Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-04-07
COMMUNICATED.
THE GREAT BAY OF SAN FRAN.
CISCO.

FRIEND SHoLEs:-At the present time,
when Sd much discussion prevails relative
to our increasing national interests on the
shores ofthe Pacific Ocean and the western
continent of North America generally,
have thought that an accurate description, or
one that am confidently ofthe opinion will
prove nearly so, Of one one of the most ex-
, tensve perfect and wonderful harbors on
that coast would be appreciated by your rea-
ders. 1t IS claimed to be superior TO any
thing of the kind in the world. This cir
I cumstance together with the fact that it is
embraced within the widely extended lin
IFS ola country Of unsurpassed fertility Of
sol and climate SO mild and pure that dis
ease is scarcely known and in this respect
is admitted 10 surpass even far-famed Italy,
is sufficient explanation Of the cause which
has induced me to furnish this description
for yur journal.
j Lansford w. Hastings Esq, formerly of
Ohio, now resident ofnorlhen California,
who gives US the only account that makes
any pretention TO accuracy Of the important
harbor which has fallen under my observa-
ton, after giving most glowing descrip.
ton ofnorlhern California--ils climate, soil,
mineral, fruit, grain, horses, cattle, navigl-
BILE streams, &C., &C., on the subject Of rhe
harbors, remarks:
i The bays and harbors of California next
claim our attention, and that deserving the
fist and principal notice is the Bay of San
Francisco, which is situated at latitude 80
degrees north, and extends about forty miles
into the interior in direction about north.
north east from its entrance. lis waters are
securely confined within its bed by an IRON
bound coast which is generally composed Of
solid basaltic rock.
The country adjacan. 60 H. Dy, - a
very broken and billy region, but very fer
tile, producing oats, clover and the like in
great profuson. The entrance Of this Bay
from the Ocean is about one mile wide, upon
! each side of which is ledge of basal,c
rock about two bundled feet above the level
, passage on each side of the entrance, the
Bay gradually expands TO eight or Ten
miles from north to south and about twelve
miles from east 10 west. At the extreme
: eastern portion Of this Bay or basin
thus formed, its hilly and rocky banks grad
ually contract 10 passage about two miles
wide which forms an entrance into second
Bay or basin ofgreater extent than That just
described. After passing through this Sc
cond entrance the high, rolling, basallic
banks again gradually divergc to width OF
about ten miles when they again contract to
a space of about one mile making distance
from the entrance of this second Bay to the
opposite termination or commencement o,
, the first channel Of about miles, A third
and more extensive Bay is formed in a
similar manner, The eastern extremity oil
which is about 10 miles distant from The
shores Of The Pacific where, it receives the
Sacramento. The Bay last alluded TO. is
: IL miles distant from east to west and about
l ) miles from north TO south and like the
others described it affords most exet nsive
and secure anchorage. From this descrip-
, Of the great bay Of San Francisco. il is seen
that instead Of one bay, there are three ex.
tensive bays which, however, are all con-
nected, forming the bay of San Franc SEQ.
There are several small islands in this bay
the largest ofwhich is situated on the north
side of the first bay within foil view of the
entrance from the ocean. 1t is about five
miles long aud three in width and has a
, very rough and broken surface which is cov-
cred here and there with limbs ola small
growth and an abundance Of vegetation 1t
is admirably suited to the purposes of graz
zing as 1t not only produces the various
grasses and oats and clover in great profu-
sion, but also great abundance Of good
fresh water Large herds of fine cattle arc
now kept upon i. by SpanIard who resides
in the lower part of The country.
The next large island alluded TO is loca-
ted on the south side of the same bay font
ing the town of Yerba Buena. 1t is also
depastured, but by herds of wild goats which
have been placed upon it by foreigner who
resides at Yerba Buens. Besides these
! islands there are several others in III bay,
which appear to be composed entirely of
basaltic rock and hence produce no kind OF
vegetation but are places of resort for the
innumerable fowls Of prey which abound in
that region. One Of these rocky islands is
situated directly in front Of the entrance
from The ocean and is about one fourth of
; mile in diameter. The con,iguiiy Of this
island TO the entrance and its immedae OPP
position TO that point, TENDERS it very impor.
,ant as few guns planted upon il and vel