, 1853-05-21

of Whidby's Island. Here We anchored
before sunset, and named it Pilots Cove,
from the circumstance Of having BEEN here
joined by the first officer of the Hudson Bay
Company's steamer, commanded by Captain
M'Niel, who on hearing Of our arrival,
kindly sent him down 10 pilot up the ship.
We were under way soon after daylight,
taking advantage Of the tide, and continued
beating as long as il lasted. This was about
two hours, by which time we reached an
other small cove. This was named Apple
tree Cove, from tn, numbers OF that tree
which we're in blossom around IFS shores
This cove answers well all the purposes OF
a temporary anchorage. Before the tide be-
gan to make in onr favor, VIC had finished
the survey of the cove. We again sailed,
and at dark anchored under the west shore,
near fine bay which the next day was
surveyed, nd named Port Madison. This
is an excellent harbor, afording every pos
sible convenience for shipping.
The scenery of this portion of Admiralty
Inlet resembles strongly parts of the Hudson
river, particularly those about Poughkeepsle
and above that place. The distant high
lands, though more lofty, reminded us Of the
Kaatskills. There were but few lodges ol
Indians seen on our way up and the whole
line OF shore has the appearance Of having
never been disturbed by man.
The wind proved fair the same afternoon,
and we passed up the inlet, taking the pas
sage TO the right of Vashon's Island, and
finally, towards evening, anchored just be-
low the narrows leading into Puget Sound,
within few yards of the shore and under
high perpendicular bank, in sixteen fathoms.
The shores of all these inlets and bays
arc remarkably bold SO much so, that in
many places ships sides would strike the
shore before the keel would touch the
ground.
On the 1lth of May, the morning proved
calm, Of which took advantagefto survey
this part of the sound, which we accom-
plisbed before the afternoon, when the tide
served MS. At 8 P. N. we again weighed
our anchors, but had great difficulty in get
ting beyond the reach of the eddy winds
Occasioned BY the high banks. The scenery
about this pass becomes very 6ne on all
sides are high projecting bluffs Of sandstone,
rising almost PeFpendicularly from the water,
with great variety Of shrubs along their
base. The tide, which runs through the
narrows with great velocity, causes many
eddies and whirlpools, through which ship
is carried with extraordinary rapidity, while
the danger seems 10 be imminent. The Por-
poise succeeded IN entering The narrows
first, and IN a few minutes was lost sight Of !;
The ViDcennes entered, and seemed at first
to be hurrying to destruction, with her
sails quite aback. We were carried onward
wholly BY the force of the tide, and had
backed and filed only once before we found
ourselves in as spacious q sound as the one
we had just lefl. This narrow pass seems
as ifintended BY its natural facilities to afford
every means for lie perfect defence
Twelve miles more brought us to the an
chorage of Nisqually, where both vessels
dropped their anchors about eight O'Clock.
Here we found an English steamer under
going repairs. Soon after we anchored, !
had The pleasure of visit from Mr.. Ander-
son, who is charge Of the fort, and Captain
M'Neil. They gave me a warm welcome,
and offered every assistance in their power
to aid me in my operations.
Nothing can exceed the beauty oflhesewa-
and their safety mot shoal exists within
the Straits of Juan de Fuca, Admiralty Inlet,
Puget Sound, or Hoods Canal, that can in
any way interrupt their navigation by a
seVenty-four gun ship. / venture nothing
in saying, there is no country in the world
that possesses waters equal to these.
The anchorge of Nisqually is very con-
tracted, in Consequence Of the rapid shelV>
ing Of the bank, that soon drops off into
deep Eaicr. The shore rises abruptly, to
height Of about two hundred feet, and on
the top Of the ascent is an extended plain,
covered with pine, oak, and ash trees, scat
tered here and there so as to form a park
like scene. The hillside is mounted by a
well-constructed road, Of easy ascent
From The summit of the road the view is
beautiful, over the sound and its many
islands, with Mount Olympus covered with
snow for background. Fort Nisqually,
with IFS out buildings and enclosure, stands
back about half mile from the edge Of the
tableland.
In the morning found that the ship lay
opposite TO a small run Of fresh water, and
finding the situation an agreeable one, the
Vincennes was safely moored there, and
boats hoisted out.
The Porpoise, with two ofthe Vincernes'
boats, under Lieutenant-C Comm0ndsnt Ring
gold, were directed 10 take up the survey
Of Admiralty Inlnt. The launch, first cut
ter and two boals Of the Vincennes were
placed under the command Of Lieutenant
johnson of the Porpoise. With him were as
sociated DR.. Hickering, Mr.. T. w. Waldron
ofthe PorpOise, Mr.. Breckenridge, Sergeant
Stearns, and two men. Eighty days were
allowed for the operations of this party,
which il was intended should cross the
Cascade range Of mountains, towards the
Columbia, proceed thence to Fort Colvillc,
thence south TO Lapwai, the mission station