Great Surrey Reach

The Great Surrey Reach is the primary maritime artery connecting the Brams River to the Gulf of Inespell. This deep-water channel forms the northern fork of the river’s delta, separating Surrey-on-the-Brams and Surrey’s Ear from the Seneran mainland.

Maritime Significance

The Reach serves as the main shipping channel for international trade and naval operations, with depths ranging from 45 to 60 feet at mean low water and a navigable width of nearly half a mile. Where it meets the gulf, the channel widens into a natural deep-water roadstead, offering protected anchorage for large vessels.

Navigation Hazards

Several notable hazards require careful pilotage:

Natural Features

• Dragon’s Teeth: Jagged rocks exposed at low tide near the gulf entrance
• Complex tidal interactions between river current and gulf waters
• Standing waves during ebb tides when strong southwesterly winds oppose the current

Artificial Features

• Ballast Banks: Centuries of accumulated ship’s ballast creating shoals along the northern bank
• Strictly regulated ballast disposal points
• Maintained channels through hazardous waters

Maritime Control

The Reach functions as a transitional zone under Port Surrey-on-the-Brams’ authority, where:

• All vessels must submit to inspection
• Multiple inspection anchorages maintain commercial flow
• Customs officers conduct examinations
• Intelligence agents monitor for treaty violations
• Licensed pilot services guide vessels

Strategic Importance

Military Oversight

• Artillery batteries along both shores
• Anti-ship emplacements with overlapping fields of fire
• Quick-response naval squadrons
• Coastal watch stations
• Deep-water patrol zones

Northern Shore

• Natural deep-water berths
• Ancient Kalassarian stone wharves
• Modern port facilities
• Military installations
• Customs checkpoints

See Also

• Port Surrey-on-the-Brams
• Gulf of Inespell
• Treaty of Turain