The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-14
TWO CENTS.
Marine AGalra.


The VoYAoE TO CALIFoRNi.-A few extracts from
the journal Of late townsmau of a VOYAGE 10 Cafor-
MIA though performed several since not be
uninteresting to those Of our seaaring fe nds who
may be leaving for that golden region It may prove
Of service crosang the equator the Pacific side,
and approaching California and San Francisco har Dor
"Feb Eve this day crossed the equator, In lon.
1l5d 67m. west, and found the variation to be sd.
32m east. found that in making q passage from
south Of the equator to California 1t was best crossing
the line in ITO and 1l6d. west longitude, rs there
strong s. T. trades prevail south aud fine NJ F. trades
and good weather north OF the line BY keeping we'll
to the westward OF the Galapagos islands, stro
and steadisr winds are found than farther es,t. On
leaving the north east trades II bound to Califo-
you should 90 as far as 100 or i96d west where you will
be sure to find nj this season, strong ". w and N
WINDS winds, which VIII carry you well up the coast OF
sands and the line far east you will encounter
strong N. w. gales driving you on TO the coast of
Mexico where you will be obliged to tack ship and
stand back to the southward and westward alopg
distance to put you in position to fetch the coast Of
An instance this Kind occurred while was on the
coast remarkably fast sailing French ship Of 400
tons 6ritheo came in from Callao, by the eastern
route have described crossing the line in the long OF
SO or SD west steering drecs Caps St &c as the
Southern cape of California, and had 90 days passage
went the western route from Callao, aud was AZ
days. The French chip met the strong N west wind
and had to stand to tho aouth|erd lost the N. Z.
trades in lat 2od 3Om. north and then took the win
N N. w. to N. N. T. standing to the n snd west
ward as far as lon 13ld. 49n west, lat Sod 40 n ~
The variation from the line to 2od lat in lon l27d
West, was degrees eastery ffom 29i. TO $50 north
1t increased 60 lad easteriy
In running fsr the harbor Of Sun Francisco It IL
best to make the Farralone Islands and from them
steer f. N. r. By compass for four five leagues,
when you will open the bay OF San Francisco. rhe
Farraone slau ds or Rocks extend in three clusters
n. N w. an f. S E., about 10 mites The eastern
one is the largest-hish and rugged lying about seven
leagues w ) w. from the entrance to San Francisco
harbor which entrance is very narrow, being %
miles only from N W. to S. w points OF the entrance
minimizing In width as you approach the old Mexican
fort where IL is only three a mile across
The tide ebbs and flows twice In TIVE four hours.
The entran to st Francisco u spring and
very much obscured by dense fogs causing its ap-
proach to be very dangerous to strangers From the
s. w. point to the old Mexican fort Is about three
miles; then opens deep and spacious bag. Very
heavy N. w. winds prevail great part of the time
blowing directly In through this to the har
Dor Against these winds blowing in, very strong
ebb tide cunning or k1otE) setting, heaves up q
very dsagreeable and tometimes dapgeroussea having
the appearance Of breakers exte ading entirely
the entrance Of the harbor where the water Is
seven fathoms Ships should avoid, II possible an
chorng near the entrance "a the rapoity and irregu
larity Of the cure swings ship dozen times
an hour causing her chains to njure her copper and
being liable to strike adrift from thu heavy gusts OF
wind that rush n round the Fort poin
The beet anchorage Is at place called Ierba Buena
which Is just above the secoud point the
hand-going in giving the ship berth ofhaf mile in
running after passing the POI haul close in shore
to six fathoms with muddy bottom and good holding
ground opposite this anchorage Is large high island
three or four miles distant In anchoripg haul well In
shore to avoid tie strength Of the tidethe
Is about ee nth of a mile OF shore Moor with
bower anchor N. w. and S. F..
The wind and tide are so strong that 1t Is desirable
to anchor as near shore rs possible Communication
by boats with the shore is often times very hazardous
in your boats cargo wood and water it should be
done at high water, ss mud bank makes of half way
from the shore to the anchorage Abundance of wood
and good water are to be obtained here Salem Reg.