The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-09

intendent of the Coast Survey to the Secretary
of the Treasury and published by authority of
the Treasury Department:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Oct. 6, 1851.
Sir :-Agreeably to the request in your letter
OF the 29th ultlmo, you are authorized to publish
the information to which you refer, in relation to
certain harbOrs on the western coast Of the
United States. Very respectfully,
s (Sgned.) THOS. CORWIN,
Secretary of the Treasury.
Prof. A. ID. BAoHE, Supt. of Coast Survey,
Washington, ID. C..
OssIPEE STATION, NEAR ALFRED, MAINE,
September % 1851.
DEAR SIR The following information in
gard TO Humboldt Harbor, Trinidad Bay, and
San Diego Harbor and its approaches, has been
received from Lieutenant Commanding James
Alden, u. 8. NJ; assistant r d. Cuts and sub
assistant A. nj. Harrison. would respectfully
request authority for its publication.
TRINIDAp and HUMBOLDT Bays have been
surveyed, and the charts will be ready 10 forward
by the lat proxmo The tirst-named is very
convenient and safe anchorage during six months
in the year, and will be found by vessels that
have suffered from the strong head (nOrtherly)
winds that prevail along T. is coast, comforta-
Bile harbor Of refuge.
Humboldt Bay il, think the third han Dor on
this coast; it is sixteen miles long and from three
quarters to four or five miles wide. The entrance
between the breakers is nearly straight, but ra-
Their along the coast it il about mile long, and
two hundred metres wide, between the eighteen
feet curves on either side, with twenty one feet
ut low water on the bar. 1t Is perfectly Access
sble in very heavy weather, when, am inform
ed the sea breaks entirely across the entrance;
but we had no trouble in getting in, and beat om
against very light air, with little or no tide in
our favor. We have made very careful exam
ination of it.
SAN DIEGO BAY-From the perfect shelter il
affords from all winds, and the depth Of its wa
ter San Diego Bay is considered, next to San
Francisco, the best on this &C asst. That such
large volume of water should have such small
outlet is somewhat remarkable, as Is also the
very singular natural breakwater, Ballast Point.
The port La PLAYA is situated on the western
shore Of the bay, about one mile and three-quar
tiers from the entrance. The anchorage is in
between nine and ten fathoms The custom
house is placed here, and it is also the place
where the mail -steamers stop An excellent
road leads from La Playa to Old San Diego,
which is small town of few adobe houses,
and unapproachable by water, even in boats.
New San Diego, now about year old, is
situated on plain at the base of the hills on
the east side of the bay. 1t consists OF Il few
American built houses and large shorehouse
for the quartermaster's department. The United
States military depot is established there.
channel runs In curve from La Playa to New
San Diego, and vessels can carry from six to
seven fathoms water. Both New San Diego
and La Playa are dependant on the river at Old
San Diego for their water Between the above
named channel and Old San Diego, are large
flats mostly covered with glass, and partly bare
at low tide.
The most important subject, however, connec-
ted with the bay, is the effect Of the debouche-
ment of the San Diego river, bringing with it,
when high, lin the rainy season. great quanti-
ties of sand directly into the channel
1t is believed and apparently with reason, that
unless the course of the river be changed, the
channel will be ultimately filled, WHICH will
have the effect, ] think, of not only cutting of
communication with New Town, but also of de-
stroying the bay entirely as a harbor-for it APP
pesrs that nothing keeps the bay open, but the
great amount of water flowing in and out at the
narrow entrance; and, when the channel is
closed, the greater part of the bay is cut off
leaving an insufficient amount to keep the en-
trance clear bar would doubtless form across
the mouth, and the bay will gradually fill up.
That the river does bring sand into the bay
is asserted by the deputy collector of this place,
and others who have the means of knowing
ard, farther, it is known that vessels at one time
could anchor in False Bay but the river flowing
into it, destroyed it by filling it with sand; and
it then turned its course into San Diego Bay.
If such be the facts, and ] see no reason to
doubt them, the only remedy for the evil is to
turn the river into False Bay again.
There is an excellent harbor, and its loss
would be severely felt.
Respecting the tides, Mr.. Gray gives the aver.
age six feet, which is approximately correct
The pilots tell me that the tides vary in their rise
and fall from nine feet (spring tides) to three
and half-during the year.
About two-thrds Of the way from the Playa
TO the end of Ballast Point is a shoal, having
nine feet of water at low tide, but lately dis
covered.
SAILING DIRECTIONS FOR SAN DIEGo Yes
sels in sight of the coast, and approaching San
Diego from the north, will observe an opening
in the hills, and The appearance Of an inland
bay This is the "Fal,e Port" and must be
avoided Immediately north of "False Port"
commences table land about four hundred and
fifty feet high, and extending southwardly six
or seven miles. The extremity of this table
land is called Point Iona, and forms the en-
trance to the barbor of San Diego.
Those bound from the southwark will first
sight the group of high, rocky islets, called Us
Coronados" From thence" TO Point Iona the
course is N. f., and the distance fifteen nau-
teal miles. On clear day Los Coronados"
will serve as landmark and guide for vessels
coming from any direction.
Steer right through the kep, giving Point
Iona berth of one half mile. and in few min
utes you will open Ballast Point, a low beach of
shngle stones forming natural breakwater
Then round up gradually, until you bring Bal
last Point in range with the easternmosi house
on the Playa, and be rerv careful not 10 open more
Of the village otherwise you will be too far to
the east, and in danger Of getting aground on
Zuningo Shonl. The breakers show its position
During the summer, keep as close to the billie
on the port side, rs yonr draft of water will
allow, as you viii then be able to lay on the
wind right up to Ballast Point You can carry
four fathoms within ships length of the point
Keep on the above range, and, when up with
Ballast Point, steer direct for the Playa and an.