The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-04
THE GREATHIGHWAY
Maritime Advantages of the
State Set Forth.
WONDERS or PUGET SOUND.
Captain John A. Plum Tells why the
seaports OF Washington VIII Con-
troll Great Commerce.

DulIerin NO. OF the State Board OF
Trade is on the maritime advantages of
Washington, and is written by Captain
Jonn A. Plum, Of Port Townsend. 1t Ii al
follows:
That the seaports Of Washington are on the
shortest route Of eornmeree between the Occi-
cent ana the Orient is patent 70 those &C
quainted with nautical affairs. and my purpose
In writing this article 10 70 show lsndsmen why
II 10 that the commerce Of the Pacific eventually
must De controlled By the new cities Of the
Northwest
Al vessels. whether from the United States
or Europe, cross the equator In the Atlantic in
the same longitude, round Cape Horn In about
the same latitude and cross the equator in the
Pacific In nearly the same longitude Coming
north they than cross the belt of Doldrums,
which extends from latitude 2 deg. north 70 10
deg. north In winter. aud from deg. north 70
Aoes- north IN summer. At the northern lsu-
tude named for the respective seasons ID where
the northeast trade winds are nrst met Pass
ing through the trade winds, sailing ships,
whether bound 20 the Golden Gate, the Coium-
bia river or the strait of Fuca. steer about y. "
W. until the Gains Of Cancer are reached This
belt extends from Y deg. north 20 IS deg. north
in the winter, and from "A deg TO s0deg. in sum
mer, thus making calm belt Of 80 miles wide
In winter and go miles wide in summer FIRE.
quently in July and August this belt widens on
its northern side, making from 20 20 800 miles
more. was obliged once 20 20 as far north ss
latitude As deg. before any westerly anti-trade
winds were found. II 10 necessary 20 cross these
calm belts a. nearly at right angles with the par
allel OF latitude 90 possible: therefore true
north courss ft the best to adopt until the anti
trade winds are met After crossing the squa-
tor and until the anti-trace winds are found the
course II north and west of north, and when the
favorable wind is found the ship is about go
miles in . direct line from the Golden Gate, in
order to reach which she must steer O course
south of east through . region OF variable winds
and often through dense fogs- If Trimming for
the Strait Juan de Fuca, the distance 10 $50
miles, and the ship is away from troublesome
fogs, and with q fair wind natural TO the lsti-
tuds to prosecute her voyage.
From Australia the same course applies a.
from around Cape Horn. The vessel from Aus
tralis, however, a. q rule crosses the equator
farther west, thus giving the Strait of Fucs q
decided advantage in time and distance. Yes
sells from Japan find q difference OF about 100
miles between the Strait OF Fuca and the
Golden Gate in favor Of the former. The short
est distance from Yokohama 10 Washington or
California ports il On the line of the great cir
Gle, but this track 10 not much used, Is IL runs
too near the Aleutian islanda To make the
shortest run al ships must keep as near this
line a. possible, aud they are obliged TO run
practically the same course, whether bound for
the Strait OF Fnes or the Golden Gate, until
within q few hundred miles of the coast of
Washington
Many other advantages that the Strait Of
Fuca holds are prominent ship with .
westerly wind need not hesitate 20 run for the
Strait Of Fucs, Is every commander knows that
be 10 not running for q point beses with sand
bars and reefs, but for an entrance twelve miles
wide, absolutely free from dangers from shore
70 shore, and. should the wind make q sudden
shift on him, he can seek refuge IN one OF the
many bays within the strait, where the best Of
anchorage can he found. There is no necessity,
however. to anchor, because should head wind
be blowing, il would be better In my opinion 10
keep under short sail and stand OF and on
across .ths strait until the winds change or
moderate
In December, 1887, I had occasion to learn
some OF the merits Of these waters. On Decem-
Der 5 ! came up to Cape Flattery from China, via
Caliso, Peru, on my first voyage to this part of
the country. ] entered the Strait Of Juan dc
Fuea At a. m, and after working up the strait
about four miles q gale sprang up from the
southeast did not want 20 PIT out 70 sea
again. but put my ship under easy sail, and
worked along against gale of wind dead ahead.
Night name on; IL was q wild one, the wind IN
creasing By the minute until was obliged TO re-
duce sail to two lower topsails. the smallest
amount of sail . ship can use 20 make any head
way. With this sail I continued 70 work along,
standing frst % the Washington shore and then
10 the shores of Vancouver island until 10 q n
the next day, when the wind began moderating
and hauling 70 the southwest ~ which time vas
Immediately north OF Tatoosh island. thus
losing only four miles in twenty-five hours. I
then made sail and proceeded to Port Town
send. where ] arrived without . tug or plot
This experience spoke volumes to me for the
Strait OF Fuea and Puget sound, showing that
the whole of these waters can be navigated with
full assurance o. no. finding any dangers ex-
cept the two shores, which are so bold that they
can be seen in any weather before 9 ship could
strike the ground. Ice, cyclons and tornado are
unknown, ana once il Puget sound the navi-
gator behoids the most perfect and least danger
Gus body of water be ever sailed upon, with
hundreds of miles OF bold and beautiful coast
line and water Of sufficient depth and width 10
harbor the combined fleets OF the world The
commerce OF Puget sound IL growing in Q con-
stanty increasing ratio, and during lS9o ship
ping 70 the extent OF 2,S9S0Ss tons entered and
cleared a. tie Port Townsend custom house
alone
II speak warm words OF praise for this the
greatest of Washingtou's waterways, / am iusti-
fed in doing &c. NJ first experience in the
strait OF FucA taught me the safety of the
course. The daily view have OF the placid sur
face Of Puget sound from the windows of my
home or Office has inspired q deep love rather
than hatred for salt water common in the
breasts OF retired mariners Yet realize that
this is only one o. the Highways Washington has
10 the deep sea Ga the Pacific shore are two
inlets, one known Grsy's harbor and the other
as shoslwater bay, or properly, willapa barber
Neither has ths depth OF Fuca strait, but each
has growing commerce, being the outlet for
q country rich in natural wealth and rich IN
capabilities OF soil The southern water
way is the Columbia river, which ID essentially
q Washington river. 1t forms part OF the south
ern boundary. but for hundreds OF niles its
course 10 wholly within the state, directly
draining the richest Of agricultural and mining
districts. Vast Sums are being expended BY the
general government in imp oveneuts OF the
channel az the mouth of The river, in order that
vessels OF the deepest draft may with total ao-
selcs OF danger sail far inland. The river bears
large ocean commerce, and the whole water
course IL being improved TO admit OF free nsvi-
CATION far beyond the center OF the state. With
four such avenues 70 deep ses commerce. wash
ingtons position Is such that the state is en-
Titled 10 that maritime supremacy which year BY
year IS growing nearer.
A DELIGHTFUL FAMILY RESORT.
Raanrffx.r GrannHs Al Ont ~