, 1853-06-04

'''4'i- '.At NishA NNlAhlA " lNIl ~ htNtl tif.
Half dozen lg houses, with as many she'd,
and pig sly or two, are all that it can
boast of, and even these appear to lie rapid
| J going to decay.
The Company Pay little regard to it, and
the idea Of holding or improving it as a
post, has long since been given up. The
headquarters of their operations have been
removed to Vancouver, eighty miles further
up the river, since which Astoria has mere
ly been held for the convenience Of their
vessels 1t boasts of but one field, and that
was in potatoes, which | can, however,
vouch for as being very fine. In former
times, II had It's gardens, forts, and banquet.
ing halls and fom all accounts, when it
was the head quarters Of the Northwest
Company, during their riyalship with the
Hudson Bay Company, there was as jovial
a st residing here, as ever were met togcth-
er. ! have had the pleasure of meeting
with several Of the survivors, who have rcS
counted their banquetings, &c.
THE L. S. ship Peacock" Capt W.
L. Hudson, commanding, and the schooner
" Flying Fish, reached soundings off the
bar Of the Columbia river on the 18th Of
July, 1871. On the following day the
" Peacock was wrecked The Narrative
proceeds j
The Vinccnnos having sailed, | at once
set about preparing for the survey of the
river. found that, agreeably to my first
instructions, Captain Hudson had lost no
time in despatching the parties for the inte-
rior, but the orders had sent by Mr. Wal
dron, arrested their progress. | issued
these orders because l anticipated that it
would be necessary 10 make some change in
the route they were to pursue, and in the
mean time they would have more opportu-
nifty 10 prepare themselves for the journey.
Finding that Mr.. Dana had not set out
for the interior, now saw and regretted
the necessity of countermanding the orders
for the party that was destined for the
Rocky Mountains ON
The boats of the Peacock were ordered
to be fully manned and fitted out with all
the requisites for surveying duties, and Off
GERS attached to each.
On the morning Of the 9Th of August,
we began the survey. Some time had been
before spent in taking few angles and
Houndings, but with so little success, that
rejected the whole. The weather proved
uniayorable ijr any Of our operations, ex-
cept that Of putting up signals. We en-
camped at night on the small sandy island
in the centre Of the bay, where we were
very uncomfortable, for the sand flew about
and covered everything. In the morning
we had a thick fog, when determined to
go to Bakers Bay, where We could obtain
water for that Of the Columbia is not fresh
as low down as this point.
We found the tide exceedingly strong,
and having some apprehcnsions that the
boats might lose their way, thought it
better for US 10 make for the Chinook shore
and follow it until we reached the cape. II
may seem strange that this precaution shoe
he taken, but it is necessary at all times,
even in clear weather, for the tide is fire.
qucnty so strong, that il cannot be stemmed
by oars aud too much caution cannot be
observed in passing across the bay. As
little frequented as il is, many accident have
occurred to boats and canoes, by their being
swept BY the tide into the breakers on the
bar, where all hands have pcrished The
Indians are very cautious, and 1t is only at
Certain times Of the tide that they will at
tempt to make the passs ge.
We reached Bakers Bay in two hours,
and formed our encompment; and here we
determined 10 remain until the weather
should become clear, and allow us to pro-
cecd with our duties.
As no news had been received from Pas.
sod Midshipman Eds party, whom il will
be recollected had despatched from Ms.
qually to Gray's Harbor, by the Chickceles.
and as the time for which he had provisions
had expired, ! became apprchensivo lest
some accident might have detained him.
therefore despatched Lieutenant De Haven
and Acting Master Baldwin, with few In
dams, along the coast to Gray's Hlrbor,
which is about forty miles distant, to convey
a supply Of provisions for that party, and to
bring intelligence Of them. This duty was
executed by these gentlemen with prompt
ness, and they reported that the party were
struggling with difficulties Of no ordinary
character, of which shall have occasion to
speak hereafter.
The weather continued rainy and cold /;
but this did not secm to trouble our native
pilots, Ramsey and his brother George.
While we were preparing our huls, these
men were seen upon the bank, deliberately
stripping Of their clothes, which they care
fully folded up, and placed UPON the ground
for pillows; they then lay down, and COW
ering themselves with a blanket, slept as
sound as if on beds Of down. | happened
to see them arising in the morning, and they
appeared refreshed and perfectly content,
although it had raincd hard all night
These men were exceedingly fond Of
rum, the hope of obtaining which, when