Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1860-12-15

the fOckS anu DOlu SHOIcS.
Early in October, the Actire took the
party away and proceeded southward.
1t was George Davidson's intention to
spend the winter at Cape Mendoci-
no, for the purpose of accurately deter
mining its position, it being one of the
most prominent and important points
on the Pacific Coast, and to make a
survey for the purpose of selecting Il
suitable site for lighthouse. 1t was
too rough to effect a landing ut that
time, without incurring too great risk
of life and property. 1t was also so
rough on the Humboldt Bar as to pre-
vent the Actire from entering, else the
party would have landed there and
made an attempt to proceed overland.
They therefore were compelled to pro-
cccd to San Francisco.
George Davidson spent the greater
part of the winter in occupying an as
Economical station on Telegraph Hill ):
he spent few weeks in the vicinity Of
San Pedro and Los Angeles in selecting
the site for d base line, and making Il
reconnaissance for the triangulation of
the Southern Coast, and islands ada
cent. Mr.. Lawson was detailed for to-
biographical work ut Punta de los Reyes.
TIE WORK OF 1893.
In the spring of this year the party
went to San Pedro and cncamped in
the vicinity of the base line on the plain,
about nine miles from Los Angeles.
This base was measured, and the trian-
gnlation commenced, when the party
was ordered to proceed on the steamer
1ctirc. for the determination of points
on the Northern Coast, in connection
with the reconnaissance then to be
made, a portion of the base above men
toned ran through pond. All hands
were continually wet; the strong, cool,
westerly winds continued each day,
causing George Davidson severe at
tack of the rheumatism; and, from that
time, his health continued to fail. Ills
work on the reconnaissance trip was Sc
we're, landing being effected every
night with Instruments. A portable
observatory was set up, and, with his
assistant, Lawson, remained there until
daylight, when boat was sent and
everything removed on board. Until
the vessel reached l1nrt QrterA, aall.Hi4se-tt aall.Hi
all the skctching was done by Mr.. Da-
wilson, he having volunteered to do
this in the absence of the draughtsman
of the photographic party.
On the way Northward, orders had
been received to proceed to the Gulf of
Georgia, and make a survey oftlc Ca
nal dc llaro. The triangulation of this
was made by Mr.. Davidson, and the n.y.
geographic party made the necessary
soundings. Mr.. DIS health would not
permitof his attempting any active duty
during the succeeding winter. Mr..
Lawson proceeded to Tomalcs Bay, and
made survey of the entrance. In en-
tcring the bay, the vessel on which he
and his party had taken passage struck
on the bar, and became a total wreck.
All the instruments and most valuable
part of the equilmge were saved, in cl-
tccting (Which Mr.. l.. and his men were
very near being lost.
THE WORK OF 1854.
In the spring, the party proceeded to
Humbolt Bay, having to lie off the CHI
trance fourteen days in heavy weather,
before the bar was smooth enough to
attempt crossing it. Here the usual
routine of astronomical and Topographic
ical work was executed, and in June
they returned to this port. Mr.. ID. IIav-
ing received orders to purchase u small
vessel suitable for the work, and pro-
cecd northward to make the survey of
Rosario Straits and small portion Of
the Canal de 1laro, left undone last
year. The brig now called the II. II.
Famt'eroy was purchased, in which the
party went up the coast. The work
ordered was finished, and when the
party returned here, the vessel was laid
up for the winter, and Davidson and
Lawson proceeded to the Atlantic
States, on their first visit since coming
in 1850.
THE WORK FROM 1866 to 1860.
After their return in the spring of
55, the vessel was made ready, and
they proceeded northward; and during
this and the two following summers
the triangulation of Admiralty Inlet
was carried up to Vashon's 3D., from a
base measured at Port Townsend, w.
L. At such times as were most conve-
nient, Lawson was detached to make
detailed Typographical surveys Of the
more important harbors and bays to
which the triangulation had extended.
In the summer of 1857, DIS health
failed so much as to prevent his attend
ing to any work whatever, and at one
time serious fears were entertained for
l;r lie, l., No..o.,.Lo.. 1QEz