We have seen
that the coast line of Virginia is largely more than double that of New
York, and the harbors of Virginia are more numerous, deeper, and much
nearer the great valley of the Ohio and Mississippi. By the Coast Survey
tables, the mean low water in the harbor of New York, by Gedney's
Channel, is 20 feet, and at high-water spring tides is 24.2; north
channel, 24, mean low water, and 29.1 spring tides, high water; south
channel, 22, and 27.1; main ship channel, after passing S. W. spit buoy,
on N. E. course, one mile up the bay, for New York, 22.5-27.06. By the
same tables, from capes at entrance of Chesapeake Bay to Hampton, at
mean low water, 30 feet; spring tides, high water, 32.8. Anchorage in
Hampton Roads, 59-61.8. From Hampton Roads to Sewell's Point, 25-27.8.
South of Sewell's Point (one mile and a half), 21-23.8; up to Norfolk,
23-25.8. From Hampton Roads to James River, entering to the northward of
Newport News, middle ground, 22-24.8. From Hampton Roads to James River,
entering to the southward of Newport News, middle ground, 27-29.8. From
abreast the tail of York Spit, up to Yorktown, 33-35.8. Elizabeth River,
between Norfolk and navy yard, 25.5-28.3.
When we leave the tide-water rivers for the interior navigable streams,
Virginia has a vast advantage. New York has no such rivers above tide,
but Virginia has the Ohio for hundreds of miles, with its tributaries,
the Kanawha, Guyandotte, and Big Sandy.
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