The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-22
U. S. SURVEYING SCHOONER "EwrSe,"1

U. s. SURVEYING SCHOONER "EwING,"
MOUTH OF THE COLUMBIA, June 26, 1850.
Sin: In reply to your inquiries to the character
of the "New South Channel into the Columbia
river, and its practical use by vessels, either by
sail or steam as observed by the party of the Uni
ted States Coast Survey engaged here, ! have
TO state, in the absence of Lieutenant Commanding
Macarthur, chief of the photographic party, that
the United States schooner Ewing" crossed the
bar of the New South Channel, under charge Of
Captain White, the discoverer of the channel, ON
the 10th April last, and so perfectly plain and ac-
cessiblc did this new route appear, that we could
scarcely believe that we had really "beat i'm TO the
Columbia river, or over its bar, famous, for the
last half century, for difficulty and delay, as tobe
place of terror to all seamen and underwriters.
Since the date referred TO, over two months,
have witnessed the almost daily passage of the
bar of the 'New South Channel by vessels Of all
classes trading into the Columbia river, crossing at
pleasure, with or without pilots, without delay or
danger.
Since Mr. White left duty at the bar, q hope.
however, only temporarily five sail have crossed
the bar without pilots, viz, the brig "Seguin,"
banks ANN Smith and Eliza" and the United
States schooner Ewing" under my direction,
twice 30 that can state, Of my own knowledge,
that any observing seaman can cross in or out, over
this bar safely and certainly without an hours dc
lay, after having crossed in order TO observe
the ranges, which are well defined, and certain to
lead over in good water.
We have not yet sufficiently surveyed the bar TO
state how much water there is at all stages of the
tide, but the least water had in crossing with the
Ewing yesterday, with two careful lcadsmcn,
was I6 feet at half tide, (hood,) running in on
straight range Of Pillar Hill tree, very remark
able landmark, Just shut in over Point Adams, till
r. l.. 49,. 49,. Il
ers on the north side of Channel and hauled up for
the beacon on Sand Island, wind N w. N,
having from six and seven to nine fathoms up TO
Sand Island deacon" two mikes inside the bar.
Time, from the fathoms outside TO Sand leland
beacon, 90 minutes.
vessel goes out from the anchorage at Sand ISL
and into open ocean, in from 80 to so minutes.
There IL abundant room for any vessel 10 work
in or out with the wind from any point of the com
pass, and as the tide sets fair through the channel
in the beet water greatly facilitates both ingress
and egress.
The ranges for turning Claisop Spit arc, by my
own verifcation, Point Ece, with Pillar Hill just
shut in behind IL, and Point Adams; in one with
the highest ''pass" Of the mountains to the east
ward, in fathoms, vessel passes clear either in
coming in or going out.
IA that leading "pass" has no name, proposeto
dhuuguish ~ as the Ewing fcak. We haNe
built beacon on Sand Island, on which is white
flag 50 feet above the Island. and IS feet above
high water mark. Around tho base Of the flag
staff is a block house, 35 feet high and is feet
square, it can be seen plainly in good weather Ia
miles at
By bringing the beacon flag directly under the
centre Of the highest peak, westward OF Chinook
Point and Point Adams, just open south Of Pillar
Hill tree, vessel will be in 49, fatboms in a fair
way to the bar. with bar range on, via. Point
Adams and Pillar Hill.
And the usual wind at " W, or any where in
the western board t. fair for crossing. Vessels
cross the bar of the new channel under all steering
sails, or beat up channel the wind may be. IL
IL not necessary 10 tack ship on the bar in any
wind
A sailing vessel can run TO sea from Sand Island,
or come in, in less time than she run TO Ba-
kers bay, after which (ifin Bakers bay) she must
take her chance for wind and tide 70 get 10 sea
The anchorsges at Astoria, Tansy Point, least
end Of Clatsop Beach.) and Sand Island are good,
with abundant room for getting under way at any
stage Of the tide.
As soon as practicable, ] will designate all the
| points Of range for which the "beacon" on
Sand Island can be made available IL IL a suPe-
nor position for beacon light.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WASH. A. BARTLETT,
Lieut.. 4. s. Nary, Asst. Y. s. Z. surey.
To GrosGg GIsBs, GEO,
Dcnutv Collector. port Of Astoria.