The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1868-11-21

anu ends with Inc oil kelp on the n0ftl
edge Of the channel. 800 yds. from it
shore end, and $50 yds. from tho edge o
the channel, there is a rock awash at Low
water. The inner reef starts from tht
large rock and runs go yds. out, termin
ating at the edge Of the channel, also. Be
tween the sand spit and this reef, runi
the north or rather the only we'll defined
channel existing at the present time
Through this channel, choosing the bea
water, vessels will not get shoaler cast
than 8 feet at mean low water, or 1G1 Il
II at meaa highwater
As its most narrow part, there il
width of l68 feet carrying feet; 42(
feet carrying s feet and 600 feet carry
ing 7 feet The shoal water is 600 feci
across ia the channel, vessels getting II
and Is feet up to it and inside.
On tho sand spit before mentioned
there is, in some places, a depth of only
2 or 3 feet at low watcr, and the sea
breaks on it almost constantly. The YES
sells formerly running in and out Of tho
Bay crossed this sand spit. On their
ranges we found 2! feet in the shoalest
spot at mean low water.
As better water has always been claim
cd for these ranges, | am inclined te
think that the sand spit is shifting and
would probably show an increased depth
Of water after the winter gales The
main current Of the river sets very strong
ly towards this spit at ebb tide. The
channel on the contrary may shoal some
in winter, but having one rocky edge
viii, it is probable, regain its depth in
summer.
The shoa water 10 crossing the Bar
through the channel continues so short q
distance and the channel itself IL SO
straight and we'll defined in ordinary
weather, by the breakers on each side,
THAT with pilot or chart to guide them,
vessels drawing 10, II, or even 13 feet,
can by choosing the time Of the tide, CO.
ter aud depart with perfect safety.
In this it has decided advantage over
the more toriuous channels of other
places on the coast. Should the harbor
become of sufficient Importance 10 justify
it, a steam tug could take vessels out and
in drawing even more than the above
mentioned depth Of water.
My Report 10 the Superintendent oi
the Coast Survey on the completion of,
our work, will embrace a recommends.
ton for the placing Of buoys on the shoal
spots Of tho outside ledge of rocks, and
should he deem j, justified by the import
ance of the place, 1t will be forwarded TO
the Light House Department for action.
This ledge once marked aud defined thus,
viii be 10 further obstacle.
The accompanying chart does not oi
course embrace but portion of the work
already completed, but sufficient TO show
the character Of the bottom. Profiles OF
Of the bottom are placed on the chart and
their positions indicated.
The soundiugs arc all reduced to mean
low water, viz: mean Of the lowest Of
low waters observed during the progress
Of the Survey. The mean rise of the
tide Is II feet At the full and change
of the moon the high waters viii rise
higher, and the low waters fall lower
than the above, and consequently the
depth of water on the bar will be
greater at high tide, and lower at low
tide. Accurate tables Of the exact rise
and fall above the plane Of reference
(mean low water) will be given when the
chart is published. In heavy north west
or south east weather, the tides arc sensi-
bly, affected bY the wind. The highest
tide ever kuN here from that cause
rose ID feet above the plane of reference.
4 beacon has been erected on the sand
dunes back of the South Beach to be kept
in range with the Flagstaff to enter the
north channel through the best water.