Los Angeles daily herald., 1876-02-20
A Water Terminus.

Some time ago, while coming down
from San Francisco on the steamer
Senator, Capt. SToTHARD pointed out
to us cove or bay about twenty miles
above Santa Monica which he said OF.
fered the safest anchorage for vessels
during a stress of weather to be found
between San Francisco and San Diego.
He stated that the entrance was easy
and the water deep in both the chan
mel and harbor. We have since been
furnished with the following informa-
ton relative to this cove and sur
roundings, supplied by GEO. DAVID
SON, of the United States Coast Sur
vey, who examined the locality with
view of selecting a site for what is
now known as the Hueneme light
house:
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 2Sth 1871.
Prof. Benjamin Pierce, Superinten-
dent U. S. Coast Survey, Cambridge,
Mass.-Dear Sir: During my examin-
alton of the Southern Coast of Califor-
mia ls.st summer, was impressed with
the Importance of Dune Cove, about
two miles northeast and eastward of
Point Dune, as harbor of refuge for
vessels in heavy northeast weather.
l was at Point Dune during the heav-
lest northeaster of the season, and Wis.,
tied the Cove at the time. There was
smooth water at the anchorage and
vessels could have lain there without
discomfort or danger, as the tend of
the shore from Point Dune to Cove is
almost northeast by north. The pre-
vailing westerly winds blow almost
directly off shore at the anchorage.
Assistant Greenwell in 1866 and 1856
frequently used this Cove as an anchor
age and reported favorable upon it.
For some years it has been OCCASION
ally used by Captains who knew it's
advantages. 1t has no known outly-
ing danger, and good depth of water
can be carried close in, but no hydro
graphy survey has been made there.
The usual practice of vessels under
stress of northeast weather, not know
ing the value of Dune Cove, is to run
for San Pedro anchorage about forty
miles to the leeward. On account of
the position it holds near the throat
of the eastern part of Santa Barbara
channel, and its advantages as a ref
uge from heavy northeast weather,
recommend that light house with
light of the 4th order be placed upon
Point Dune. The formation of the
point is peculiar and characteristic,
having an elevation of 20afeet with low
land behind it, and forming notable
landmark. There is view of it in
the Coast Pilot, page Is, and I will
furnish another from Balona. Fhe
topography has been executed along
the coast from the westward to point
almost abreast of Dune Cove. Build
ing material can be obtained in the
vicinity, and materials easily landed
at the Cove. The point of Cove is up
on the Rancho Topanga Malibou, for
which United States patent has been
issued. GEO. DAVIDSON,
Asst. L. S. Coast Survey.
Here is something of Importance
which has hitherto escaped the notice
of our railroad builders. Don MATEO
KELLER informs us that this harbor is
easily reached by railroad from this
city. If this is true, and we. have no
doubt it is, We suggest to the officers
of the Southern Pacific Railroad, the
expediency of examining the harbol
and route, with view of making il
the terminus of the road they propose
to build to deep water from their new
depot IN this city,.