The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-22
THE COLUMBIA RIVER.
To the Editor Of the Union;

THE COLUMBIA RIVER.
To the Editor Of the Unioa; .. 81 .. ......
SIR; | observed in your paper a statement Of
Commander Wilkes, contradicting the statement !
made at the request Of Senator Benton, in which l
regretted that neither Lieutenants Knox Reynolds
in the city, and yet psnired 10 say that their
information would be precisely tho same in import,
however in other respects more satstaetory. Il
wrote Immediately TO Lieutenants Knox and Rey-
nolds and the enclosed are their replies. You will
oblige me very much by inserting them in your
paper .. ~
~. s. SHlP OSLO, Bosrss, 10. q, Ill ~
"July 8, 1876.
"DrAR BLAIR: Yours ofthe 30th ult. has been
received, enclosing papers, &c, &c. You ask me
for sailing directions for the river. will eDdeayor
70 give them well my memory serves me.
Upon making the river, bring Point Elliee to bear
4. N. E., Tor Mount St. Helens, and stand in unul
you bring Polly's Gap, over the second bluff, out
side Of Cape disappointment; with these two marks,
you should be in six fsthoms water outside the
bar, and in the fair way. Cathlemet Point will then
be shut on the left side Of Mount st. Helens, and
open with Point Ellice, or Young's Point, about
two or three degrees. Stand on Z. N. T., and
when the dead trees on a hammock outside, and on
the shore TO the north Of the cape comes on with
the bluff outside the cape, you will be on the bar IN
five, or a quarter less fathoms. IL you are in the
channel, you will shortly after deepen to six, sew
en-, eight, and nine fahoms; stand in on that course
unul you open the white cliff clear Of the cape,
when haul up at once for it, course north by com
pass;) and stand in for the cape, Should the wind
be from the N. W., and scant, tack when you open
Green Point; stand 10 the westward until you close
in the white cliff, when tack again, work in this
way until you lose sight Of all the outer cliffs TO
westward OF the cape, and you will then be past the
northwest corner Of the Middle Sands. You may
then keep off little, and reach into Bakers bay"
&c. The rest sailing directions for Fort George,
Astoria, up the river, south SIDE
al did enter the river in the Flying Fish while
the Peacock was the north breaker and without
pilot and stood close in towards Cape Disappont-
ment, and should have anchored but for misfndsr-
standing Captain Hudson's signal in reply to mine
asking permission. After had nearly reached the
cape tackled, and (by sgnaD requested permission
to anchor. Captain Hudson, who was still on
board the Peacock, only replied with the answering
pennant but as he did not make the affirmative sig
nal, | deemed it proper to stand out again, and
while so doing, he Capt I. telegraPhed to me
that he would send me pilot the next morning.
"As you say of the south channel, we used it or
the north, as best s1isd our purposes. The north
west and west winds, think, were the prevailing
winds while we were in the river. But my expe-
rieDce on the to the north Of the river informs
me that the south and the southeast winds are the
most prevalent during the winter MONTHS and these
are generally accompanied by hard gales and rain
or is not subject to the same Commander Wilkes, in
his narrative, gives the following observations taken
at Vancouver; The barometer for June shows 300
AZ; for July, 800 49,; for August, 200 49,; Sepiem.
Der, 800 49,; and the thermometer above temperate.
Rsring the log days, there were fair, rs; cloudy,
know that these observations were at Vlncouver;
but as well as my memory serves me, think we
had pretty much the same kind of weather at the
mouth of the river. Some considerable time was lost
by the prevalence of smoke, and find in reading
the narrative that this was caused by the burning
Of Mount Coffin. ... -. . g.. H-.#
~ agree with you that the river may be easily
defended by batteries on Cape disappointment,
Point Adams, Chenook. and even the upper part OF
the Mddles, but | think any thing on the sands
would have TO built on piles .,,
~ do not look upon the river with so much dread
persons who are less acquainted with 1t. There
are times when ! think the attempt should not be
made to enter. But one thing is certain, the river
has been used by navigators, more or less, for 49
years, certainly; and cannot ascertain that more
than three or fsur vessels have been lost there
during that time; and when we consider that it has
enjoyed none of the advantages of other harbors--
such as lights or beacons, buoys, pilots, or even
charts think it will compare with even New York,
for instance, where, with all these advantages, four
times many are lost annually.
'Your remarks concerning the strength Of the
tides think, are right; ordinary tides three knots,
extraordinary, FIVE. ...r ,.,..
81 think it was Burnie who first informed me of
the existence of the south channel, and took the
first opportuhity-after the wreck of the Peacock,
and before the arrival Of the Vincennes-to run
through it in boat, accompanied by DR.. Guillou.
consider that this channel may be used vita safe
ty in good weather, to enter with westerly wind,
by any vessels drawing not than 90 feet water;
and in going to sea, vessel may drop or club down
it, ... : ...... E3....usn. ..,., g'. aa.. ... g.
81 do not think that the entrance should be at
tempted henyV weather. under DreRpnt
stances, or until there shall be competent pilots, who
would then be the best judges. But with regard to
the Chenook (north) channel I consider that safe
in, any kind of weather for vessels provided with
good ground tackle. The Clasop (south) channel
could not be used in heavy weather ..H
81 remain yours, truly, L.-...i
.,. ... ,..,l. &. "RNOX.
"JAMEs BLAIR, u S. NJ,
Washington, ID. Co.