Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1833-01-10
WHOLE NO. 145.
CAPT. WADsWORTH'S REPORT,
cfhe Surrey Of .Na'raganseH Bay
NEWPORT, Or. ~

\ Sr:-I have the honor 10 inform yOn
that have completed the survey of Mar
ragansctt Bay, made agrecably to your
orders of the 10th May last, and chart
is now preparing on large scale, which
! ~ will be forwarded TO the department aa
soon as ii can be finished. A chart, on
ID smaller scale, that will comprise the
whole survey in one sheet, will accom-
pnny this-not finished, however, in all
the details, for want of time, but sufii-
ciently SO for reference, and showing ac-
curately the position oiall the shores, and
the depth of water generally throughout
the bay. The survey having been or
dered with the view to ascertain the
practicability and expediency of estab-
fishing naval depot therein, it has been
carefully made, and those points whioh
appeared TO promise the most suitable To-
cations, have been minutely examined
The positions Of the principal points of
land around the bay have been. deter
mined ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS series of
triangles commencing from measured
base Of about l2 miles, and proved to
be correct by verifying base Of 44l7.6
feet measured at the other part of the
I bay. The form of the shores between
the several points OF triangulation has
! been ascertaned by the chain and COM
pass, and the depth of water is also plac-
ed on the chart by angles measured at
the point Of sounding, or by ranges Of the
different signal stations, and reduced to
the level Of the lowest tides.
The two positions in the bay which ap-
pear to present the greatest natural ad-
vantages for the establishment OF a naval
depot, are the one on the southeast part
of Prudence Island, and the other at the
entrance of Mount Hope Bay, between
the Bristol ferry and Mount Hope
Near both these positions there is most
excellent anchorage, and with sufficient
depth of water for any purposes. Ihe
water is bold in both places, close in with
the shore, so tha, much length Of wharves
would not be required; ond it is believed
that tho land in either place is suitable
for a depot. Charts of both these Sec
tons of the bay are now being prepared
on large scale, which will show the ell
ovation of the land, as well as the depth
of water, and will be accompanied by a
more particular description. Your in
structiCns not appearing to require from
NE any opinion, either as to the practical
bility or expcdicncy OF establishing ma
val depot in Narrag gansctt Bay, | shall
confne myself to Il general description,
prcsuming that, in addition to this, the
chart, particularly the larger one, will
give you all the information required.
The bay is Of easy access; the entrance
sufficiently wide to enable vessels to beat
either in or out, with bold shores, and free
from hidden dangers or shoals. The
course in, is to the northeastern advan-
tagc, on this coast, peculiar to this har-
Dor, and well known and highly appre-
ciatcd by mariners during the prevailing
westerly winds Of winter. After passing
the line of deep water between Fort Ad-
ans and the Dumplns, good aud safe
anchorage may be had on either side,
and in almost every part of the bay: in
deed, the whole bay may be considered
an excellent man of war harbor, with tho
exception of few spots of foul ground,
easy to be avoided, and other places
where the water is too deep for conven-
iepce. The tide generally is not rapid,
and in most parts Of the bay there is work
inc room for vessels OF any class. The
entrace to Mount Hope Bay, however,
is narrow, but quite safe. Ofthe effects
of ice in winter, am unable 10 speak
from my own observations. believe,
however, that it never, or very seldom
fyeezos so far down as the southeast part
ofPrudence Island. The harbor of Brs-
tol, and in the bay above, towards War
rcn and Providence, is generally frozen;
but am informed that they are enabled,
without much difficulty, to keep the chan
mel open at Bristol for the entrace and
departure of vessels during the winter
The passage past the Bristol Ferry to
Mount Hope Bay is, understand, sell
dom closed; and the large body Of ice
in that bay is detained so long by its mar
row entrance, that il becomes too weak,
when it breaks up, TO do injury. learn
that the entrance of vessels from sea to a
safe anchorage, is never obstructed by
ice.
There are three entrances into this bay
from the sea. The principal one is be-
tween Rhode Island and Connanicut, al
ready mentioned. In the Western chun-
mel, between Connanicut and tho Mar
ragansett shore, there is sufficient depth
Of water for any vessel. The channel,
at one point, however, is narrow, and
might be filled up, if ifrequred, so as to
admit only the passage Of vessels OF
light draft Of water. The Eastern chan