Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-08-15
The Naming Of the Bays and Islands
by the Ancient Mariners.

speaks eloquently to those who pause
to think, and who let their thoughts
wander backward to the days that are
gone in order to learn what the days
that arc to come may bring and to
mediate on the childhood, maturity
and old age of nations. Probably the
first mariner of European birth
who sighted, as far as we know, the
waters of Puget Sound was Greek
sailor in the service of the Spanish
viceroy of Mexico. His vessel sailed
along the waters in the north of the
Sound about 400 years ago. The
brave pilot has been dead for centur-
les, the rule OF the Spaniards in
Mexico is over and the English speak
ing race has meanwhile conquered al-
most the whole North American conti
nent, which in those days when the
first white explorer approached our
coasts belonged still to the red men.
But though these great changes and
others of equal import have taken
place, the name of the plucky Greek
still lives in the name OF the straits
through which he sailed. Even to
this day the waters are called the
Straits of "Juan de Fuca."
Three centuries elapsed after Juan
de Fuca's adventurous voyage, before
the first white explorer entered the
Sound itself. This navigator was a
lieutenant OF Vancouver who sent
him from his central station at Res
toration Point to explore the inlet on
May 10, 1892; the historical fact is
again recorded by the name Of the
waters, which in honor of Lieut.. Peter
Puget were called Puget Sound.
A great island in the north of the
Sound is called Whidby's Island"
It is the largest island OF these waters
and was once inhabited by the
Satchets," whose villages were To-
Gated among the beautiful pastures
and meadows that are 80 characteris-
tic of the island. The Spaniards
Quimper and Elisa passed it without
paying much attention to it, but Van
couver's officer, WILDLY, explored its
coasts from one end to the other dur
ing the months of May and June, 1892,
the name which the island has re-
tanned until to-day bearing witness of
the event.
Fidalgo island received its name
from the Canal de Fildalgo, which
was baptized thus in 1891 by Vancou-
yer in honor of a we'll known Spanish
officer of that name.
The highest mountain on the island
is named Mount Erie" in honor of
Commodore Perry, of the United
States, the hero OF Lake Erie.
Deception pass, which separates the
two islands above named, also records
an interesting historical fact. The
entrance to this passage was first OBJ
served by the Spanish explorers
Quimper and Elisa; afterwards it was
explored by Vancouver's officer
WILDLY, who, not thinking it passible,
which name it has retained, although
Mr.. Ringgold in the ship Porpois,
184l. sailed through it and proved the
name misnomer.
Port Townsend, or as it should be
called Port Townshend, received its
name from Vancouver In honor OF the
Marquis of Townshend, one of the
lords of the English admiralty, who
signed the navigator's instructions.
Port Ludlow was named after Mr..
Ludlow, q well-known United States
naval officer of the war of 1913, who
received his death wound on board the
ship Chesapeake. Vancouver had not
explored this port, and Wilkes, in
lS41, who was the first to survey, gave
the name mentioned to the harbor.
Hoods Canal was discovered and
explored in its primeval parts in boat
expedit;on from the 10th to the 14th
of May, 1892, and named in honor of
Lord Hood, another Lord of the Brit
ish admiralty.
Port Gamble is small basin on the
east, near the entrance of Hoods ca
nal, and was named by Mr.. Wilkes in
honor of Mr.. Gamble, another United
States naval officer of 1913.
Bainbridge island was named by Mr..
Wilkes after an officer under whom he
had served.
The name of Vashon island dates
further back. 1t was discovered by
Vancouver and named after his friend
Can't. Vashon of the English navy.
Port Madison was entirely over
looked by Vancouver and probably
named by Lieutenant Ringgold who,
explored it.
DYES inlet was named after one Of
the officers of Wilkes exploration
party.
Admiralty inlet itself is transla-
ion of "Canal del Almerantzago," a
name given to it by the Spanish ex'
plorers.
In the sout., Of Puget Sound, Budd's
inlet, Eds inlet, Totten's inlet, Cases