The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-09


he United States Coast Suoey 10 the Secretary 81
The Treasury, containing sailing directions Tor en-
tering Columbia riuT, Oregon.
COAST SURVEY STATION
November 10Th, 1850.
Sin have the honor to communicate the first OF
a series of photographic notices of the Western
Coast from Lieutenant Commanding w. p. Mc'Ar-
thur, United States Navy Assistant in the Coast Sur
vey, and would respectfully request authority to
publish it. The chart of Columbia river entrance,
from preliminary survey, has been received and is
reducing for the engraver, and will be published
speedily. This notice contains sailing directions
for entering the river.
Very respectfully, yours,
(Signed) A. ID. BACHE,
Superintendent United States Coast Survey
Hon. Thomas CoRwIN, Secretary Of the Treasury
States from Monterey TO Columbia riuer, by Lieu
tenant Commanding ". p. AcArGtW, United
States Nary, assistant in Tie Coast SurpSy.
Previous to giving sailing directions for this part
OF our coast propose to notice the character Of the
winds, at different seasons, with their effect upon
the sea and currents.
From March to October, the prevailing wind
along the coast, and for many miles to the west
ward, is fresh from the northwest, being freshest
from ten A. M. to two p. NJ, and not unfrequently
falling light during the night. During this season
OF the year the northwest wind blows with almost
the regularity of a trade wind. During the months
OF August and September, fogs prevail to great
extent, and impede and endanger navigation ma
terially.
During the part of the year above mentioned,
there no heavy gales of wind, and little or no
rain.
hoe ind. g LIE
knot per hour, along the coast setting the south
ward
From October to March, the wind is variable,
both with regard TO velocity and direction. During
this season heavy gales occur from the southeast,
south, and southwest, generally accompanied by
protracted rain, and causing very heavy sea and
swell along the coast
The current during this season sets generally to
the northward varying in velocity with the strength
OF the wind. These facts being known, it is now
TO be considered how directions should be given
which would be most useful to navigation.
Sailing vessels bound to the northward, from
Monterey or any more northern port, during the
summer season, should stand well of Shore not too
close hauled, until about three hundred miles from
the land, where they will be beyond the influence
OF the souherly current and in situation to take
advantage of a slant of wind VIII Oh frequently &C.
ours from the west-northwest. They would do
well not TO approach the land unless favored by the
wind SO as to enable them to lay either their course,
or nearly so, until up with the latitude of the des-
tined port.
Steamers should follow the coast, from point to
point. as nearly as possible, always keeping with
in fifteen miles Of the land. They will, by this
means, shorten the distance, and frequently avoid
the strong northwest winds, often they will find
it quite calm, close i'll with the Shore when there
is strong wind to seaward.
Vessels bound to the northward, in the winter
season. should keep close along the land as prac-
ticabe, and take every advantage of all southerly
winds to make latitude. They should always en-
deavor to make the land at least twenty or thirty
miles TO the southwark of the destined harbor.
Navigators bound TO the southwark should keep
the coast in sight, and take advantage of either
tack upon which the most latitude may be made,
always making the land TO the northward of the
port in summer, and TO the southwark in the win
ter
(Signed) w. p. McARTHUR,
Lieut. CONG U. s. Navy,
and ASSIST in Coast Survey.