Page:Notes on the State of Virginia (1802).djvu/17



NOTICE of its rivers, rivulets, and how far they are navigable?

An inſpection of a map of Virginia, will give a better idea of the geography of its rivers, than any deſcription in writing. Their navigation may be imperfectly noted.

Roanoke, ſo far as it lies within this ſtate, is no where navigable, but for canoes, or light batteaux; and, even for theſe, in ſuch detached parcels as to have prevented the inhabitants from availing themſelves of it at all.

James River, and its waters, afford navigation as follows:

The whole of Elizabeth River, the loweſt of thoſe which run into James, River, is a harbor, and would contain upwards of 300 ſhips. The channel is from 150 to 200 fathoms wide, and at common flood tide, affords 18 feet water to Norfolk. The Strafford, a 60 gun ſhip, went there, lightening herſelf to croſs the bar at Sowell's Point. The Fier Rodrigue, pierced for 64 guns, and carrying 50, went there without lightening. Craney iſland, at the mouth of this river commands its channel tollerably well.

Nanſemond River is navigable to ſleepy hole, for veſſels of 250 tons; to Suffolk, for thoſe of 100 tons; and to Milner's for thoſe of 25.

Pagan creek affords 8 or 10 feet water to Smithfield, which admits veſſels of 20 tons.