Hatteras Inlet facts for kids
Hatteras Inlet is a natural waterway in North Carolina. It is found along the Outer Banks, which are long, thin islands off the coast. This inlet separates Hatteras Island from Ocracoke Island. It connects the huge Atlantic Ocean to the Pamlico Sound, a large, shallow body of water behind the islands. Hatteras Inlet is completely located within Hyde County.
How Hatteras Inlet Was Formed
There was an older "Hatteras Inlet" a long time ago. It was located south of where the inlet is today. But that old inlet closed up around the year 1764.
The Hatteras Inlet we know today was created on September 7, 1846. A very strong storm, called a gale, caused it to open. This same powerful storm also opened Oregon Inlet, another important waterway nearby.
Why Hatteras Inlet Became Important
The new inlet at Hatteras quickly became very useful. It gave people living in the Inner Banks, NC a faster and easier way to travel. They could get to and from the Gulf Stream more quickly. It was also easier for ships to enter this inlet from the north compared to Ocracoke Inlet.
Because more ships and people started using the inlet, business grew. This led to the Hatteras Village Post Office being set up in 1858.
During the American Civil War, Hatteras Inlet was important for military actions. The first attack on the North Carolina coast happened here. This event, called the Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries, took place on August 28–29, 1861. The two forts built by the Confederate side to protect the inlet were quickly captured.
Hatteras Inlet Today
Today, Hatteras Inlet is about two miles wide. However, this distance can change every day. This is because of the movement of brackish water, which is a mix of fresh and salt water.
There is no bridge that crosses Hatteras Inlet. Instead, a fleet of eight ferries helps people cross. These ferries are owned by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. They offer a free 60-minute ride all year round. These ferries connect North Carolina State Highway 12 between Hatteras and Ocracoke islands.
