The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1880-01-16
CORVALLIS, ORE0oS,
January 9th, 1879.

u. 4.
SIN MIR. w. i. Carter, Of this
city, has asked me to answer your let |
ter 10 him Of the 18th uIt., which ar |
rived while he VAS suffering from sick
ness
The case ia favor Of Yaquina Bay Is
clearly and tcrBely stated in the memo-
rial prepared by Col. r. EZerton IIogg
for presentation 10 the Board Of Har-
bor of Refuge Commissioners in San
Francisco. May refer you to that I
Col. IIogg has, believe, coy Of this
80 your service.
The survey Of YaquinA Bay, just
completed by Capt. Wood, Of The u. s.
Coast Survey, under instructions from
Col. Gillespie anI the Board Of Harbor
Commissioners, has demonstrated the
following points:
!. No change has taken place since
Dir. Chase's survey in 1868 in the bar
or distractions, which is thus proved
To be permanent and imnIovaI,le in
character.
.. The obstruction is not more than
$50 yards across, from 40 feet depth on
the outside To 80 feet on the inside.
>. There are three entrances through
the reef north, middle and south, with
minimum depth nosc Of l2 feet ut low
water, and rise Of 7s feet 10 mean
high water.
4. There is protecting outer reef,
one and one nall miles out, which coy
ers the entrance receives and breaks
up tie heavy Acas in all storms and
prevents the deposit Of sand in the
channel
3. There Is an ample anchorage with
in the harbor Ia take in ships Of any
burden, and deep water close in shore
for several miles in extent, enabling
ships to load and deliver cargo with
ease. safety and eelerity.
G. The harbor is land-locked, per
fectly safe in every wind, and with good
holding ground everywhere for anchor
age.
Z. The reef or obstruction consists OF
moderately soft sandstone rock, easily
removable 10y blasting, but aHording
firm and permanent foundation for the
short sea walls, not exceeding one
fourth Of mile in length, by which it
is proposed TO close the north and south
channels, thus cnhining the current
within the center channel, increasing
the scour. and preventing the deposit of
sand
s. Abundance Of good building stone
is available in close proximity to places
where it will be needed for the sea-
walls above referred to.
9. The entrance to the harbor Is safe
and easy during tho prevalence of winds
from south, southeast, west, north and
northwest. The prevailing winds on
the coast are north and northwest -
these winds are fair both for entering
and leaving Yaquins Bay.
The expenditure of from 5000, 900 TO
S750,00o would probably provide en-
trance for vessels exceeding 1000 tons
burthen, with sea walls, and lighthouse
at the entrance. The harbor would be
by far the best on the Pacific coast be-
tween San Francisco and Puget Sound.
Il would require three years to com.
plete the whole.
The benefits to accrue may he sum
married as follows:
l. The opening to exports and i'm
ports of fertile region exceeding 500,
900 acres in STtent, ut present entirely
without the means of exporting pro
duce save at cost exceeding the value
Of the articles, and paying for their i'm
ports rates which, by the cost of car
riage, are now double the prices il
places of easy access.
.. The provision for the whole of th,
middle and upper parts of the William
ette Valley, and indeed for Middle and
Southern Oregon generally, Of a cheaper
and shorter route for both passenger
and eoods-one. never closed by ice, O
a made inaccessible by storms-saving
f say between San Francisco and the cen
: ter of the Willamette Valley, not les
than go miles in actual distance. an,
' quite halt the time now involved in tha
9 journey.
5. The opening of port where yes
: sells would be available at n freight Gel
' tainly 81 so per ton less than no,
' charged to Portland from any Southerr
g or foreign port, and free from th
t charges ard delays involved in the @,
+ lumbia bar and pilotage.
o 4. The opening of bay for lumber
ing and ship building purposes, whe.
the very best natural advantage
exist, and whence large exports of lun
: Der, coal, building stone, fish, oyster
: and farming produce will be mad
e Lumber mills, ship building yards an
e oyster beds have already been openeo
= and only await the means of export f
y further development.
s 5. For the whole of Oregon poir
!, Of export and import will be provide
y only go miles from the heart Of th
!. Willamette Valley, independent in j
r. self, land by the railroad which wi
% reach it, of the powerful railroad an
I. steamboat corporation which now cor
y y trolls so much of the traffic of the Stat
II 6. A large saving, both Of money an
. time. will be effected in the arrang
: ments now current fer the carriage I