Headquarters
  
 
Eastern Sea Frontier
  
 
90 Church St.
  
 
New York
  
  A16(O-6)(ESF)  
  Serial 965  
 
25 February 1942
  
     
 
From: The Commander, Eastern Sea Frontier.
To: The Chief of Naval Operations,
          (Ship Control Officer).  
     
Subject: Coastwise routings between New York and Key West.
     
Enclosures: (A) Proposed Northbound Routing, Key West to New York.
  (B) Proposed Southbound Routing, New York to Key West.
 
     
          1.                In connection with coastwise routings along the Atlantic Coast, the current directives provide that ships shall proceed along the coast as close as safe navigation permits.  
     
          2.                In order to reduce the possibility of collisions, the Commander of this Frontier has felt that there should be well established north bound and south bound tracks. Furthermore it was felt that Masters of Merchant Vessels would more readily follow the coastwise routings close inshore if they knew that north and south bound vessels were separated by at least two miles.  
     
          3.                With the above in mind, the Routing Officer in the Third Naval District was requested to prepare complete coastwise routings for both north bound and south bound vessels, which are enclosed herewith, and which are approved. You will note that at no point along the entire extent of these routes are the north bound and south bound tracks closer than two miles.  
     
          4.                Please advise if these routings meet with your approval, together with any changes which you may desire made in same. Immediately upon receipt of your action, this Frontier will pass on to all of the Districts of the Frontier, as well as to the Commanders of all Frontiers in the Atlantic, the approved routings, so that routings being issued will be uniform.  
     
    /s/ ADOLPHUS ANDREWS.    
     
     
     
 
 
 
 
     

 

 
THIRD NAVAL DISTRICT
  
 
Office of the Port Director
  
 
17 Battery Place, New York, N.Y.
  
 
 
 
NORTHBOUND COASTWISE ROUTING FROM KEY WEST TO NEW YORK
 
     
  Proceed to pass four miles outside the following lights:  
     
 
  Sand Key Light  
  American Shoal Light  
  Sombrero Light  
  Tennessee Reef Light  
  Alligator Reef Light  
  Molasses Reef Light  
  Carysfort Reef Light  
  Pacific Reef Light  
 
     
  Thence four miles outside Fowey Rocks Light.  
     
  Thence four miles to seaward of Hillsboro Inlet Light.  
     
  Thence four miles outside Lake Worth Inlet Flashing Red Whistle Buoy.  
 
 
 
Thence four miles to seaward of Jupiter Inlet Light.
  
 
 
 
Thence three miles outside St. Lucie Shoal Flashing White Whistle Buoy.
  
 
 
  Thence two miles outside Bethel Shoal Flashing White Whistle Buoy.  
     
  Thence three miles outside buoy marking Southeast Shoal off Cape Canaveral.  
     
  Thence one mile outside Hetzel Shoal Flashing White Whistle Buoy.  
     
  Thence three miles outside Whistle Buoy (No. 2) off Ponce de Leon Inlet.  
     
  Thence four miles to seaward of Flagler Beach Light.  
     
  Thence two miles outside Flashing White Whistle Buoy (No. 2STA) off St. Augustine Inlet.  
     
  Thence close aboard and inside St. John's Lightship.  
     
  Thence two miles outside Flashing White Buoy (No. 2B).  
 
 
  Thence continuing pass two miles outside Flashing White Whistle Buoy (No. 2 S).  
     
  Thence close aboard and inside Savannah Lightship.  
     
     
 
- 1 -
  
     

 

     
 
 
 
Thence continuing pass two miles outside Flashing White Whistle Buoy (No. 4K1).
  
 
 
 
Thence two miles outside Flashing White Whistle Buoy (No. 2C) off entrance to Charleston.
  
 
 
 
Thence continuing proceed two miles outside Flashing White Whistle Buoy (No. 6).
  
 
 
 
Thence pass two miles outside of Hector Flashing Red Bell Buoy (No. 4).
  
 
 
 
Thence continuing proceed following the approximate 9-fathom curve in Long Bay to pass two miles outside Flashing White Whistle Buoy (No.2A), off Frying Pan Shoals.
  
 
 
 
Thence continuing proceed following the approximate 10-fathom curve in Raleigh Bay to pass three miles outside Flashing White Whistle Buoy of Ocracoke Inlet.
  
 
 
  Thence continuing proceed following the approximate 10-fathom curve in Raleigh Bay to pass 1 1/2 miles outside Flashing Red Bell Buoy off Outer Diamond Shoal.  
     
  Thence pass 1 1/2 miles outside Wimble Shoal Flashing White Whistle Buoy.  
     
  Thence pass four miles outside Flashing White Whistle Buoy off Oregon Inlet.  
     
  Thence pass 4 1/2 miles to eastward of Currituck Beach Light.  
     
  Thence pass close aboard and outside Flashing White Whistle Buoy off False Cape.  
     
  Thence pass two miles outside Flashing White Whistle Buoy (No. 2CB), located 8 1/2 miles southeast of Cape Henry Light.  
     
  Thence continuing pass close aboard and inside Chesapeake Lightvessel (replaced by Lighted Whistle Buoy).  
     
  Thence pass four miles to eastward of Parramore Banks Flashing White Whistle Buoy).  
     
 
Thence continuing pass close aboard and inside Winter Quarter Shoal Lightvessel (replaced by Lighted Bell Buoy).
  
     
 
- 2 -
  
     

 

     
     
 
Thence close aboard and inside Five Fathom Bank Lightvessel (replaced by Lighted Bell Buoy.)
  
 
 
 
Thence pass two miles outside Flashing White Whistle Buoy (No. 2FB) east of Five Fathom Bank.
  
 
 
  Thence pass three miles outside Brigatine Shoal Flashing White Whistle Buoy.  
     
  Thence pass two miles inside Barnegat Lightship (replaced by Lighted Whistle Buoy).  
     
  Thence pass four miles to seaward of Manasquan Flashing White Gong Buoy.  
     
  Thence continuing pass three miles to eastward of Shrewsbury Rocks Lighted Bell Buoy.  
     
  Thence proceed to pass three miles to eastward of Scotland Lightvessel (replaced by Lighted Bell Buoy).  
     
  Thence, speaking the Patrol Boat stationed off the seaward end of Ambrose Channel for instructions, proceed to New York, keeping to the starboard side of the Ambrose Channel.  
     
  Run completely darkened at all times, being governed by Article 27, International Rules of the Road.  
     
  Maintain strict radio silence at all times, except in a grave emergency.  
     
  Exercise care to pass through coastal area between forty miles south of Jupiter Inlet Light and 30 miles north of Bethel Shoal during daylight hours.  
     
  Adjust your speed so that you will pass through the vicinity of Diamond Shoal Lightship and Wimble Shoal Whistle Buoy during hours of daylight.  
     
 
Also adjust your speed so as to pass through the coastal area 30 miles north and south of Winter Quarter Shoal Lightship during hours of daylight. If necessary you are permitted to anchor behind the nets in Chesapeake Bay during hours of darkness speaking the Patrol Boat stationed east of Cape Henry for instructions before entering. Before entering Chesapeake Bay pass close aboard Flashing White Whistle Buoy (2CB) and thence to position Cape Henry Light bearing 276 degrees (true) distance 4.1 miles.
  
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
- 3 -
  
     

 

     
     
 
THIRD NAVAL DISTRICT
  
 
Office of the Port Director
  
 
17 Battery Place, New York, N.Y.
  
     
  SOUTHBOUND COASTWISE ROUTING FROM NEW YORK TO KEY WEST  
     
  Upon sailing from New York, proceed keeping to the starboard side of the Ambrose Channel and continuing to Occulting White Whistle buoy of seaward end of channel.  
     
  Thence proceed to pass one mile to eastward of Scotland Lightvessel (replaced by Lighted Bell Buoy).  
     
  Thence continuing pass one mile to eastward of Shrewsbury Rocks Lighted Bell buoy.  
     
  Thence pass two miles to seaward of Manasquan Flashing White Gong buoy.  
     
  Thence pass 2 1/2 miles to seaward of Barnegat Inlet Gas buoy.  
     
  Thence pass one mile to seaward of Brigantine Shoal Flashing White Whistle buoy.  
     
  Thence pass close aboard and outside Flashing White Whistle buoy (No. 2FB) east of Five Fathom Bank.  
     
  Thence two miles inside Five Fathom Bank Lightvessel (replaced by Lighted Bell Buoy).  
     
  Thence continuing pass two miles inside Winter Quarter Shoal Lightvessel (replaced by Lighted Bell buoy).  
     
  Thence continuing pass two miles to eastward of Parramore Banks Flashing White Whistle Buoy.  
     
  Thence continuing pass two miles inside Chesapeake Lightvessel (replaced by Lighted Whistle buoy).  
     
  Thence pass close aboard and outside Flashing White Whistle buoy (No. 2CB), located 8 1/2 miles southeast of Cape Henry Light.  
     
 
  During daylight and clear weather, you are permitted to proceed by the following inshore route:  
     
  From the position one mile to seaward of Brigantine Shoal Flashing White Whistle buoy, proceed  
 
     
 
 
 
- 1 -
  
     

 

     
     
 
  to pass one mile inside Avalon Shoal Flashing Green Gong buoy.  
     
  Thence one mile to seaward of McCrie Shoal Occulting White Whistle buoy.  
     
  Thence 1/2 mile to westward of Fenwick Island Shoal Flashing White Whistle Buoy.  
     
  Thence one mile to eastward of Great Gull Bank Flashing White Whistle buoy.  
     
  Thence 1/2 mile to westward of Flashing White Bell buoy (No. 3) located 7 miles north by east of Winter Quarter Shoal.  
     
  Thence 1/2 mile to eastward of Winter Quarter Shoal Occulting White Whistle buoy (No. 6).  
     
  Thence one mile to eastward of Blackfish Bank Flashing White Whistle buoy.  
     
  Thence 1/2 mile to eastward of Parramore Banks Flashing White Whistle buoy.  
     
  Thence one mile outside Smith Island Shoal Flashing White Whistle buoy.  
     
  Thence close aboard and outside Flashing White Whistle buoy (No. 2CB) located 8 1/2 miles southeast of Cape Henry Light.  
 
     
  Thence pass two miles inside Flashing White Whistle buoy off False Cape.  
     
  Thence pass 2 1/2 miles to eastward of Currituck Beach Light.  
     
  Thence pass close aboard and outside Flashing White Whistle buoy off Oregon Inlet.  
     
  Thence pass 1/2 mile inside Wimble Shoal Flashing White Whistle buoy.  
     
  Thence continuing proceed following the Approximate 8-fathom curve to pass 1/2 mile inside Flashing Red Bell buoy off Outer Diamond Shoal.  
     
 
 
 
- 2 -
  
     

 

     
     
 
Thence continuing proceed following the approximate 8-fathom curve in Raleigh Bay to pass one mile outside Flashing White Bell buoy off Ocracoke Inlet.
 
     
  Thence continuing proceed following the approximate 8-fathom curve in Raleigh Bay to pass three miles inside Cape Lookout Flashing White Whistle buoy (No. 14).  
     
  Thence continuing proceed following the approximate 8-fathom curve in Onslow Bay to pass close aboard and outside Flashing White Whistle buoy (No. 2A) off Frying Pan Shoals.  
     
  Thence continuing proceed following the approximate 7-fathom curve in Onslow Bay to pass close aboard and outside Hector Flashing Red Bell buoy (No. 4).  
     
  Thence continuing proceed close aboard and outside Flashing White Whistle buoy (No. 6).  
     
  Thence close aboard and outside Flashing White Whistle buoy (No. 2C) off entrance to Charleston.  
     
  Thence continuing pass close aboard and outside Flashing White Whistle buoy (No. 4K1).  
     
  Thence close aboard and outside Flashing White Whistle buoy off St. Helena Island.  
     
  Thence close aboard and outside Flashing White Whistle buoy off entrance to Savannah.  
     
  Thence continuing pass close aboard and outside Flashing White Whistle buoy (No. 2S).  
     
  Thence close aboard and outside Flashing White Whistle buoy (No. 2B).  
     
  Thence close aboard and outside Flashing White Whistle Buoy off entrance to St. John's River.  
     
  Thence close aboard and outside Flashing White Whistle buoy (No. 2STA) off St. Augustine Inlet.  
     
  Thence two miles to seaward of Flagler Beach Light.  
     
  Thence one mile outside Whistle buoy (No. 2) off Ponce de Leon Inlet.  
     
  Thence one mile inside Hetzel Shoal Flashing White Whistle buoy.  
     
 
 
 
- 3 -
  
     

 

     
     
 
Thence one mile outside buoy marking Southeast Shoal off Cape Canaveral.
  
     
  Thence close aboard and outside Bethel Shoal Flashing White Whistle buoy.  
     
  Thence one mile outside St. Lucie Shoal Flashing White Whistle buoy.  
     
  Thence two miles to seaward of Jupiter Inlet Light.  
     
  Thence two miles outside Lake Worth Inlet Flashing Red Whistle buoy.  
     
  Thence two miles to seaward of Hillsboro Inlet Light.  
     
  Thence two miles outside Fowey Rocks Light.  
     
  Thence to pass two miles outside the following Lights:  
     
 
  Pacific Reef Light  
  Carysfort Reef Light  
  Molasses Reef Light  
  Alligator Reef Light  
  Tennessee Reef Light  
  Sombrero Key Light  
  American Shoal Light  
  Sand Key Light  
 
     
  At all times when proceeding southbound from the Delaware Capes, you may keep as close inshore as safe navigation permits.  
     
  Run completely darkened at all times, being governed by Article 27, International Rules of the Road.  
     
  Maintain strict radio silence at all times, except in a grave emergency.  
     
 
Adjust your speed so as to pass through the coastal area 30 miles north and south of Winter Quarter Shoal Lightship during hours of daylight.
 
     
  Also adjust your speed so that you will pass through the vicinity of Wimble Shoal Whistle buoy and Diamond Shoal Lightship during hours of daylight. If necessary you are permitted to anchor behind the nets in Chesapeake Bay during hours of darkness speaking the Patrol Boat stationed east of Cape Henry for instructions before entering. Before entering Chesapeake Bay pass close aboard Flashing White Whistle Buoy (2CB) and thence to position Cape Henry Light bearing 276 degrees (true) distance 4.1 miles.  
     
  Exercise care to pass through coastal area between 30 miles north of Bethel Shoal and forty miles south of Jupiter Inlet Light during daylight hours.  
     
 
 
 
- 4 -
  
     

 

 

     
     
 
.Headquarters
  
 
Eastern Sea Frontier
  
 
90 Church St.
  
 
New York
  
  A16(O-6)(ESF)  
  Serial 1019  
 
1 March 1942
  
     
 
From: The Commander, Eastern Sea Frontier.
To: The Commandant, First Naval District.
  The Commandant, Third Naval District.
  The Commandant, Fourth Naval District.
  The Commandant, Fifth Naval District.
  The Commandant, Sixth Naval District.
  The Commandant, Naval Operating Base, Newport.
   
Subject: Control of Shipping.
     
References: (a) ComEastseafron Conf. ltr. file L21-5(ESF), Serial 863, dated 10 Feb. 1942.
  (b) CNO (Shipping Control Officer) conf. ltr. file Op 37-1:dl(SC)L21-5, serial 02237, Doc: 43454, dated 23 Feb. 1942.
     
Enclosures: (A) Copy of reference (a)
  (B) Copy of reference (b)
 
     
          1.                Enclosures (A) and (B) are forwarded herewith for your information and guidance.  
     
          2.                At present, it is understood that each routing officer in each District of this Frontier mails to Chief of Naval Operations a copy of each routing issued, and the Commander of this Frontier is also mailed a copy. In addition, this Frontier is an information addressee of a dispatch sent to Chief of Naval Operations when a vessels sails or arrives.  
     
          3.                In order that this Frontier may be in a position to carry out the directives of paragraph 2 of reference (b), it is essential that it have knowledge of current position of each vessel in its Frontier, as well as the instructions in the routing for conveying diversion to the Master. In order to accomplish this, as well as to assist the Commanders of other Frontiers, it is requested that the following procedure be followed:  
     
 
 
 
- 1 -
  
     

 

     
     
 
1 March 1942
  
  A16(O-6)(ESF)  
  Serial 1019  
 
   
From: The Commander, Eastern Sea Frontier.
To: Addressees.
   
Subject: Control of Shipping
 
     
 
        (a) As soon as a routing is issued by a routing officer in a District in this Frontier, a copy is to be mailed direct to the Commander, Eastern Sea Frontier, 90 Church Street, New York (Registered Mail, Special Delivery). If Air Mail would be advantageous, then it should be used. THere should be indicated on each routing the speed of the vessel. The routing officers should continue to furnish copies of routings to the Chief of Naval Operations (Shipping Control Officer) and to the chief routing officer of each District, and to send despatches of sailings and arrivals, as covered by current directives.
 
        (b) In addition to the above, and in order that the Commanders of the other Frontiers may have information required, each routing officer will mail direct to each other Frontier through which a ship may be routed, copies of the routing instructions, with speed, using air mail (Registered Mail-Special Delivery). This to be in addition to despatches, as covered by present directives.
 
        (c) In order to cover ships routed through the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, the Commandant of the Fifth Naval District is to send a despatch when ship passes Cape Henry North Bound and South Bound, and the Commandant of the Fourth Naval District is to send a despatch when ship passes Cape May North Bound and South Bound, with despatches to necessary information addressees. If ships are held up any length of time in New York, when routed through Long Island Sound, despatches should also be sent. Use teletype, plain English (See Opnav 112016 Feb.)
 
     
          4.                It is requested that the Commanders of the Gulf Sea Frontier, Caribbean Sea Frontier and Panama Sea Frontier (who have been furnished copies of this letter) issue instructions to the routing officers in their respective Frontiers (including routing officer at Trinidad) to send to this Frontier via Air Mail, copies of all  
     
 
 
 
- 2 -
  
     

 

 

     
     
 
1 March 1942
  
  A16(O-6)(ESF)  
  Serial 1019  
 
   
From: The Commander, Eastern Sea Frontier.
To: Addressees.
   
Subject: Control of Shipping
 
     
  routings issued to vessels which are routed through this Frontier, together with speed, time of sailing, etc.  
     
    ADOLPHUS ANDREWS    
     
     
     
     
  Copy to:  
          CNO (Shipping Control Officer)  
          ComGulfseafron, with enclosures (A) and (B)  
          ComCaribseafron, with enclosures (A) and (B)  
          ComPaseafron, with enclosures (A) and (B)  
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
 
     

 

 

     
     
 
.Headquarters
  
 
Eastern Sea Frontier
  
 
90 Church St.
  
 
New York
  
  A16(O-6)(ESF)  
  Serial 1058  
 
March 7, 1942
  
     
 
From: The Commander, Eastern Sea Frontier.
To: The Commandant, First Naval District.
  The Commandant, Third Naval District.
  The Commandant, Fourth Naval District.
  The Commandant, Fifth Naval District.
  The Commandant, Sixth Naval District.
  The Commandant, Naval Operating Base, Newport.
   
Subject: Coastwise routings between New York and Key West.
     
References: (a) ComEastseafron Conf. ltr. A16(O-6) (ESF), serial 965, dated 25 February 1942.
  (b) Opnav conf. despatch 061616 March.
     
Enclosures: (A) Copy of reference (a)
  (B) Copy of Proposed Northbound Routing from Key West to New York.
  (C) Copy of Proposed Southbound Routing from New York to Key West.
 
     
          1.                In reference (a) the Commander, Eastern Sea Frontier forwarded to the Chief of Naval Operations (shipping Control Officer) proposed coastwise routings. By reference (b) they were approved.  
     
          2.                It is requested that these coastwise routings be placed in effect by routing officers immediately. In the interest of safety, it is desired that none of the aids to navigation specified in the proposed routings be omitted. Furthermore, routing officers should include in their routings the secret positions designated by code letters for use when diversions are necessary, as called for by prominent navigational aids along the track.  
     
          3.                Copies of this letter, with enclosures, are being furnished to the Commanders of the other Frontiers of the Atlantic with request that their routing officers be fully informed so that coastwise routings along the Atlantic Coast between New York and Key West will be uniform.  
     
     
    ADOLPHUS ANDREWS    
     
  Copy to:  
          CNO (Shipping Control Officer)  
          ComGulfseafron, with enclosures.  
          ComCaribseafron, with enclosures.  
          ComPaseafron, with enclosures.  
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
 
     

 

 

     
     
 
.Headquarters
  
 
Eastern Sea Frontier
  
 
90 Church St.
  
 
New York
  
  A16(o-6)(ESF)  
  Serial 1087  
 
March 12, 1942
  
     
 
From: The Commander, Eastern Sea Frontier.
To: The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
   
Subject: Routing of merchant vessels off Atlantic Coast.
     
 
          1.                Experience up to the present time indicates that merchant vessels proceeding close to coast by daylight from Cape Hatteras to New York are reasonably free from attack.  
     
          2.                This results from the difficulty of operating submerged in relatively shallow water; from the fact that the area is patrolled by aircraft during daylight; and from the increased efficiency of our surface vessels during hours of daylight.  
     
          3.                Directives have been sent to all District Commandants of the Eastern Sea Frontier to direct merchant ships proceeding along approved routes from Hatteras to New York to move between these points during daylight, anchoring during darkness in Chesapeake and Delaware Bays. This information has been repeated to the Commanders of the Gulf, Caribbean, and Panama Sea Frontiers, indicating the approval of the procedure by the Chief of Naval Operations.  
     
          4.                Sinkings occur from time to time further off the Coast; in general terms, along a line passing through points one hundred twenty to one hundred forty miles off Cape Sable and Cape Fear, or in a lane fifty to sixty miles off the Atlantic Coast of the United States. These sinkings are of vessels of whose movements the Commander, Eastern Sea Frontier has no knowledge until they arrive in port or are attacked, and in many cases are of vessels en route north from the East Coast of South America or the West Indies.  
     
          5.                It is recommended that vessels sailing from South America, the West Indies, and coming up from the southeastward from Africa be directed to so lay their courses as to join the Coastal Sea Lanes (designated by the Commander, Eastern Sea Frontier) at a pont between Cape Canaveral and Cape Hatteras, so timing their arrival in the lanes as to make the run from Cape Hatteras to New York by daylight, anchoring during darkness in Chesapeake and Delaware Bays.  
 
 
     

 

     
     
 
March 12, 1942.
  
     
  A16(O-6)(ESF)  
  Serial No. 1087  
     
 
To: The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
   
Subject: Routing of merchant vessels off Atlantic Coast.
     
 
          6.                Transmission of this document via registered mail is authorized within the continental limits of the United States.  
     
    ADOLPHUS ANDREWS.