The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-11

U
of the Treasury, and published by authority OF
the Treasury Department:
Treasury DEPARTMENT, Oct. 6, 1851.
Sin :-Agreeably to the request in your letter
of the 29th ultimO, you are authorized to publish
the information to which you refer, in relation to
certain harbors on the western coast OF the
(Signed.) TIIOS. CORWlN,
Secretary of the Treasury.
Prof A. d. BAcHE, Supt of Coast Survey,
Washington, ID. Z.
OssIPEE STATION, NEAR ALFRED, MAINE,
September 80, 1851.
DEAR SIR:-The following information in re-.
gard TO Humboldt Harbor, Trinidad Bay, and
San Diego Harbor and it's approaches, has been
received from Lieutenant Commanding James
Alden, u. 8. N; assistant R. D.. Cults, and sub
assistant A. M. Harrison. would respectfully
request authority for its publication.
TRINIDAD and HUMBOLDT BAYS Fave been
surveyed, and the charts will be ready 10 forward
by the lst proximo. The frst.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, a comforta-
BILE 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 entrance
between the breakers is nearly straight, but ra-
Their along the coast; it is about mile long, and
two hundred metres wide, between the eighteen
feet curves on either side, with twenty zone feet
at low water on the bar. 1t is perfectly Access
sible in very heavy weather, when, am inform
ed, the sea breaks entirely across the entrance;
- IL IL. boof n,,y
against very light air, with little or no tide in
our favor. We have made very careful exam
ination Of it.
SAN DIfeo BAY-From the perfect shelter it
affords from all winds, and the depth of its wa
ter, San Diego Bay is considered, next to San
Francisco, the best on this coast. That such
large volume of water should have such a small
outlet is somewhat remarkable, al 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-
ters from the entrance. The anchorage is in
between nine and ten fathoms. The custom
house il 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 a small town of few adobe houses,
and unapproachsbIe 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. II consists of few
Americana built houses and large shorehouse
for the quartermaster's department.. The United
States military depot is established there. A
channel runs in a 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
Mt 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, dn the rainy season. great quaint.
ties Of sand directly into the channel.
II is believed, and apparently with reason, that
unless the course Of the river be changed, the
chsnpel will be ultimately filed, which will
have the effect, think, Of not only cutting of
communication with New Town, but also Of de.
stroying the bay entirely as harbor-for il np.
pears that nothing keeps the bay open, but the
great amount Of water flowing 10 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. A bar would doubtless form across
the mouth, and the bay will gradually gil up.
Is asserted BY the deputy collector Of this place,
and Others who have The means Of knowing I;
ard, farther Il Is known that vessels at one time
could anchor in False Bay. but the river flowing
into il, destroyed IL by filing Il with sand; and
Il then turned its course into San Diego Bay.
IL 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 lie loss
would be severely felt.
Respecting the tides, Mr.. Gray gives the aver.
ace M six feet which is approximately correct.
The pilots tell me that the tides vary in their rise
and fall from nine feet (spring tides) 70 three
and haf-during the year.
About two-thirds Of the way from the Playa
20 the end OF Ballast Point IL shoal, having
nine feet Of water at low tide, but lately dis
covered.
SAILING OBJECTIONS FOR SAN DIEeo YES
sells 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 @False Port" and must be
avoided. Immediately north Of "False Port"
commences table land about four hundred and
fifty feet high, and extending southwsrdly six
or seven miles. The extremity Of this table
land IL called Point Iona, and forms the en-.
trance 10 the harbor Of San Diego.
Those bound from the southwark will first
sight the group Of high, rocky islets called "L~s
Coronadosn From thence 20 Point Iona the
course is N. I f., and the distsnce fifteen nan.
tical miles On a clear day "Los Coronados"
win serve as landmark and guide for vessels
coming from any direction.
Steer right through the kelp, giving Point
Iona berth Of one half mile. and IN few min
utes you will open Ballast Point, low beach Of
single stones forming q natural breakwater.
Then round up gradually, until you bring Bal
last Point In range with the easternmost house
on the Plays, and be pery careful mot 10 open more
CT de rillage, otherwise you will be too far 10
the east, and in danger Of getting aground on
Zunngo Shoal The breakers show its position.
During the summer, keep as close TO the bills,
on the port side, as your draft Of water will
allow, AZ you will then be able 70 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.
chor AZ you please