, 1853-06-25

| ui al instant. inns Taught me not 10 venture
upon such an experiment agsin, and ] felt
thankful 10 escape as We did. The Cow
litl is not nayigablc, except at high water
during the spling and fall and even then 1t
is difficult to ascend, on account Oi the
strength Of the current.
We had now oyritakcn the sounding par
ties, and, aided by the boals Of the brig
were enabled TO push the work towards a
close. Having reached the influence of the
tide below Oak Point, all fears Of the ague
and fever vanished we had indeed been
extremely fortunate in exemption from this
disease, and only those suffered from lie at
tacks who had been before exposed Those
affected belonged chiefly to the Peacock,
and the larger portion were Sandwich
islanders. The crew of the Porpoise were
generally exempt from it all recovered from
the slight attacks under n simple treatment.
| | felt not a little satisfaction at diSappoint-
ing the knowing ones, who had prognOEi-
Gated the certainty of my having all hands
sick and dying by attempting the survey in
the unhealthy season. When We reached
Astoria, we had nearly all hands on duty.
On the Goth, We had again reached Cath
lamet Point, the lower end Of Puget Island.
The brig passed down the usual channel on
the south side, while surveyed the northern
passage. The latter is about four miles in
length.
Puget Island affords no land ft for cult
Walton, and during the season freshets is
overfowed. 1t is fringed Hronud its bor-
ders with cottonwood, willow, piRe, and
hazel, &C.; but it may be considered yayue-
less.
On the Goth of September we again
reached the Pillar Rock, and on the 81 Of
October we passed through the Tongue
Point Channel. Before doing this, We took
the precaution TO buoy il out, and then
iowed the vessels through at high water
This enabled me 10 lay down its torluous
course with accuracy, although was aware
that there is little probability Of its remain
ing over the season without some material
change. The new and direct channel dis
covered by US, leading up from Tongue
Point, will supcrsedc the Necessity Of using
it, and from'irs direct course, is more likely to
be permanent; but the channels in this riv-
er will be always more or less subject 10
change, from the impediments the large trees
drifting down cause, wh"n they ground on
the shoals.
The same evening We anchored about two
miles above Astoria, and is order to lose no
time, proceeded there in my boat 10 make
arrangements for getting off stores, and en-
barking every thing previous to our dcPar-
ture.
| found that Purs3r Speidrn had pre-
pared for us ten thousand pounds Of the best
bread we had had during the cruise this
had been accomplished by his great perse-
verance and attention TO the business, and |
was thus relieved from all anxiety in regard
10 that indispensable article Of the ration.
On the first of October, the Porpoiss an
chored at Astoria, and every body was now
engaged in expediling the embarkation Of
stores oil bored of both vessels the officers
were detailed temporarily to the Oregon,
whilst the necessary observations for the
thermometers and magnetism were Ogain
made.
1t now became important that the two
larger vessels should be got to sea as early
as possible. therefore determined to seize
the first opportunity that should offer for
crossing the bar, and 10 return myself in the
tender 10 complete the survey. We, in
conssqunce, proceeded on the ID to Bakers
Bav, whilst the boats were still employed
under Lieutnenat De Haven in taking sound
ings. Acting Master Knox and Passed Mid
shipman Reynolds, were now ordered 10
the Porpoise and Oregon, for the purpose Of
plotting them TO sea, when an opportunity
should serve, In Bakers Bay we found
the Company's schooner, the CadboroUgh,
which had been waiting three weeks for an
opportunity to get over the bar.
As the Peacock's launch could not be
taken with u.s. had at one time an inlen-
ton of sending her along the coast to San
Francisco. The weather and advanced
state Of the season, however. would have
rendered such a voyage dangerous | there
fore came to the determination Of providing
her every essential 10 ft her 10 he used as
a pilot boat in the mouth Of the river, or for
the relief OF vessels in distress Mr.. Birnie,
on asking him 10 take charge of her for the
object, would have readily consented 10 do
SO for the Company, but had no authority.
! therefore Immediately wrote TO DR..
Mclaughlin, to say that ] had'placed the
launch at his disposal, and to request that
she might be put under the supervision Of
the Company's officers, for the above pnr-
poses. She was completely fitted, and de-
liyered over 10 Mr.. Burnie. In Consequence
Off departure from the coast / received
no answer from him, but have understood
from other sources that ;he boat had been
taken charge Of. Her Construction was ad-
m'rably adapted for that purpose, and am
sure that if any disaster should occur, the
assistance she will render will be of great
ben6t.
On the 9th, the prospect of passing the
h1T was favorable. and Al N SO,r6y =, ,tS