, 1860-05-04

HARBoRs, BAYS STRAITS AND SOUNDS OF WASH,
INGToN.
The waters of the Straits of San Juan
de Fuca, Admiralty Inlet, Hoods Canal
and Puget Sound-commonly known in the
Territory and abroad as Puget Sound y
ouly-have a shore line Of about sixteen
hundred miles, and probably compose the
most magnificent system Of harbors to be
found in the world As some gross mis-
statements have been made in reports Of
certain Pacific Railroad conventions, sta
ting that there tcere no harbOrS in Puget
Sound, and which will be referred to
hereafter - the detailed description here
given will be mainly from the official re,
ports Of officers who have made thorough
surveys Of these waters, and whose state
ments therefore cannot be disputed, ignored
or doubted and should they, the Bays,
Inlets aud Sounds themselves are where
they were, permanent and eternal witnesses
Of the truthful descriptions OF such men as
Capt. Vancouver, of the English Navy,
Commodore Wilkes of the U. S. Exploring
Expedition, and the officers of the U. S
Coast survey service.
General Statement Of Com. Wilkes.
The Straits of Juan de Fuca, including
the waters of Admiralty Inlet, Hoods
Canal and Puget Sound, were all accurate
ly surveyed by the Exploring Expedition.
Nothing can exceed the beauty of these
waters and their safety; not shoal exists
within the Straits Of Juan de Fuca, Admi
rally Inlet 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. They
cover an area of about 1000 square miles.
The shores Of all these Inlets and Bays are
remarkably bold; so much so, thattn many
places ships sides would strike the shore
before the keel would touch the ground
The country by which these waters are
surrounded is remarkably salubrious, and
offers every advantage for the accommOda-
ton Of q vast commercial and military
marine, with convenience for docks, and a
great many sites for towns and cities at
all times well supplied with water, and ca
pable Of being provided with every thing
by the surrounding country, which is we'll
adapted for agriculture.
The Straits of Juan de Fuca are ninety
i've miles in length, and have an average
width of eleven miles at the entrance
(eght miles in width) no danger exists,
and It may be safely navigated throughout
No part Of the world affords fner in.
land Sounds, or greater number Of har-
6Ors than are found within the Straits Of
Juan de Fuca, capable Of receiving the
largest class of vessels, and without dan
ger in them which is not visible. From
the rise and fall Of the tides, eighteen
feet) every facility is offered for the erec-
tlon OF works for q great maratime nation.
The country also affords as many sites for
water power as any other"
Besides speaking in general terms Of
these waters, the great number of harbors,
anchorage, &C., Com Wilkes makes special
mention of quite number, among which
are the following
Neeah or Scarborough Harbor, lying
On the south side Of the Straits, just within
Cape Flattery, offers tolerably safe and
convenient anchorage, though exposed to
northwest gales.
New Dunginess is . safe roadkstead,
and lies eighty miles from Cape Flattery.
y The point of New Dunginess is
well adapted for the position of light
house it projects into the Straits, and
would be seen a long distance, both up and
down. The water close to the point is
deep. A vessel may approach to within u
quarter Of mile, and after turning it, safe
and secure anchorage may be had in from
ten to fifteen fathoms water. 1t is extern
slVe enough to accommodate very large
ueet." A lighthouse was erected on this
point in the summer of 1851, under the
Superintendence of Isaac W. Smith, Esq,
typographical Engineer.
Budd's Harbor lies adjoining it, and
Is connected with the roadstead of New
Du1giness by narrow channel, which has
depth of two and half fathoms, and
may be easily deepened if necessary. 1t is
hue and very capacious harbor, being
IOGr miles long and one and half miles
Mlue, and perfectly secure at all times for
repairs.
Port Discovery, seven miles to the
southeast Of New Dunginess, is very easy
VI access, and well protected harbor; but