Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1882-05-14
CRAYS HARBOR AND CHEHALlS
RIVER.

The following reports in regard to the
survey of the entrance to Gray's harbOr
ard the examination of Chehalis river,
dated January 26th, 1882, were submit
tel to the engineer department of the
army by Chas. F. Powell, captain of the
engineers, and are based upon the 70
ports of Robt. A. Habersham, assistant
engineer, who made surveys and exami-
nation.
Gray's harbor is capacious in extent
The greater part Is bare or shOal at low
tide. The remainder about 4,C00 acres
in area, is deep and possesses good an
chO-age. The bar is 3.5 miles from the
entracne to tho harbor. There are three
channels over it, with depths at mean
low tide of IL, Is and 10 feet. Through
the deepest channel in ordinary weather
draughts can be carried from IL to II
feet, according as the tide is mean low
or mean high. From the bar to the en-
trance the channel is straight and plain
ly marked by the bordering and parallel
line of breakers. The bar is pure sand,
and formed BY wave action. 1t is simi-
lar il character and changes TO the
wave drift bars in front of harbOrs on
the North Pacific coast. For depth. per-
manence and facility of access, the chan
mel compares favorably with entrances
to ali harbors as far south as San Fran
cisco. Two steam and sail coasters, one
lately commencing, make regular trips
between Gray's harbOr and Portland, Or.
In the former place their landing il at
Montesano, ont he Che halls river, 70
miles from the mouth. Two other rivers
of considerable size, but smaller than the
Clehalis. be ;ides several small streams
empty into Gray's harbor.
The Chehalis is a productive region,
whose lack of prosperity is rsferred to
SO, o. its valuable timber lands by own-
ers, who are principally Puget Sound
and Portland lumber merchants. The
chief industries are dairy farmers and
cedar numbering. Montosano, 80 miles
from the entrance to Gray's harbor, 10
the largest town. 1t is here that the sim
gle coaster plying to Gray's harbor about
six times year delivers supplies and
receives her outward cargo. On her last
and a late trip, she brought out, accord
ing to statements of her master, $500
! feet of cedar lumber, valued, after pay
ing freight, at 81 ,5S4: II, 200 pounds but
| tor. $500; hides of elk, beef and deer
| and elk horns, valued at 800; bacon
and ham, $500: or a total value of cargo
| of 5000 This is larger than usual, as
the trip was at the end Of the productive
season, and as the export quantity is
| gradually increasing. Of the articles
named, q less quantity of the ones of
the smaller bulk are shipped by wagon
1t, Olympia. In addition to the list Civ
en-, wool is an article Of export, the year
ly quantity of which is placed 1890
pounds.
The Northern Pacific railroad branch
from Kalama, ON the Columbia, TO Pu.
get Sound, runs in close proximity to the
Chehalis near the head Of navigation
The productions from this part of thu
valley are not included in the list given
There are one small grist mill for hous,
supplies, and two saw mills on the Che
halls. A river steamer intended for tn
Chehalis is nearly finished. A company
is just now organized at Olympia Il
construct a railroad from that plac'
down the Cheha!is valley. The river i
su ;cep i,le, with Dut difficulty. Of capa
city for boats of three feet draught dur
ing two-thirds of tho year. Its bank
| are stable. The bed Is firm and the riv
or free from exec ssive floods. In the fu
ture. when its commerce shall have in
creased and bordering lands becom
cleared. there will be required the SCI
, vice of a boat for snagging operations
i and work on the bars by scraping O
wing-dam, or both. For tho present, tn
{ wants of commerce can be met in reno
val of existing RATS aud most trouble
T, some snags. by contract, at an estimate
cost of 5000.
, The Puget Sound country is rich i
timber, iron and coal. The vast whea
| region of the upper country Is laokin
Q these staples, coal has not been foun
4 near any part of the Columbia. The ar
] parent feasibility of the inland wat<
route, aud tbs probabilities OF its d.
mand by future commerce OF the Mort
!. Pacific coast, prompted me to insfru'
: the assistant who examined the Cheh'
lis to make reconnaissance up Blac
river tributary to tide water. and AFT
completing the. examination Of the Ch
halls to return by the way ofShoaiwat1
bay, and examine the narrow neck I
Q land between Gray's harbor and Shoa
4 water bay, with view of navigable Col
!. pection. He reports the Black river ma
= igable for light draught beats to IA mil,
l. OF OLYMPIA. The Olympia city survt
. places the lake laS.5 feet above tide vi
e ter. In reference to the Gsay's harbt
= canal. it was found that q canal on
2 level is quite I IA stiolble. The distan.
!, ID eight miles. and ths depth Of averas
= cut at low tide is not over eight fee
8 The estimate Of first cost Of canal fro
. ShOaiwater by TO Bakers bay is $SS
= 3l5.3o. While continuous water comm
!, , nication between Puget Sound and G
= = lumbia river is a project sofar in the {
70 true that We nesd not nov concern I'D
selves about its details, il remains Tn
that an improvement on the part OF q
" route in aid of 10 sai commence II ol
n fteptowards tie completion Of the who
Itygeem.