The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-10-11

United ssates Coast Survey.
COAST OF CALIFORNIA.
Information in relation to Hum boldt Harbor,
Trinidad bay, and San Diego Harbor and its ap.
prosches, contained in letter from the Supsrin.
ndept OF the coast survey to the Secretary Of the
Treasury, and published by authority Of the Trsa.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT., Oct. 6. 1851.
SR:-Aereeably to ths request in your letter Of
the 18th ultimo, you authorised 70 publish the
information to which you refer, in relation TO GER
tain harbors on the western coast of the United
States. Very respectfully,
Secretary of the Treasury.
Prof A. d. BAcHE, Supt. ofCoast Survey,
Washington, ID. G.
OssIrRR STATION, NEAR ALFRED, MAINE,
September %, 1851
DEAR SIR:--The following informa lion in regard
to Humboldt Harbor, Trinidad Bay, and San Diego
Harbor and its approaches has been received from
Lieutenant Com handing James Alden, u: 5
assistant X. d. Cuts, and sub assistant a. M Har-
rison. would respectfully request authority for
Trinidad and Hum boldt Bays have been survey.
ed, and the charts will be ready to forward by tho
lH proximo. The 6rst named is q very convenient
and safe anchorage during six months in the year,
and will be found by vessels that have suffered
from the strong head (northeriy) winds that prevail
along this coast, comfortable barber Of refuge.
humboldt Bay Is, | think, the third harbor on
this coast It is sixteen miles long, and from three
quarters to four or five miles vide. The entranos
between the breakers is nearly straight but rather
along the coast; it is about mile long, and two
hundred metres wide, between the eighteen feet
curves either side, with twenty one feet at low
alter the bar Ii is perfectly accessible except in
very heavy weather, when, am informed, the sea
breaks entirely across the entrance; but we had
trouble in getting in, and beat out againat very
light air, with little or no tide in our favor We
have made very careful examination of it.
San Diego Bay.-From tho perfect shelter it az
fords from a. winds, and the depths of its water,
San IGeU Rav ia IN San Fro
cisco, the best on this coast That such large
volume 4 water should have such small outlet Is
somewhat remarkable; as is also the very singular
natural break water, Ballast Point.
The port La Playa is situated on the western
shore of the bay, about mile and three quarters
from the entrance. The anchorage is ia between
nine and ten fathoms The custom house is places,
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 is q small town of few
adobe houses, and uIapproachable by water, even
New San Diego, now about a year old, is situated
on lain at the base of the hills the side of
the bay. 1t consists ofa few American built houses
and large storehouse for the Quartermaster's de-
partment. The United States military depot ia
established there. A channel runs in curve from
La Playa to New San Diego, and vessels can AIRY
from six to seven fathoms water. Beth New San
Die 60 and La Playa 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 tioe.
The mos. important subject, however, connected
with the bay, is the efect of the debouchment Of
the San Diego river, bringing with it, when high,
0n the rainy season. great Quantities Of sand di-
rectly into the channel
1t Is believed, and apparently with reason, that
unless the course Of the river be changed the chan
nel will be ultimately filled, which viii ave the et
feet, think, OF not only cutting off communities ion
with New Town, but also of destroying the DAY en-
trey as harber-for it appears that nothing keeps
the bay open but the great amount of water How.
ing in and out at the narrow entrance; a,d, when
the char mel closed, the greater part Of the bay
Is cut OIL leaving insufficient amount to keep tho
entrance clear. A bar would doubtless form across
the mouth, and the bay will gradually fill up.
That the river does bring sand into the bay il as
serted by the deputy collector of this place, and
others " ho have the means Of knowing; and, fur
ther, it is known that vessels at time could au-
Choir in False Bay, but the river flowing into It de-
stroyed it by filing il with sand and il then tuned
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 tt
river into the False Bay again.
This is an excellent harbor, and its loss would /
severely felt
Respecting the tides, Mr.. Gray gives tn, average ,
as sixieet, which is approximately correct tn
pilots tell me that the tides vary ia their rise and
iall from nine feet (spring tides) to three and
About two thirds Of the way from the Playa t,
the end Of Ballast Point is shosl having nice fe.s
Of water at low tide. but lately discovered
oallnS Drectfons 1Of cau DeKo " osseG In
sight Of the coast, AMI approaching San Diego from
the morrill, will observe al opening IN the hills, and
the appea raDce of an inland bay. This Is the
"False Port" and must be avoided. Immediately
north OF "False Port" commences a taole and
about four hundred and City feet high, and extend
ing southwardly six or seven miles The extremity
of this table land IL called Point Iona, and forms
the entrance to the harbor Of San Diego.
Those bound from the southward will first sight
the group Of high, rocky islets, called Los Coro-
nados." From thence to Point Iona the course Is
n. E., and the distance fifteen nautical miles.
On clear day Los Coronados' will .
landmark and guide for vessels coming from any
direction.
Steer right through the kelp giving Point Loms
berth Of one half mile, and in fe = minutes you
stones forming . natural breakwater. Then round
up gradually, until you bring Ballast Point in
range with the easternmost house the Playa,
and be very careful not to open moro Of the village,
otherwise you will be too far to the east aud in
danger Of getting aground on Zunipgo Shoal. Tho
breakers show its position. During tho Summer
keep close to the hills, the pors side, rs your
DRAFT Of water will allow, as you will then DO 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 Poot, steer direct for the Playa,
and anchor ss you please
Inside Of the breakwater, and about two hundrodl
and fifty yards true north of ITS extremity, h
shoal spot with twelve feet water st low tile The
shoals on the starboa ID hand plain in sight, ex
cept at very high water.
Beyond the Playa the shoals are easily distin-
euisbed The channel, however, is buoyed. From
the Plays to New Town, four miles distant, you
can carry six fathoms of water. mile or two bs-
yond New Town the bay becomes shoal.
Very respectfully, yours. Sc,
A. ID BAcHE, Superint endent.
Hon. THos. CoRwIs, Secretary Of the Treasury.