, 1857-07-03
From the Alta California
ShOaIMater Bay.


ShOaIWater Bay.
From a friend, who has long resided in
Washington Territory, we are indebted for
the following interesting intelligence, and
are promised further items regarding the
resources Of this remote portion of our
governmental possessions:
Shoawater Bay is one of the best har-
Dor between San Francisco and Fuca
Straits. Itis situated in the southwest
part of Washington Territory, and is
separated from ting Columbia river by a
narrow ridge of land. The entrance to the
bay is at its northern extremity, some twen-
ty-seven or eight miles north Of Cape Dis
appointment. The bay contains an area
of about two hundred square miles, and, as
its name indicates, is full of shoals or fats,
through which the various rivers that
empty into the bay have worn deep chan.
nels, where at low tide there is plenty Of
water for vessels Of light draft, and also
good anchorage There are two entrances
to this harbor, separated by low sand
island, called the north and south chan
nels. The northern channel is the one at
present in general use by the traders, and
is q fine beaten channel, of from five to six
fathoms Of water at low tide. The bar at
the entrance has from three to three and a
half fathoms on it at the lowest run Of
tides, and the rise of water at that point is
fifteen feet at high water The volume Of
water discharged from this bay not being
so great, or Of such velocity as the Colum-
bia river, does not create such heavy
swell as on the Columbia bar, making it
safer and easier for vessels to enter in
heavy weather. This bay is most admi-
rably adapted for the fitting of small vessels
for whaling purposes, and undoubtedly
before long many schooners will be employ
ed in that business and the cod fishery.
The shores Of the bay and interior are
covered with a dense growth of gigantic
trees of spruce, fir, hemlock, and cedar, with
occasional patches Of maple, ash and yell
low pine The facilities for procuring this
timber, either for mill use or for piles or
spars, is most excellent, and already many
cargoes have been taken for the San Fran
cisco market. The rich bottoms and fne
prarie lands along the numerous rivers and
streams have already attracted numerous
settlers, although there is plenty of room
for more $3.50 cd iifni19fqa ie'
The chief article of export at present il
oysters; for it is at this bay where all the
oysters are procured for the San Francisco
market, and annually, from fifty to sixty
thousand baskets of them are exported,
giving a lively trade to the hardy fishermen
engaged in that pursuit. Besides tho oys.
ter, other shell fish abound; crabs Of q
monstrous size, and most excellent favor,
clans Of dozen varieties, muscles, scollops,
sand Holsters, aud delicious clam called
the razOa,6sh. The waters are filed with
fish. Salmon Of several varieties are taken
in abundance; salmon-trout, sturgeon, her
ring, turbot founders, and o variety Of
small fry. The rivers and creeks abound
in fur animals, which, from not having been
hunted for many years, have increased
The beaver, otter, fox, martin,
seal, raccoon, mink, squirrel, birds and
wild fowl, are very abundant ia their sea-
son; and from the mouth of May to De
cember, the greatest varieties Of fruit and
berries can be had in the greatest abun-
dance. Shoalwater Bay is an Indians
Paradise, and every season the tribes from
all quarters resort there to get their sup
plies.
As harbor, Shoalwaier Bay is excel
lent, und as soon as the lighthouse which
has been ordered TO be built by Congress,
is completed, it must be port Of great
resort
The climate, soil, and productions Of this
Paradise Of the Pacific, will be the subjects
Of future articles.