, 1875-02-06
NEAHRAY CORRESPONDENCE.


most severe ever witnessed in this
place. The Indians have no rec
objection of such cold weather. 1t
commenced with strong northeast
gales, continuing through the
month, with but few variations.
All the potatoes and other vegeta
bles are destroyed. We had no
mail for two weeks, and fears were
entertained for the safety of the
mail schooner, which left during
the bad weather, but she finally
made her appearance all right and
trim. All the streams in this vi
cinity were frozen, nine inches
thick in some places, yet the mean
of the thermometerw was 80 for the
month-the lowest II above zero.
The water fowls from the interior
streams and lakes were forced to
the salt water for food. Among
them were several flocks of swans
which looked grand with their
arched necks swimming in the bay.
We tried to capture some but did
not succeed.
The ship Pefcano which went
on shore at the west end of this
bay, ON the 10Th instant, during a
severe gale and snow-storrn, stands
erect on her rocky bed, and will
remain so for years il not gotten
off or broken up by man. She is q
sad monument of the many dan
gers which beset the mariner.
Speaking of that, l would state
for the benefit of those concerned,
and more particularly strange
ship-masters approaching this coast
in mid-winter, in Imry & Sons N.
w. Sailing Directions there is a
serious error regarding this Bay,
they quoting the Vancouver's pilot
for authority, which may cause
many strangers to avoid It when
perhaps they would seek refuge
here in northeast gales, when
bound in. The ship Pelicano could
have been safe at anchor in this
bay, and now at her destined port
if the captain had known more of
this hsrbor, or he may have been
prejudiced against it by the above
sailing directions.
Imry & Sons N. w. Sailing Di-
rections, page 223,spealing Of this
bay, says: Vessels should leave it
on the first appearance of north
east winds, and if too late and un-
able to clear WaadAh Island, may
with the assistance Of a chart run
between the island and the main
land. His directions for anchoring
are correct. The mistake is when
Waadah Island bears n. Z. by N.
where he says vessels may anchor,
would make Waadah Island
the weather shore with northeast
winds, and no difficulty getting out
by the main passage and impossi-
BILE to get out by the channel he
recommends.
Outward bound vessels want no
harbor in the Straits Of Fuca with
northeast winds, while inward
bound vessels il they can make
this bay and get an anchor down
according to the above directions,
are perfectly safe, with reasonable
ground tackle, no matter how hard
It blows from the northeast or south
cast. If the wind changes to the
westward a vessel can get under
way and out by either passage, and
make sail for her destination with
flowing sheet. Another thing
strange ship-masters ought to
know, is, that there are always
competent pilots ready to go to
their assistance at the first signal
of distress made of the bay.
l have been in and out of this
bay for the past twelve years, and
at one time pilot of the u S. S.
Nauagansett, and rode out a Sc
vere northeast gale here, / don't
hesitate TO say it is the best harbor
Of rrfage on the coast; and situated
as it j., at the mouth Of the Straits
Of Fuca, " ith no rocks only those
closoto shore and well defined by
kelp, with two open passages, and
ship masters by-coming here would
save money and anxious watches,
not to speak Of the wear and tear
of sails and rigging. During the
severe northeast gale, and at the
time the Pelicano went ashore,
there were lying in this bay,
one schooner, three steamers, a
ship and bark, in perfect safety.
r.
n....,-.. c,.,,,-.,,,. 4, c. p,plss