The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-10-09


tary of the Treasury, and published by autho-
rity of tho Treasury Department:
TREAsURy DErARTMENr Oct. 6, 1851.
SIR: Agrceably to the request in your letter Of
the 10Th ultimo, you are authorized to publish the
information to which you refer. in relation to GER
tain harbors on the western coast of the United
States Very respectfully,
(Signed) THOS. CORwIN,
Secretary of the Treasury.
Prof. A. ID. BAcHE, Supt. of Coast Survey,
Washington, D. G.
OssIPEE STATION, NEAR ALFRED, MAINE,
September %, 1851.
DEAR Sir: The following information in regard
to Humboldt Harbor, Trinidad Bay, and San Diego
Harbor and it's approaches, has been received from
Lieutenant Commanding James Alden, U. S. NJ.
assistant X. ID. Cuts and sub assistant A. M
Harrison. l would respectfully request authority
for its publication.
TRINIDAD and HUMBOLDT BAYS have been sur
voyed and the charts will be ready to forward by
the lst proximo. The fret named is very
venient 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 this coast, comfortable harbor
of refuge
Humboldt Bay is. | think, the third harbor on
this coast; il is sixteen miles long and from three
quarters to four or five miles wide. The en-
trance between the breakers is nearly straight,
but rather along the coast it is about mile long
and two hundred metros wide, between the eighteen
feet either side, with twenty one feet at
low water the bar. IL is perfectly accessible
except in very heavy weather, when, / am in
formed the breaks entirely the entrances
but we had trouble in getting in, and beat oGt
~ Iirrl,t. ir ~
our favor. We have made very careful exami-
nation of it.
SAN DIEGO BAy.-From the perfect shelter it at
fords from all winds, and the depth of its water,
San Diego Bay is considered, next TO San Fran
cisco, the best this coast That such large
volume of water should have such small outlet is
| somewhat remarkable, as ia also the very singular
| natural brcakwater, Ballast Point.
The port La Playa is situated the western
shore OF the bay about mile and three quarters
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 steam
| ers stop. An excellent road leads from La Playa
TO Old San Diego which ID small town OF a few
| adobe houses, and unapproachable by water, even
in boats.
New San Diego, now about year old, is situated
plain at the base of the hills the east side of
the bay. 1t consists Of few American built houses
and large shorehouse for the quartermastcr' de-
partment. The United States military depot is
tabshed there A channel runs in curve from
La Playa TO New San Diego, and vessels can carry
from six TO iathoms water. Both New San
Diego and La Playa are dependant upon the river
at Old San Diego for their water. Between the
above named channel and Old San Diego are large
flats mostly covered with grass, and partly bare
at low tide.
The most important subject, however, connected
with the bay, is the effect of the Acknowledgement of
the San Diego river, bringing with it, when high,
lin the rainy season) great quantities of sand di-
| rcctly into the channel.
1t is believed, and apparently with reason, that
unless the of the river be changed the chan
mel will be ultimately filled, which will have the
effect, think, of not only cutting off communica-
ton with New Town, but alec of destroying the
bay entirely harbor-for it appears 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 insufficient amount to
keep the entrance clear. A bar would doubtless
| form across the mouth, and the bay will gradually
| hlup
That the river docs bring sand into the bay is as
serted by the deputy collector of this place, and
| others who have the means of knowing; and far
ther, it is known that vessels at one time could an
Choir in False Bay, but the river flowing into it de-
stroyed it by filling with sand; and it then turned
it's course into San Diego Bay.
If such be the facts, and see reason to doubt
them, the only remedy for the evil is to turn the
river into False Bay again
! This is an excellent harbor and its loss would
be severely felt.
Respecting the tides, MIR. Gray gives the aver
/ age as six feet, which is approximately correct.
The pilots tell me that the tides vary in their rise
and fall from nine feet (sprng tides) to three and
a half-during the year.
About two thirds of the way from the Playa to
| the end of Ballast Point is shoal, having nine
feet OF water at low tide, but lately discovered.
| SAILING DIRECTIONS FOR SAN DIEGo.--Vessels in
/ sight of the coast and approaching San Diego
| from the north, will observe opening in the
hills, and the appearance Of an inland bay. This
is tho "False Port, and must be avoided. Imme-
| diately north of "Falsc Port" commences table
land about four hundred and fifty feet high, and
extending southwardly six seven miles. The
extremity of this table land is called Point Iona,
and forms the entrance to the harbor of San Diego
Those bound from the southwark will first sight
the group of high rocky islets, called clos Corona
dos" From thence to Point Iona the course ia
! N f., and the distance fifteen nautical miles.
On a clear day "&os Coronados" will
| landmark and guide for vessels coming from any
direction.
Steer right through the kclp, giving Point Lomn
berth of one half mile, and in few minutes you
will open Ballast Point, a low beach of shingle
stones forming natural breakwater. Then round
up gradually, until you bring Ballast Point il
| range with the eascrnmost house the Playa
and be u1y careful not 10 open more Of the viage
| otherwise you will be too far to the cast and il
danger of getting aground on Zuningo Shoal Tn
breakers show it's position. During the sumnc
keep close TO the hills, the port side, you
draft of water will allow, you will then be abb
TO lay the wind right up to Ballast Point. Yo'
can carry four fathoms within ships length of tn
point. Keep the above range, and, when "
with Ballast Point, steer direct for the Playa, ant
anchor you please.
Inside of the brcakwater, and about two hundre
and fifty yards true north of its extremity, is
shoal spot with twelve feet water at low tide. TIL
| I'll an T,lap