The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1879-05-02
From the GAZETTE, Nov. l6, 1871
A EFarDor of Refuge for the Pa
cific C0aSt.


somewhere on the Paifc coast, north OF San
Francisco. is necessity, is fact so evident
and so universally admitted that it IS hardly
worth while to argue it. All seatarlng men
know that this coast, in the winter season,
is rough and dangerous one; and even III
summer anything but pleasant If proof
were necessary, we might point to the large
number of vessels that stand on the list as
missing. And it is not strange that this
should be the case when we consider that on
a whole coast line of about twelve hundred
miles there is but one harbor (San francisco
that can be entered i'll nearly all kinds OF
weather, and there are times when even this
is not approachabe. Between San Francis
co and Cape Flattery, distance OF about
seven hundred miles, the coast Is mostly
bold and rugged, with not one inlet, island,
cape or headland behind which vessel
might find shelter from the heavy winter
gales And so many poor mariner has seen
his disabled and helpless vessel sinking
under him. perhaps in sight Of the land,
whose appearance only increases his danger,
for to attempt to enter any of the few bar
harbors along the coast would be rushing to
certain destruction. But this want has long
since attracted the attention of the Govern
ment, and preliminary surveys hive been
made No point, however, has been selected
yet, and therefore it is subject for discus
sion. 1t will hardly be questioned that the
proposed work should be located north of
San Francisco. The line of bad weather is
not only north of San Francisco, but north
of Cape Mendocino. IT must be then some
where between Cape Mendocino and Cape
Flattery. 1t should be as near central as
possible, so that California, Oregon and
Washington Territory may share equally its
i
trict it would seem to follow that it must
be located on it's coast. California presents
a number of places which claim attention,
but really only two come within the limit
before mentioned, all others being too far
south. The two places are Trinidad and
Crescent City. But this being work in
which the whole Pacific coast is interested,
State lines should not be considered. The
three great and principal objects to be ar
rived at are
lst The place most central and convent
ent as harbor of refuge.
I'd. A place afor,!ing the greatest COM
mercial advantages. And
Sd. A place presenting the least engineer
ing difficulties.
The claims of Trinidad, Crescent City,
Port Oxford and Cape Grago have been pret-
ty thoroughly presented and advocated.
But the point to which | desire now to call
attention is Cape Fouiweaiiler. The cape is
situated in latitude 44.40 and is about so
miles south of Columbia river and about 81
miles north of Yaquina Bay. In order tc
present the matter clearly 1 herewith sub
init a sketch which is taken from the official
survey made by Capt. A. w. Chase the
scale being reduced just one half. This maj
shows that reef or ledge of rocks lies di
rectly off the mouth of YaGuina, about q
mile from the shore, and in a line with the
outer end of Cape Foulweather. 1t extends
up to within about q mile OF the cape. 1t is
q broken ledge, coming nearly to the surface
in some places, with not more than three tC
four fathoms anywhere on its line, and witt
depth Of from six to seven fashoms be
tween it and the shore. From the north
head of Yaquina, running out in south.
westerly direction toward the reef is solid
ledge of rocks mostly bare at low water
Now, it must e apparent to any one at ;
glance that if this ledge could be built NJ
above high water, and carried out until i
intersects the outer ledge, and then this sea
wall continued upon the outer reef towards
this cape, it would form basin in which all
kinds of vessels could lie with safety. Il
would form a protection against all the
would constitute the north side of the lar
Dor. Besides forming perfect harbor an
swering all the wants of commerce, such {
work would undoubtedly greatly improve
the harbor of Yaquina, which has already
the capacity of admitting vessels of l3 feet
draft, as shown by the report of Capt
Chase, which is herewith submitted. The
reason why it would improve the harbor o
Yaquina is obvious, wall running out
| from Yaqiiina head in a line with the pres
ent channel would not only protect the same
from the westerly swell, but by contracting
the flow of water into more narrow chan
mel it would naturally become deeper from
the increased velocity of the current Sc
the same work that would constitute a new
and perfect harbor would also greatly i'm
prove one already existing. The Govern
ment has already expended $4,000 il
building lighthouse at each end of thi.
proposed work. There is one on Yaquini
head. AS harbor of refuge, the point i.
central, being nearly midway between Capt
Mendocino and Cape Flattery. In com
mercial point of vie@, it has advantage.
over any other place yet named, as it woult
be only about forty miles from the very cen
ter of the great Willamette Valley, with
which it may be connected by railroad
through natural pass in the mountain sucl
as does not exist anywhere else on the whole
line of the Coast Range. The advantage
of solid and continuous ledge of rocks
| forming the foundation for 4 sea wall enclos
ing so extensive and complete basin does
not exist anywhere else on the coast. Por
Oxford is a beautiful and natural harbor fol
summer winds, but Is open to the south and
has deep water where it would be necessary
to construct wall Besides, it is shut of
by almost impossible mountains from the
great interior Of Oregon and California. The
whole Pacific coast from San Diego to Puget
Sound has but two great outlets-San Fran.
cisco and Columbia river-and the growing
wants of Pacific commerce call for more ia
cilities in the. way of harbors. OF course
there will be many objections offered to this
scheme. Some will ridicule it. as no gre II
enterprise ever yet escaped that. Others
will object on the ground of location, ne
matter where it may be located, and still
others will denounce the whole scheme as ex.
pensive and unnecessary. AS to expense, j
know such awork will require a large out
lay of money. But expense should not be
considered when the benefits to be obtained
might cost, but what it would yield in re
turn. That is necessary, every seafarins
man on the coast knows. 1t is demanded
in the name of commerce, as well as in the
name of humanity, just on the principle
that Government places lighthouse or buoy
to- mark a hidden danger, or establishes
life-saving station along the coast. AS ts
location, l have no choice or preference.
have merely presented Cape Foulweathel
because am somewhat acquainted with it.