lyeth N. N. W. and S.S.E. right against Landguard-fort the Channel here at low-water is not more than a Cables length broad on the Fort side is five fathom on the Altar is six foot at low-water a Cables length within the Fort is a Cross Ridge on which at low water Cross-Ridge is but fifteen foot it lyeth quite cross the Channel then you must sayl along the Beach on the Fort-side to avoid the great Flat called the Guard Guard that lyeth off from Harwich-Town till you bring open Manning-Tree and a high Tree that stands to the southwards of the Hill Point next above Harwich-Town in Manning-Tree-Water then may you anchor where you please in five six or seven fathom taking care of a long spit of Sand that runs out from Shotley-Point cross to Ipswich-Water Shotley-Point This shoal is noted in the Draught with the letter i. The Ridge The Ridge is a small Bank of great stones and lyeth on the South side of you as you sayl in by the Andrews on which is four or five foot at low-water The Mark to avoid it is to bring the two Light-houses at Harwich in one and if you shut Harwich-Mill in the North end of the Cliff you run right on it if open then you may go clear it lies North-east and South-west and is but narrrow and half a mile in length Noted in the Draught with the letter k. The Rowling-Grounds The Rowling-grounds is the Road where commonly Ships ride being without the Altar and within the Ridge Marks of the Rowling-grounds and thwart the Andrews where is at low-water 4 or 5 fathom The Marks for it are to bring the Wind-mill on the North end of Harwich-Cliff and the Beacon on Bawdsey-Cliff over the North-east Point of the Beach that runs from Landguard-Fort to the northwards The Platters The Platters are several Heaps and Banks of small stones that lie between Landguard-Fort and Woodbridg-Haven Wood-bridge-Haven they lie close to the shore To avoid them come no nearer than four fathom To the northwards near Woodbridge-Haven A shoal lyeth a small Shoal where is but ten foot at low-water To avoid this come no nearer than five fathom off the shore thereabout This Shoal is noted in the Draught with the letter l. West-Rocks The West-Rocks are a great many Heaps and Banks joyned together having several small Swatches amongst them the Ground being of several qualities partly Sand and partly Stones both great and small in several places it dries and in most other parts of it but 2 3 4 5 foot at low-water the ground uneven and is of great extent N. E. and S. W. about 3 miles and lyeth N. W. and S. E. near 5 miles There are several shoals that lie within it on the N. W. side that are accounted parts of it and the Cork-Sand that lyeth on the North side of it there being only a small Swatch of 7 foot water that parts them the S. W. part of this Shoal lyeth a mile and half from the Buoy of the Gunfleet North by East and N. N. E. you must come no nearer to it than 7 or 8 fathom on the South side when you are to the southward Marks of the West-Rocks and against the Body of it then Harwich-Church will be a little nearer to Landguard-Fort than to Harwich-Cliff The Cork The Cork is a Sand that lyeth on the North side of the West-Rocks and doth almost joyn to them there being only a small Swatch of seven foot water betwixt them it dries at low-water and lyeth near three miles from Landguard-Fort and S.E. by East from the out-part of the Andrews The Marks to go clear of it in and out is to bring Harwich-Church on a black Brew-house that stands a little within the Land as is before exprest in the going out of Harwich The Cutler The Cutler is a shoal that lyeth off from the N. E. of Bawdsey-Cliff a small mile on which is but six foot at low-water This Sand lies badly if men be not careful of it because the Tyde of Flood or Ebb sets so right upon it that if a Ship cometh aground it is bad getting off the Tyde binding so directly upon it you may come in four fathom of it in the Fair-way is 5 and 6 fathom it is almost round and very hard ground The Longst mark to keep clear of it Longst a mark is to bring Harwich-Steeple a Sayles breadth open of Felsteed-Cliff The Thwart Mark for it Thwart mark is Bawdsey-steeple on the North end of a thick Wood by the Water side then the Steeple bears off you North-west five degrees West This Sand is noted in the Draught with the letter n. The Middle-Ground The Middle-ground is a Bank that lyeth betwixt Orford-haven and Orford-ness half a mile from the shoar on which at low-water is eighteen foot and between it and the shoar is five and six fathom and lies one third part of the way off to the Whiting-Sand it is about half a mile in length and lyeth along as the shore lyeth between this and the Whiting is 6 and 7 fathom This is noted in the Draught with the letter o. The Onion The Onion is a round Knowl that lies a third part of a mile to the southwards of Orford-ness just within the Stream of it and there is on it at low-water 14 and 15 foot Marks there are none but to observe the Tydes This Shoal is noted in the Draught with the letter p. The Sledway The Sledway is a Channel through which all Ships pass that come within the Sands at Orford-ness and go up or down the Swin The Marks for it are to bring Bawdsey-steeple open a little to the northward of Bawdsey-cliff in two or three Trees and then the Church will bear from you N. N. W. and so you must keep those Marks together and sayl out S. S. E. in the very best of the Channel which directs you clear of the South-ends of the Sands of Orford-Town and of the Cork and West-Rocks to the northward of them and if you bring Bawdsey-steeple on the North end of Bawdsey-Cliff then it will bear from you North by West and brings you very near the West-Rocks and if you bring Bawdsey-steeple N. W. from you it will bring you near the South end of the Shipwash When you sayl out of the Sledway from Bawdsey it bearing N.N.W. from you the depths are 4 5 6 7 8 9 fathoms then steer S. W. by West and W.S.W. according to the Wind and that will bring you near the Buoy of the Gunfleet to direct you up the Swin and when you come to 10 and 11 then hale South up towards the Buoy of the Gunfleet This Sledway is very uneven Ground you shall have 7 8 and 9 fathom and the next throw 4 and 5 fathom The Whiting The Whiting is a Sand that
and anchor a little below the Beacon Stone-Banks These are several small Banks which lie East from the Sporn-head If from the Point of Kelsey you steer South by East until the Point of the Sporn be West half northerly then are you clear of them Borcom Borcom is a Sand which lyeth off Stanningborough about a mile from the shore on the North-side hereof lyeth a Buoy which lyeth from the Sporn West by South half southerly seven miles and from the Buoy of the Bull East by South four miles and a half Sonk in the Humber The Sonk is a Sand that lyeth on the North-side of the River almost as far down as the Sporn if going up on the South-side you bring Pauls-Tower open of the Red-Cliff to the eastward then you are clear or about the Tayl of the Sonk Holms The Holms is a Sand which lyeth about a mile from the shore The East end cometh within the Tayl of the Sonk and on the West end lyeth a Buoy which beareth South a mile and half from Pauls-Church and from the Buoy of the Bull N. W. by West about 13 miles The Banks that lie off in the Sea The Dogger-Bank On the Dogger-Bank the ground is even for ten leagues together on the South-side of it there is 24 24 25 25 25 24 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 fathom fine white Sand and on the North-side it falls off with a flat and deepens by little and little in sayling four leagues North after you have sixteen fathom you will have your water every cast deeper at four leagues you will have twenty fathom fine white Sand the Bank lyeth nearest North-east from the Sporn and runneth near the Juttish-Riff On the South-side a mile from the Bank you will have 20 and 22 fathom fine white and gray Sand you will have 18 17 16 14 11 fathom fine whitish gray Sand and continueth in the depth of 11 fathom on the Dogger-bank for 7 leagues together in the Latitude of 55 deg 9 min. to the Eastwards of Flamborough-head 34 leagues The Soundings on the very Ridge of the Dogger-bank toward the West end are 11 11 12 11 10 and a half 10 and a half 10 and a quarter 10 and a quarter 10 and a half fathom In standing a mile southerly you will deepen from 10 and a quarter to 12 fathom and sayling Westerly you will find shoaler water In sayling 30 leagues East and West the ground is of the same nature For three leagues breadth North or South it is 11 12 10 and a half 11 11 13 14 15 14 fathom then the water grows deeper on either side but more steeper on the North than on the South yet towards the West part of this Bank you will find the South side to deepen more suddenly than to the East end It lyeth nearest S. W. by West and N. E. by East stretching within 16 leagues of Flamborough-head The Soundings on the West end Flamborough-head bearing East by North four degrees northerly distant eight leagues and steering W. S. W. you will have white and brown Sand 20 19 17 16 fathom with small stones of Gravel But further off towards the Dogger-bank 32 30 25 32 27 30 fathom fine brown and gray Sand. About two leagues to the southward of Flamborough-head you will have 10 fathom water small gravel stones and brown Sand. When Hornsey-spire-steeple bears W.S.W. about three leagues and Flamborough-head N. W. by North you may anchor in 17 fathom gravelly ground Flamborough-head lyeth in the Latitude of 54 deg 14 min. In the Latitude of 54 deg 3 min. to the East of the Meridian of Flamborough-head 5 â…“ leagues you will have 25 fathom gray Sand with small stones and pieces of shells The Soundings from 17 18 20 21 23 24 25 fathom fine gray Sand sometimes gravel and sometimes shells Crouch-Bank In the mid-way between Flamborough-head and the Naze lyeth this great Bank North by East and South by West in the Sea being in length 35 leagues the South end hereof is distant from the Dogger-bank five leagues and from Flamborough-head North-east half easterly 39 leagues on the South end of this Bank is 22 in the middle 38 39 and on the North end 28 fathom which beareth from the Naze W. S. W. 39 leagues The White-Bank About twenty leagues North from Friezland lyeth the White-bank being in length 27 leagues and in breadth five leagues being distant from the Dogger-bank 13 leagues lying East by North and West by South in the Sea on the West end is 23 fathom and on the South end 22. The White-Water North-West by West fourteen leagues from the Texel lyeth a Bank called the White-water lying N. E. by East and S. W. by South in the Sea being in length ten leagues on which is 16 fathom the West end being distant from the Well seven leagues where you will have 24 and 25 fathom and between it and the Dogger-bank 27 and 28 fathom The Well-Bank The Soundings of the Well-bank are 15 and 14 fathom brown sand and small gravel between Flamborough-head and it the distance being 20 leagues you will have 25 23 22 21 22 18 fathom near the West side of the Bank you will have 12 14 16 17 13 15 fathom brown Sand with small gravel stones in it red and black and some Casts fine brown Sand and pieces of shells On the South-west part of the Well-bank you will have 13 fathom brown Sand This Well-bank stretcheth far easterly towards the White-sand The depth of Water between both is 15 14 18 17 17 23 17 21 21 23 21 14 fathom brown Sand but no certainty in any ground to know the distance of places from the Land In the Latitude of 53 deg 6 min. Flamborough-head bearing N. W. by West five degrees westerly distant 43 leagues sayling South your depth will be 16 17 21 21 23 21 14. In the Latitude 52 deg 54 min. 20 18 23 19 fathom brown gritty Sand. The Tydes run North by East and South by West Flowing of the Tydes of an indifferent strength it is high-water here on the Change-day of the Moon A Description of the Sands Shoals Buoys Beacons and Sea-Marks upon the Coast of England from the Buoy of the Nower to Dover The Flats THE Flats are so called by reason of their general flatness on which you may sayl 4 or 5 miles and not alter one foot in depth In the course from the Narrow to the Red-sand you may have ten foot water to the eastward in some Holes you have 15 and 16 foot water The Dangers that are in these Flats are discoursed of in their place for he that keeps himself on the Course that leads from the Buoy of the Woolpack to the Buoy of the Red-sand which is N. W. by West a quarter North if he take Tyde according to the draught of his Ship shall not meet with any dangers The Gilman The Gilman is a Shoal that lyeth up from the Buoy of
the Spell W.N.W. about five miles and a quarter of a mile South-east by South from the East end of the Spaniard and falls dry on Spring-tydes He that keepeth in the Course that leadeth from the Buoy of the Woolpack to the Buoy of the Red-sand will not come near it This Shoal is noted in the Draught with the Letter C. The Spaniard The Spaniard is a Sand that takes its beginning from Sheppy-Island and runs down East by North until the Buoy of the Red-sand is N. W. by North from the East end of it a mile and a half distance a good part of this Sand falls dry And he that keeps the West end of St. Nicholas's Wood in the Gore open to the Eastward of the Reculvers-steeple will not come near this Sand. Between this and the Red-sand runs down the first Depths where there is 5 6 7 and 8 fathom the more to the eastward the deeper water The Red-sand and Buoy The Red-sand is very long on the East end whereof lies a Buoy to direct them clear to the North of it into the Channel betwixt this Sand and the Oaze-edge which leads towards London or downward over the Flats the North side of this Sand from the Buoy upwards is steep too but indifferent shoaling This Buoy lies from the Buoy of the Oaze-edge East half North Marks of the Buoy and West half South about 3 or 4 miles The Mark on the Land for this Buoy is to bring the Lands-end S. W. and St. Nicholas's Wood open to the Reculvers or to bring the Reculvers S. E. The eastermost end of this Sand lies out with two Tongues upon the northermost of which is placed a Buoy The Oaze-edge and Buoy The Oaze-edge is a Sand that lies to the northward of the Red-sand and lies E. N. E. and W. S. W. containing about 4 miles in length and half a mile in breadth The Channel betwixt this and the Red-sand is in some parts more and in some less then a mile broad The South side of this Sand is steep too and the deepest part in the Channel is nine and ten fathom At the West end of it lies a Buoy and bears North by East from the Lands-end Mousehole-Church on the N. E. of Sheppy then Mouse-hole Church is open to the eastward of the said Lands-end from this Buoy to the Buoy of the Nower the Course is West a quarter South about five miles The Spile The Spile is a small round Sand and lies almost thwart the Buoy of the Oaze-edge to the southward On the North side of the West-tayl of the Red-sand you have but six foot at low-water and lies very dangerously The Buoy of the Woolpack The Buoy of the Woolpack is the westermost Buoy in the Narrow on the North side of the Channel Marks of this Buoy and lyeth on the West Spit of the Woolpack-sand and bears from Reculvers-steeple North by West then you have two little Hills like two Paps on the upper Land to the southwards just open and shut to the Reculvers-steeple This Buoy is noted in the Draught with the letter x. The Buoy of the Spell The Buoy of the Spell lyeth on the South-side of the Narrow or Channel a little to the eastward of the Buoy of the Woolpack betwixt these Buoys the Channel is a Cables length and a half broad and but nine foot at low-water This Buoy is noted in the Draught with the letterâ—y The Hook The Hook is a Shoal that runneth out from Marget-sand S. E. so far to the southward that it makes the Channel very narrow The thwart Mark for this Sand is to bring Birchington-steeple into a green Dauk or Valley in the Cliff then the Steeple will bear from you S. E. five degrees southerly The longst Mark is to bring St. Peter's Church upon the West end of the Cliff This Shoal is noted in the Draught with the Letter z. The longst Mark to direct you clear of the Hook to the Buoy of the Searn Longst Mark. is to bring St. Peters-steeple over the East side or Clâ—ff of Westgate-bay You must keep them so till you bring Birchington-steeple over the Gaul when you take hold of the Mark to go through Middle-ground at the Cliff-end The Middle-ground is a Shoal that lyeth below the Hoâ—k nearest the shore on which there is but fourteen foot at low-water and on each side four fathom this being a small narrow Ridge lyeth E.N.E. and W.S.W. one third of a mile long Marks to lead clear of it The Marks to keep you clear Is to bring St. Peter's Church over the East-side of the Westgate-bay as aforesaid or to bring the nethermost Tree on the next high Land to the westward of the Reculvers a little open to the southward of the Reculvers this Tree leaneth a little to the southward and is a good Mark for the Hook downwards or from Marget-sand upward This Sand is noted in the Draught with the letter A. The Horse The Horse is a Shoal that lyeth a little above the Hook of Marget-sand on the South-side a little below the Reculver Church on which it is very shoal at low-water The Mark. To avoid this you must keep St. Peter's steeple on the East-side of the Westgate-bay a little upon the Cliff upward to the Buoy of the Searn and so from the Buoy downward This Sand is noted in the Draught with the letter B. The Buoy of the Searn The Buoy of the Searn is the eastermost Buoy that lyeth on the North-side of the Reculvers the Steeple bearing from the Buoy South by West then have you a Wind-mill a little open of the Channel of Reculvers-Church or to bring over a small House that standeth a little to the East end of the Church The Course upwards from this Buoy through the Narrow is W.N.W. The longst Marks on the shore Marks of this Sand. is to bring Birchington-Church right over a Gaul or black Hole in the Western part of the Cliff end This Buoy is noted in the Draught with the letter w. Between the Woolpack and the Pan-sands or the West end of the Wedge and the Pan-sand goes down a Channel of one mile and a half broad A new Channel and runs down E.N.E. At the first entrance below the Wedge and Pan-sands you have five fathom water and so down to the eastward deeper as 6 7 and 8 fathoms but at the North-side of the Woolpack betwixt that and the Pan-sands there is but three and a half and four fathoms at low-water the more to the East the Channel is deeper and broader The Wedge The Wedge is a Sand that lyeth on the North side of Marget-sand being broad at the West end and sharp at the East end resembling its Appellation it lyeth West by North and East by South about six miles in length having at the westermost end between it and Marget-sand three fathom water and so down to the East end until it joyn with
of the Cockle Cockle borrowing upon the Main in 6 5 or 4 fathom until you come thwart of Winterton and that depth will lead you until you come within the Middle-ground that hath not above twelve foot water And when you have brought Winterton Light-houses S. S. W. from you you may steer out N. N. E. until you come to 8 or 9 fathom water and then you may be sure you are without the Ness and may steer alongst the Coast or direct your course as you have the Wind. But if you be in Yarmouth-Road with a Ship that draweth 17 or 18 foot water your best course is to go to the Northward between the Cockle and Scroby Marks of the Channel are as follows You must bring the Southermost round Tower of Yarmouth to bear with the two Southermost Windmills To sayl between the Cockle Scroby and so run until you bring the said Tower open of the Mills the breadth of the Tower and so steer into the Northward with that Mark which will carry you out between the two Sands Also there is another nearer Mark which is therefore better but they come all to one which is The Wind-mill which stands on the North-west part of the Town a little Sayls breadth to the Westward of the North-west Tower of Yarmouth it sheweth like unto a Dove-house this Mark will lead to the Northwards and you shall not have less than six or seven fathom until you come to the Sea-heads which is a Shoal that lyeth thwart between the two Sands on which there is not above four fathom or four fathom and a half at low-water and when the Wind-mills come one upon another then you enter upon the South part of the Shoal which will continue without deepning or shoaling until Winterton-Church and the Light-house be one in the other and then you may presently come into deeper water and may steer away unto the Northward N. W. or N. W. by West or N. W. by North and this course shall carry you clear within the Rock that lyeth E. N. E. and W. S. W. from Winterton on which you shall not find fifteen foot at low-water in some places If you be coming from the Northward and would go into this Channel follow this direction To the North-west of Haseborough you shall see a low flat Church keep that a Sayls breadth off Haseborough-Cliff and steering directly with this Mark will bring you into the Channel before mentioned Yarmouth-Road To bring you into Yarmouth-Road and to know the right Church when it is open and shut of the Cliff of Haseborough is this When Haseborough-Church doth bear N. W. by West from you and steering away S. E. by East will bring you into the Marks and Channel aforesaid and within all the Over-falls that lie short of Wintertonness From Winterton to Haseborough-Point the course is N. W. three leagues From Haseborough to Cromor the Coast lyeth N. W. and West by North and W. N. W. 3 or 4 leagues Directions for sayling from the Buoy of the Nower over the Flats and through the Narrow into the Downs From the Buoy of the Nower to the Buoy of the Oaze-edge the course is East one quarter Northerly and West one quarter Southerly distant about five miles betwixt the Buoy of the Oaze-edge and the Buoy of the Red-sand lyeth a round Shoal called the Spile Spile and bears South from the Buoy of the Oaze-edge on which shoal there is but six foot at low-water the Buoy of the Red-sand bears from the Buoy of the Oaze-edge East half Northerly and West half southerly four miles If the weather be clear you may have a direct longst Mark that will lead you down directly between the Oaze-edge and the Red-sand viz. you will see a round Tree on the Island Grean A mark to go between the Buoys keep that Tree in the Valley between the little Hills that are upon the High-lands next to the Westermost end of the Isle of Grean and this Mark so kept will lead you down The eastermost part of the Red-sand lyeth out with two Tongues Red-sand on the northermost of which is placed the Buoy The Marks for the Buoy of the Red-sand from the Land is to bring the Lands-end of Sheppy S. W. and St. Nicholas-Wood in the Gore open of the Reculvers South-east the Channel goeth in betwixt the Oaze-edge and the Red-sand The depth between them is 10 and 11 fathom From the Buoy of the Red-sand to the Buoys of the Spell and Woolpack the course is N. W. by West one quarter northerly and S. E. by South one quarter southerly over the Flats where you will have at low-water on this course 10 foot and in somes Holes 15 or 16 foot water About a quarter of a mile S. E. by South from the East end of the Spaniard lyeth the Gilman Gilman which falls dry at Spring-tydes but if you keep the aforesaid course you will not come near it The Buoy of the Woolpack is the westermost Buoy in the Narrow Woolpack on the North side of the Channel and lyeth on the West Spit of the Woolpack-sand and bears from the Reculvers-steeple North by West then have you two little Hills like two Paps on the upper Land to the southwards just open and shut of the Reculvers-Steeple The Buoy of the Spell lyeth on the South side of the Channel Spell a little to the Eastward of the Buoy of the Woolpack betwixt these Buoys the Channel is a Cables length and a half broad and but nine foot deep at low-water The Buoy of the Searn is the eastermost Buoy that lyeth on the North side of the Channel Searn the Steeple of the Reculvers bearing from the said Buoy South by West then have you a Wind-mill a little open of the Channel of Reculvers-Church The course upwards from this Buoy through the Narrow is W. N. W. and downwards it is E. S. E. The longst Mark on the shore is to bring Birchington-Church right over a Gaul or black Hole in the Western part of the Cliff-end On the North side of a Channel a little below the Buoy of the Searn Hook of Margaret-Sand shooteth out a Shoal from Margaret-Sand S. E. called the Hook it runneth so far to the southwards that it maketh the Channel very narrow The thwart Marks for this Sand is to bring Birchington-Steeple into a great Dauk or Valley of a Cliff then the Steeple will bear from you South-east five degrees southerly the longst Mark is to bring St. Peters Church upon the West end of the Cliff The longst Mark to carry you clear of the Hook to the Buoy of the Searn is to bring St. Peters-Steeple over the East side or Cliff of Westgate-bay You must keep them so till you bring Birchington-Steeple over the Gaul when you take hold of that Mark to go through a little above the Hook on the South side of the Channel A little below the
Reculvers lyeth off a Shoal called the Horse on which it is very shoal at low-water Horse The Marks to avoid it Is to keep St. Peters-Steeple on the East side of Westgate-bay a little upon the Cliff which Mark you may use either going up or down Between the Hook of Margaret-sand and the Buoy of the Searn is a good Road for Ships to ride in called the Gore Gore which is useful for Ships when they have not wind and weather to carry them over the Flats The Marks for the best Riding Marks for good ancorage Is to bring a Mill in the midst of a Wood near the Sea-side and St. Peters-Church in the midst of Westgate-bay together There is also a Shoal called the Middle-ground at the Cliff end Middle-Ground which lyeth a little blow the Hook near the shore on the South-side on which there is but fourteen foot at low-water and on each side four fathom being a small narrow Ridge and lyeth E. N. E. and W. S. W. in length three quarters of a mile The Mark to keep you clear Is to bring St. Peters-Church over the East side of Westgate-bay or to bring the nethermost Tree on the next high Land to the westward of the Reculvers a little open to the southward This is also a good Mark for the Hook downwards or from Marget-sand upwards Marget-sand lyeth before Marget and Westgate-bay on the North side of the Channel The East end of this Sand beareth from Marget-Church North half westerly The Mark to go clear of the East end Is to bring Marget-steeple and the Wind-mill in one The Depths you have along the Sand as you turn up and down are at the East end and so upward 9 8 7 6 5 fathom the greatest part of this Sand dries at low-water If you be to turn up in the Night between the Main and Marget-sand you shall find Middle-grounds by keeping of your Lead two Middle-grounds upon the innermost Middle-ground you shall have five fathom and a half and to the southwards of it you shall have 6 7 or 8 fathom as the Tyde is high without the inner Middle-ground you shall have 8 9 or 10 fathom and then you shall have 7 or 8 as the Tyde is and without that 9 or 10 fathom and when it comes to shoal again you may be sure it is on the Sand and likewise the shoaling on the Main within the inner Middle-grounds these Middle-grounds do reach up to the Gore and the farther you come to the westwards the shoaler for they tayl unto the Searn and the Dry-sand without it which is called by some men the Girdler The Mark to Ride in Marget-Road The Mark to Ride in Marget-Road Is to bring the Mill and Steeple together as far off the Shoar as you please to anchor The greatest part of Marget-sand dries at low-water from Marget-Town up to the Cliff-end Above Birchington spits off several shoal places that must be taken care of in turning up and down especially at high-water near Marget stand no nearer the shoar than six fathom and from Westgate-bay upward in five fathom The Mark to go clear of all the Spits below Marget-Town that runs off the shore on the North side of Foreland Is to keep the top of Marget-steeple open above the Land and Fairness and Whiteness on the East side of the Foreland The Gore The Gore is a Road where Ships use to ride when they have not wind and weather to sayl over the Flats This Road is to the westward of the Hook of Marget-Sand and to the eastwards of the Buoy of the Searn The Mark for it Marks of the best Riding Is to bring the Mill on the middle of a Wood near the Sea-side and St. Peters-Church in the middle of Westgate-bay Westgate-Bay Westgate bay is a Road where Ships do use to ride by reason there is more water and more drift and better ground for Anchor-hold than is in the Gore The Mark for it Is to bring a Wind-mill on an old House in the middle of the Bay in 7 or 8 fathom water Directions to sayl from Margaret-Road to the North-Foreland and the Marks for both Channels in the Downs From Marget steer down alongst the Shore East and East by North as the Wind is but come no nearer the Shore than in 7 or 8 fathom for the Spit of Fairness lyeth far out Fairness but that depth or keeping of Marget-Church a mans height above the Land will carry you clear of it when you have brought the South-Foreland and the Land of the Downs open then if the Wind be westerly you may steer to the Southwards alongst the Shore in 5 Marks to come into the Downs 6 or 7 fathom as you have the Tyde under you or your draught of water for you shall find divers Banks or Overfalls where you shall suddenly shoal a fathom sometimes more and then deeper again there is one that lyeth in the stream of five fathom and a half at low-water on the which there is not above twenty foot This lyeth something to the northwards of Broad-stairs-Peer and likewise something to the southward of Broad-stairs there lyeth another in the Stream of four fathom and a half at low-water whereon there is not above fourteen foot Also to the southward of that right against a green patch that sheweth on the upper part of the Chalk-Cliff as if it were stained with Green there is another on which there is not above ten foot at low-water these you must be careful to shun if there be any strong Tyde they shew themselves by the wasting of the water as an Overfal doth and where it is smoothest there it is shoalest This Sand is called the Coleburn When you are so far to the southward that you can see the red tyled House of Ramsgate open of the Cliff then you are clear of this Shoal There is another Shoal to the Southwards of this Mark of the Brake which some men call the Querns The thwart Mark for the North-head of the Brake is St. Lawrence-Church which stands above Ramsgate upon the North-Cliff of Ramsgate one sayls breadth and the Querns lyeth N.N.W. from that a good Birth with the said Church two Ships length or more upon the said Cliff so that when you come to have the Church but a Ships length upon the Cliff then if you will come into the Inner-Channel you must sayl into the shore by your Lead if it be thick weather that you cannot see your leading Mark viz. St. Margarets-Church upon the South-Foreland right over a Chalk-pit that sheweth white almost mid-way between Waymor-Castle and Deal-Castle or the said Church two Sayls breadth without Deal-Castle and this Mark will lead you directly through between the Brakes and Querns and so into the Downs Another Mark But if you cannot discern the aforesaid Marks then there is another nearer Mark which is Winsberry-Church and a round Tree not far from the Church which stands up in the Countrey to the South-westwards of Sandwich keep that Church and Tree between the two Southermost Steeples of the Town of Sandwich and this Mark will lead you directly through the Inner-Channel and if so be you be forced to turn through you may stand to the Northwards until you bring the Trees to the middle Church and to the South-eastwards until you bring the Steeple near unto St. Maries-Church which is the eastermost Church of Sandwich and so you may turn between the Brake and Querns The thwart Mark for the North end of the Brake Thwart Mark of the Brake is as aforesaid St. Lawrence Church on the Point of the North-Cliff or a Wood end open and shut of the Cliff next Sandwich For the South end of the Querns bring the Mill near Ramsgate to the Northward of the said Peer Depths in the Channel is two and a half three and a half and four fathom the nearer the Brake the deeper To sayl through the Gulls The Gulls is a Channel that runs between the Goodwin-sand and the Brake and therefore the Marks to bring you through the Downs going to the northwards are these You must keep St. Margets-Church which stands near the South-Foreland on a piece of Wall that is built near the third Cliff to the northward of the South-Foreland Or else to bring the Light-house in the South-Swamp which Marks will carry you through the Gulls and in the Fair-way between the Goodwin and the Brake into 8 9 and 10 fathom water borrow on the Brake in 7 fathom and no nearer the Bunt-head than 10 fathom Bunt been and between the Bunt-head and the North-sand-head in eight fathom FINIS All sorts of Books and Instruments belonging to the Art of Navigation are Made and Sold by John Seller the King's Hydrographer at the sign of the Mariners-Compass at the Hermitage stairs in Wapping A Chart of the Seacoasts of ENGLAND FLANDERS HOLLAND Shewing all the Sands Shoals Rocks and Dangers The Bayes Roads Harbours Buoyes Beacons and Seamarks on the said coasts By John Seller Hydrographer in Ordinary to the King And are to be sold at his Shoppe in Exchange-Alley in Cornhill and at the Hermitage in Wapping London Ornat mo Consult moque Viro D. JOS. WILLIAMSON Equiti Aurato Jn Regni Comitijs Senatori Regiae Majestati ab Archivis status Et Sanctiori Concilio a Secretis Tabulam hanc qualem qualem L. M. D. C. Q Joh Sellerus Jo Clark sculpsit