New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-11-08
Survey of the Pacific Coast.

We had the pleasure yesterday of an examlna-
ton on board of the Sch. Ewing Of the U. D.
Coast Survey, Lieut.. VIM. P Macarthur Com
manding, Of the Maps and Charts which are the
result of his long and arduous labors along our
coast The Charts are on a large SCALE admirably
suited to the wants of the large marine constantly
increasing, already engaged along the Pacific
shore. They embrace the whole coast from the
mouth of the Columbia river to the Bay OF Mon
terey, and are executed IN q manner as crodlCa'
bic to the artistic skill and accuracy of VIM. b.
McMurtrie, Esq. craftsman, as the very success
iul and satisfactory results OF the Survey, are to
the perseverance, energy and ability OF the Gem
mander of the expedition.
From Cape Disappointment to Point Plnos the
Ewing traced each hcadland and information )
every rock and islct, determining the exact Lati-
tude and Longitude Of every point OF tho coast,
roadstead and infection, and fixing their position
upon the chart with much care and accuracy
that with such guides on board, the presence OF Il
pilot could scarcely be desirable on the part otany
seaman who may be navigating along the coast
The debouchment of each river emptying into the
sea is sCrupuously accurate and not dangerous
rock, or shoal or reef has escaped the inspection
of this thorough survey.
The chart is accompanied with perspective views
of the principal hcadlands, etc. along the coast
which will prove Of invaluable service to seamen
when in doubt otherwise, from any cause, as 10
their own exact position; as, for instance per
speclive view of Cape MendocinO, and the coun-
try at Trinidad. In proof OF the accuracy with
which this whole survey has been conducted, 1t
may not be aniss to mention that Lieut. Near
thur after taking his departure at point in this
Bay determined by Lieut. Wilkes, and threading
the entire coast noting its inlcts and outlets,
sounding its waters aud locating IopoSraphcally
correct every point that can be OF any interest TO
commerce. found upon completing all ms cacula-
tous in the Bav OF Sau Francisco, that there was
scarce any Discrepancy between the previously
determined position his vessel occupied and that
indicated by his reckoning.
The chart shows the nature of the whole coast,
where ii is sandy, where rock bound, and other
| wise the series Of hills or mountains as they over
| look the Shore and the appearance otthe country
rs to its forests and timber. Tie Charts OF Lieut.
| Wilkes of the United States Exploring EXped
ton, made some dozen years ago have long been
! known as inaccurate to great degree, as to tins
Coast
In fact the survey now made is the only one,
since the discovery OF The country upon which the
mariner could trust the safety OF bis vessel or life.
Many OF the points, rocks, &c. as laid down on
prey charts are more than twcnty miles out of
ther true position. Islands are laid down which
do not exist while others that have local hablta-
ton ana q name are not IN tntiuned at all.
Thus the immense bcueit which will accrue 20
the entire commercial ana mercantile interests
engaged on our coasts may easily be understood.
The trade already heavy, now carried on between
this port and the various points above us, Is CON
staEtN increasing, ana there Is great reason 10 De
heve that those rivers now merely known by
name, will ere long be known to the world as the
highways to rich as.d populous marts, Furnishing
under the combined Influences Of Agriculture.
Trade and Mining. The Umpqua the klameth
and others are already attracting much attention,
While the Columbia, SO long looked upon with dis
trust, and since TIE loss Of the lii-sate Peace k
on its b'r, considered BY many !qnnayyigablc' is
known now to have perfectly safe and easy en-
trance through its South Channel This has been
thoroughly surveyed by Lieut. Macarthur aud the
corps under his command. eighteen feet at moan
tide can be carried in over the shallowest part
and assisted by TIE chart and directions which
viii accompany The report. stranger may take
his ship to Astoria without the aid OF pilot.
The mouth Of the Columbia, as is proved by the
surveys of Wilkes and Macarthur, is gradually
changing. Where is now the South Channel,
which was so shallow when the Exploring Expe-
diton made its survey that the sea rolled into
continuous breakers entirely across 1t On the
other hand the then best entrance that surveyed
and recommended by Lieut.. Wikes-it we mis-,
take not-s filling up, and is so much altered
from its then condition, that it cannot he nHyiSa-
ted by his directions. Alta Cal Oct, l.