, 1853-08-20

with dispatches to Nlsqually, to pass across
the country to the Cowltz, and thence down
the Columbia to Astoria. Among the des
patches was an order to all the ward-room
oflicers Of the Peacock, to rcTo,t to Il in
writing the circumstances that led 10 the
loss Of that ship.
On the 3lst, towards noon, the wind and
tide permitting, VIC got under way and stood
down the Straits Of De Fuca lut, owing
to the light winds, we made little progress.
OF the northern side of these straits it had
been my intention 10 make a very pariicu-
lar examination, after completing the sur
vey of the Canal de ArIo. / have under
stood that there is fine harbor near the
eastern end of the island, where post has
been lately established by the Hudson Bay
Company that of San Juan, near the mouth
of the straits, the Porpoisc was ordered to
survey on the 2d of Aug eust, while the Vim
cennes was engaged in the survey of Neah
Harbor, lying on the south side Of the
straits, just within Cape Faitery. Port
San Juan wGs found 10 afford little shelter,
being exposed 10 the southwest winds, and
the heavy swell of the ocean and is re-
ported as being unsafe, except for temporary
anchorage.
Neah Harbor is but small indentation
in the coast, which is partly sheltered on
the northeast by Neah Island. II is the po-
sition where the Spaniards attempted to cs-
tablish themselves in 1879, and which they
called Port Nunez Gaona. The remains
of an old fort are still to be perceived, and
some bricks were found that were supposed
to have belonged TO it. Water is TO be OBJ
tanned here in some quantity. and a small
vessel would have no difficulty in Getting
enough II offers a tolerablv GOOD anchor
age, though somewhat exposed 10 the north
west oales. vet bv anchorino we'll in which
a small vessel NAV do. protce,iop even from
these gales might be had.
On the nio6t of the 9d we had an eclipse
Of the moon.
The ship, on anchoring, was surrounded
by many canoes Of the Classet lndans,who
inhabit the country around Cape Flaiery.
They were well disposed to trade, and were
greatly surprised that so large a ship should
want no fnrs, which were Of several kinds /;
the sea otter was that most priced, and held
al very exorbitant prices, more than they
could be bought for in the United States
Gcorg, 3, the chief Of the Tatoache tribe, as
he terms himself, was on board all day
He speaks few words of English, and is
fine looking man. 1t was difficult TO make
him or any of his people understand the use
of a man of-war, the number Of people on
board, aud the care that was taken to keep
them from coming on board. He showed
il by continually asking, "What for so big
ship : What for so many mans l"-all
probably Proceeding from his disappoint-
ment in not being able to sell his skins. !
succeeded in g,tling his Likeness with the
camera lucida, with which he was much
pleased; and although at first silent, and
apparently surly, he finally became quite
lalkalve.
On nv remarkino \ scar on tbe bidro of
b;s nose and o,Lors in the ,ribe who had
The same mari. he told me il was the custom
with ,hon, ,o cu, tho nose when tbev had
t,Io, u,I,oIe which tbev considered a
yreai exploil The 6sbino season is in Au.
mi and Ssntember Their mode of can
snr;ng a wbaIo ;s with Lnoys made of seal
skins which are Llown nm aCtcr the fashion
If blsdJcrs. and form larup oblonq float /;
,Lsss orc fonr feet Iong nv c;cb,ecn inches
or two c,et in diameter. and are attached
by Tone n iLs barnoon or smear. which is
,6roun Al tbe whale and becoming la,lrn d
10 him prevents his diving down 10 any
grco, dsnIb aGer having humber of thrso
attached IN him he is unable TO ouit lbo
surface and is finally captured. An those
whose seal-skins are attached, now divide
tbe bootv. those who are entitled 10 a share
arc easily known. for each float has n differ
ent pattern painted upon it. The number
Of whales io6sn is rrportcd a, about twenty
durino the season. and A quantity of oil Is
obtained from III I'm by the Cadborouyb. a
schooner belonging 10 the Hudson Bay Com,