The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-12-14
Important 60 Navixators.

THE RKPoRT PROFESSOR A. D. HAcHR, surERrN.
TEnpENr OF THE UNITED STATES COAST SURVEY, TO
INK SECRETARY or TUE TREASURY, IN RELATION
TO 1HR DhAUcHT or VESSELS WHICH CAY ENTER
COLUMBIA RiyER, OREGON.
WEBB's HUI, Dec. 3, 1850
SRI have the honor 20 communicate a second
arsersphc nollcr, IN regard TO the western coast,
ana To request authority for its pabcsuon. IL Is
contained IN a report by Lieutenant Washington
Bartlett, u. 5 N, assistant in the coast survey,
and refers TO the south Oh lnnel at the entrance Of
Columbia riytr, Oregon. You're, respectfully.
JSgntd) A. u. BAcHK, Superintendent &c
Hon Thomas Corwin, Secretary Of the Treasury.
EEPokr OF LIEUTENANT WASHING ron A. BARTLETT,
=. $. y, ASSISTANT IN T1IE COAST SURVEY, TN rs
LAIioN TO IHE DRAUGHT oF VESSELS WHICH CAs
ENIER THE SOUTH cHASyFL, COLUMBIA RIVER
ENTRANCE, OREGON.
wAsHISeroN, Nov 20, 1850.
SR-in answer to our impurities as to the draught
IVr NtsteIs which may, al any time, be carried mo
The Columbia riytr, by the new south channel.
have 10 state that our late survey Of that chan
mel, and my personal experience in passing over
the south lar, in vessels Of deep drauqht, show
coSclusively that vessels drawing seventeen feet
can be taken over the south bar at one fourth Hood
or hree-ourths ebb without the sst risk of tou CHI
ing. and twenty feet can pass at high water.
In making the preceding state ment, IL ~ proper
10 cay that have fully considered the "drop'
whieh vessel males when in the swell Of the
oer, which ~, however, much less in the south
thrn 10 the Old north channel, when the wind Is
IN the usual northwestern quarter
La the winter or spring seasons when the wind
" IN the south or southwest quarter, there IL a
hVtiy bfeekef on the south bar nj which time IL
VIII be tmoothest on the north bar, and this
,outh.ry wind being then fair for the north chan
Ltl there isuo occasion TO take the south bar, in
tOuihsry winds, going In; yet, with a moderate
drought IN a failing vessel, the south channel is
ever seftst IN coming out, although the wind may
bt otad on 10 the bar; the bar being 60 short
in shosl wafer
The Y steamer Massachusetts and u. 8 sloop
OF Wal Falmouth, each drawing IL feet water, have
parsed the bar Of the south channel into the CO.
lumbla fivtr, since our survey was made.
IN sooition, would state that nv experience at
me NOUN OF the Columbia has convinced me that
the south channel ~ the practicable commercial
Chennel OF that rvef for certainty and safety with
the aodlhonai advantage Of accomplishing the pas.
ssge oor from the river, without waiting for a
particular wind. Ships frequently pass the bar in.
ward in fifteen minutes after receiving their pilot,
anchors. SIS
disabled ship that can be sailed 80 as to have
COCO stepge way, can pass over the south bar in
teieiy when It would b. impossible to get herin by
the north chennel
tIom the 18Th ofAprll to the 9th Of uQus,, 1850.
there was no day that the South channel was not
recucabie for vessels, and was in daily use.
crossed The Der (south chsnneD in the pilot
beat Mary Tay Ur, during the I" heaviest bar" that
occurred within the above named period. beating
out with the wind dead ahead.
The principal pilot Of the baris Capt. White, late
pilot 81 New York harbor. He IL very intellioent.
and competent TO bic duties, and NO accident has
ocCurrrd al the mouth OF the Columbia since SEP
TENDER, 1873, when he commenced his duties as
pilot.
The commerce OF the Columbia river-the great
artery Of the fertile valleys Of the Columbia aad
Is nouissRs-is rapidly increasing. The Pacific