The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-13
The Western Coast Of America.

The Report Of PREF A. D. BncAc, Supt. Of me
T.. y. c0dSt Su. =, Ia the Secretary Of the Ired-
sury, containing sailing directions for emering
Columbia rirer, Oregon
CoAsr SURVEY STATION, Nov. 90, 1850.
STAT have the honor to communicate the frsr
Of series Of photographs notices Of the westerns
coast, from Lieut.. Cong. w. P. Macarthur, Z
s. N, assistant in the coast survey, and would re
specially request authority to publish it. The
chart Of Columbia river entrance, from preimt
nary survey, has been received, and is reducing
for the engraver, and will be published speediIyl
This notice contains sailing directions for entere
ing the ( sysr Very respectfully K ys1rs
Supt. q. S. Coast Survey. e
HON. THOMAS CoRwiN, Sec. ofthe Treasury. =
Sailing directions for the arestern coast nf ih#
United States, from Monterey 10 C0lu,nJia rir 8
CT, by Lieut.. Gang, W. p. I!lcAr!hur, L. 81
~, assistant in the coast surrey. i
Previous to giving sailing directions for thit
part Of our coast, propose TO notice the characee
of the winds at different seasons, with their efo
feet upon the sea and currents. 2
From March to October, the prevailing wine
along the coast and for many miles 10 the west
ward, is fresh from the northwest, being freshest-
from 10 A. NJ, to 2 P. NJ, and not unfrequentlst
falling light during the ght. During this seasos
of the year, the northwest wind blows with ain,
most the regularity of trade wind Daring the
months of August AID September, fogs prevail
a great extent, and impede and endanger nayigo.
ton materially.
During the part Of the year above mentioned
there are no heavy gales Of wind, and little or nj
rain 5.
These winds cause current Of about half
knot per hour along the coast setting &c the coutte
wad.
From October to March the wind is variable
both with regard 10 velocity and direction DuAt
ring this season heavy gales occur from the soutl
east, south, and southwest, generally accountant
ed by protracteG rain, and causing a very heavs.
sea and swell along the coast
The current during this season sets generally
the northward, varying in velocity with II
strength Of The wind
These facts being known, it is now to be co,
sidered how directions should he given whic
would be most useful to navigation
Sailing vessels bound to the nortbwsrd frole
Monterey, or any more northern port during Il
summer season, should stand well off shore, n,
too close hauled until about 900 miles from II
land, when they will be beyond the influence g
the southery current, and in situation to tai
advantage OF a slant Of wird, which freuuerrl
occurs from the west-north west They WON
do well not to approach the land unless favore-
by the wind so as to enable them to Law eth
their course, or nearly so, until up with the lat
tude of the destined port. HT
Steamers should follow the coast from point a.
point ms nearly as possible, always keeping viii
in fifteen mites Of the land. They will bv TIN
means, shorten the distance. and frequently avo ne
the strong northwest winds, often they will fir.
it quite calm close in with the shore, where the I"
is n strong wind to sea ward. OH
Vessels bound to the northward, in the whit,
season, should keep ms close along the land /
practicable, and take every advantage Of all sout !.
ery winds TO make latitude. They should alwas,
endeavor to make the land least twenty or ,hlrnf
miles To the southwark Of the destined harhor mt
Navigators bound to the southwark should keeS
the coast in sight, and take advantage of eth
tack upon which the most latitude may be mad u
always making the land to the nothward OF Jpn
port in summer, and 20 the southwark in the wire
ter season.. a
(Signed) w. P.NcARTHUR,
Lieut.. CONG. U. S. NJ. and Asst ia Coast Surye co.