The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-08-01
Extract from log book.
"MoRpAY, July 10. 1871.

Ertaei from, log book.
"MOsDAr, July 10, lS4l.
"From 8 to meridian moderate winds from the
north and west, and cloudy At 8 20 wore of shore
observed that the Peacock had beat round broadside
to the breakers and they appeared 10 break over her
Al TO- having repaired the mainsa set H. tackled and
stood In for the Peacock again. At III. 30 the Pea.
cock made signal LAG to warn US not to approach
any nearer hauled by the wind, tackled of shore,
and hove 10; al the same time observed the Pea
cocks mizzsn-mast TO 60 by the board and shortly
after, her main and foremasts also; after that
the jlb-boom. While laying here, | went TO the
mast head TO look IL ! could discover any passage
by which could get into the river but the breakers
extended from shore to shore, without any opening
that could see Before the Peacoek's mast went,
we observed that she lurched very heavy and quick,
and at the time the fore-mast went, she made a
quick and heavy lurch to port A large sea APP
peared 10 break over her at the same time, ll.4l.
She was laying stern TO the NORTH ward and eastward
rolling heavily, and the occasionally breaking
against her bow. She hoisted her ensign, union
up, TO the stump Of the mizzen-masr. Al u she
hauled down the ensign. Latitude 40 ~ 81" N.
"From meridian 10 moderate winds from north
ward and westward and clear, pleasant weather.
Standing of and on, current setting TO the south
ward; at 80 observed clear passage into the river,
TO the south Of the breakers among which the Pea
cock lay. Kept of and stood into it under short
sail. Peacock made signal LAG; hauled our wind TO
beat out Breakers To the south Of u.s. making the
southern side Of the passage stood well over 10 the
northern shore, inside Of the north breaker and made
signal TO the Peacock 372 and 70. Peacock did not
answer them tackled and stood out to sea, following
close around the north breaker, carrying fathoms.
Peacock teegrsphsd No. 4l3s 1898, $40 at $50
outside the reef, standing TO southwark and west
ward"
The position which the Flying Fish was in, when
she made signal TO the Peacock and tackled there is
liule doubt of the south end ofthe north breaker
one-third Of a mile from where the Peacock then
lay, about two and a half miles from Cape Dsap-
pointment, and not within mile, as enormously re-
collected by Mr.. Reynolds; who also states these
breakers to extend than three mules to seward
an error inexcusable in an officer who was engaged
for two months in the survey. This is only referred TO
to show how susceptible Of errors recoections are,
and how they may arise from trusting alone to
memory.
As respects the schooner anehorng where she
then was il would have been the height Of impru-
dence in Capt. Hudson TO have permitted it, and he
very properly and prudently ordered her to the
offng, and notified her commander that he would
send pilot.
The experience ofMr. Knox in this channel, as
expressed in his reports to me, abundantly proves
that Capt. Hudson was correct in his judgment.
The whole story Of my remarks about Captain
Becher is quite fabulous. Mr. Reynolds is not
warranted in asserting that ever made any re-
marks, or addressed any conversation whatever to
him after the first year of the cruise had passed.
With him had little nothing to do, and no inter-
course passed between u.s. except occasional order
about duty.
II is not surprising, that the upright and noble
conduct of Capt Hudson should not be understood
Dy these officers. His conduct the OCCASION Of
the loss of his ship has been passed upon, and APP
proved long since by the nation, and ii Ill becomes
those who served with him to attempt detraction at
this late day.
But to return to the Columbia river. The direc
tons given by Mr.. Knox in his letter are incorrect
and incomplete. They do not correspond, and cannot
be used with the chart; almost certain wreck would
attend any vessel that attempted to cross the bar,
and enter the river, by either channel in bad
weather. In short, his directions do not show his
usual discrimination such subjects, for he has
entirely lost sight of the position Of the greatest dam
gr-viz the end of the north breaker. This, per-
haps, is not to be wondered at, he remarks that
he writes from memory alone, which in such cases
cannot be trusted to even by one deemed so compe-
tent
| cannot close this communication without adj
vertng to the want of knowledge, and attempt to-
ridicule the operations of surveying, in the two
younger officers. Ii is misplaced, and only goes to
prove, and show how little they improved their time
during the four years cruize of the exploring exped-
tion and what value ia to be put their thoughts
recollections, and opinions on such subjects
| have only to add, that my opinion of the en-
trance and harbor of the Columbia river is based
upon what it no,U is from my own observations
not what it may become in future years, when peo-
pied by an enterprisng population, assisted by the
aid of science, and in the possession of all the i'm
provements of the age.
CHARLES WILKES.
w su,NaToN INV al. ISlG