Polynesian., 1860-01-07
No. 36.
Ghe polpnesian.
Guano and Sal. Discoveries.

Mr.. Selim E. Woodwork, Of San Francisco,
furnishes to the Aha California some interesting
information in reference to the large salt ard qua
no lagoon, or lake of Lower California first brought
into notice as "a whaling ground some three years
since. This inlet extends, adjacent to the coast,
from latitude 26 . 40'' to % 4,"about one hun
dred miles in length, by from twenty to ifty miles
in breadth. 1t was first entered by Captain Scam
mon, of the whaling ship Ocean Bird, some three
years ago, who found il abounding in whales, it
being the resort of the female whales for calving,
from December to April. Since that period, nu-
merocs vessels from the Sandwich Islands have yis-
tied the place but the difficulty encountered in
efectingan entrance has debarred many from reap
ing much advantage from the attempt.
The following particulars we derive from the
source referred TO- and we deem them of sufficient
Importance to warrant republication
The channel lies some distance north of the 9th
parallel of latitude or below the southern end of
Cedros Island. The land is low and sandy, and
covered with stunted shrubbery, which, however,
is invisible some distance at sea. The sea breaks
heavily in bad weather two miles ont, and owing
to this, and the fact that the channel is crooked,
the approach is difficult and dangerous for those
who are not acquainted. At high tide three faith
ons water can be carried in but only twelve feet
at low tide. For this reason, only small ships
should venture to cross the bar, which assumes to
strangers a very formidable appearance. Alter
crossing the bar the water deepens to FIVE and soon
after to seven fathOms. which depth is found in
nearly every part. The entrance Is between low
sand-pits, not more than thousand yards apart.
From this the lake opens at once, and presents q
broad and fine looking expanse of water. 1t abounds
in seal and whale. Our informant, in speaking of
the latter remarked that 'the place alive with
them" 1t is not likely that they will prove so
abundant after the approaching whaling feet have
killed of the cow whales, and driven them away
from their ancient haunt. The Mexican Govern
ment quick to profit by the enterprise and industry
of others, have already established agent there,
who exacts tonnage dues from all vessels entering
for whaling purposes. Tue waters being generally
smooth, the fisheries are pursued with success.
Other valuable resources have been discovered
in this lake. In it are five islands, situated to-
wards the western border, two of which are found
to contain immense deposits Of guanO, and more
less exists all the others. The largest island
is about three miles long by mile in width, and
this alone it is estimated that there upwards
of two hundred thousand tons of guano. Speci-
mems of this were brought here by Capt. Scammon,
who came up on the last trip of the steamer SEND
tor. 1t proves to be precisely the same as that
found on Eide Island, being seal and bird depos-
its. In fact. all the guanO found along that coast
is of the quality. These, Of course, come
under the contract of Captain lsham with the Mex
lean GuanO Company, who have denounced and
have probably commenced working them by this
some time carrying guano to the vessels loading at
Eide from the small adjacent islands Elide is
now well cleared off, and the next ship will COM
pletely exhaust its stock of guano, when the seat
of operations will be removed to the principal one
in the group lately discovered. The last feet OF
whaers who entered arrived too late in the season
for all of them to ell up, and to atone for this.
several of them loaded with guanO from the prin-
cipal island. This has now been stopped by the
agent Of the Company.
Still another resource has been discovered. I'm
mense deposits of salt exist along the margins of the
lake, produced by the process of evaporation which
has been going on for ages. A Mexican has secured
from his Government the exclusive right to work
and export this and he had at last accounts seve-
raj schooner loads ready for shipment. These salt
deposits of infinite extent, and exist in all di-
rections around the borders of the lake. There
are also evidences of great mineral wealth in the
highlands.