1916 Map of Back Bay

About this map

The coastal barrier system between the Atlantic and the mainland is the primary focus of this 1916 tactical survey, highlighting the delicate navigation and survival infrastructure of the Currituck Sound region. Coastal safety is anchored by a series of installations including the Little Island Life Saving Sta., False Cape Life Saving Sta., and Wash Woods Life Saving Sta, which stood watch over the shifting shoals. The map records the Virginia North Carolina Boundary Line as it bisects the marshes of Knotts Island and the shallow waters of Back Bay, where soundings reveal a depth varying only from two to six feet.