The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-17
Mr.. .Maginn,, ,lal.msnt and opinion.

Mr.. John Magnn, Of the city OF New York, and,
since the year 1923, regular licensed pilot in the
harbor Of that city, now president Of the Associa-
ton Of Pilots in New York, and at present in the
city Of Washington the agent Of the State pilots
in their application to Congress, being requested by
Senator Benton to examine the chart of the mouth
Of the Columbia, in the Library Of Congress, as
made upon surveys and soundings by officers under
Captain Wilkes, and to compare the same with a
chart Of the harbor Of New York, and to give my
opinion Of the comparative merits of the two har'
bors, do hereby state and declare
That have made such comparison accordingly,
and find that the mouth Of the Columbia is the bet
ter harbor, and has manifest advantages over the
harbor Of New York, in all the essential points
which constitute good harbor IL has deeper wa
ter the bar having four and half fathoms, with.
out the addition OF tide which is there said TO be
eight feet, while the New York hsrbor has on the
bar but four ahoms, without the addition Of the tide,
which is six feet. The bar in the Columbia is
half mile across, while that of New York is about
three quarters of mile The channel on the bar,
in the mouth of the Columbia is about six thousand
feet wide at the narrowest, and twelve thousand
feet at the widest and then shoals gradually each
side; while the channel on the bar off Sandy Hook
is but about six hundred feet and shoals rapidly.
The channel across the bar is straight at the Co
lumbia; that of New York is crooked. As soon as
the bar ia crossed in the Columbia channels pre-
sent themselves, one the south, new channel, dis
covered by Captain Wilkes's officers, who made
the soundings, entirely straight, and deep enough
for ships of the line: the other the north, old
channel, being crooked, or rather forming an elbow,
and deep enough for any ships after crossing the
bar. Both these channels are from six to twelve
thousand feet wide or more, and free from shoals;
while the New York channels, after crossing the
bar, are narrow and crooked, and beset with
shoals, which require many changes of courses 10
the ship In accessibility to the the Columbia
is far the best, 1t is Immediately at the sea- and
ships can get out of the into the harbor once
and also get out at once into the high sea- and thus
more easily elude cruisers in time of war. A great
number Of good and safe anchorages are found in
the Columbia soon the ship enters, and room
enough for thousands Of vessels, and deep enough
for ships Of the line.
The bar and banks of the mouth of the Columbia
are all of hard sand and therefore not liable to
shift, and being from rocks are less dangerous
The land on each side of the mouth ofthe Columbia
Is high, and makes marked opening into the sea
and confines all the water of the river to outlet
and, therefore, would seem to be easy of defence
There seem to be no points, islands, bays off the
mouth of the Columbia to shelter enemy's cruisers
while lying In wait TO capture vessels going in,
coming out; while the New York harbor presents
such shelter for an enemy. The winds at the mouth
of the Columbia marked regular and steady,
blowing six months one way, and six months an
other; while the winds at New York are entirely
variable, and cannot be calculated upon by the mari
ner for any time. The mouth Of the Columbia is
free from ice, and also from great heat the temper
allure never falling below the freezing point, non
rising above the summer warmth. The current oil
the river is said to be strong, but cannot that
it offers any serious obstacle. The breakers on
each side of the channel are also represented to he
very great; but with channel so wide, and bar SC
narrow and free from rocks and shoals, these would
be nothing to experienced mariners. Taking the
mouth Of the Columbia as it now is, in state Of
nature, without the aid of pilots, buoys bencons
lighthouses, and steam towboats, deem it a good
harbor: with the aid of these advantages, | would
deem it far better harbor than New York, and
capable of containing unlimited number of ships
In fact have never so large river, with its
water all so well enclosed by bold shores at its
mouth, and making 80 commodious a bay, large
enough to hold any number of ships, and at the
same time small enough to be easily defended, and
where there were more anchoring and sheltering
places for ships and where they could be close up tc
bold shores, and be better under the protection Of
forts and batteries.
JNO. MAGINN.
WAsutycToN CRY Anrl 06 16A6