The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-01
THE BIG OCEAN INLET.
Development and Prosperity at Gray's
Harbor.
Claims rs . Commercial Port-A Safe
Bsr-Thriving Cities and Ambi-
fious Towns.
GAYS HAgsog. Dec. o. 1so.

GEAY's HAEBoE, Dec. ., $780,
Grayis harbor is clearly entitled TO be
ranked amongst the flrst of the FIVE i'm
portant inlets Of the Pacific 1t is the most
important ocean harbor north of San Fran
cisco, except the Columbia, the value of
its exports and imports being second only
to those of the great river. It's lumber in
dustry has assumed proportions that make
1t a respectable rival Of Puget sound for its
coastwise trade, and its hshing and agri-
cultural resources are assuming more than
local importance. The expansion of its
interests during the year has been notable,
and the growth Of population has been
very heavy.
As shown upon any map Of Washington,
Grayis harbor is heart-shaped, and ex-
tends inland from the ocean distance of
fifteen miles to the mouth of the ChehaIis
river, and IN width is ten miles from north
70 south. Outside the haroor, and before
its entrance, is the usual bar, about one
third of mile across. Across the bar is a
channel, having an average width of about
L. 500 feet, and carrying depth of water at
low tide OF nineteen feet at its shallowest
point. The harbor contains 5000 acres of
anchorage area where the water is of
greater depth than twenty-five feet at low
tide. The outside bar permits, at high
tides, which rise upon it from eight to ten
feet, the passage of ocean vessels of heavy
draught. The channel by which the harbor
is entered runs IN q northeasterly direction
through the harbor with depths Of water
from twenty-five feet upwards, directly 10
the wharf OF the town of Gray's Harbor.
The harbor is practically iand-Iocked. af-
fording perfect protection in storms The
particular merit Of the Gray's harbor bar
is that the channel across is perfectly
straight and unmistakable having on
either side well-de1ned line OF breakers.
So clear is the channel that vessels enter
during storms with ease and comparative
security. In the hundreds and thousands
of times the bar has been crossed by in
coming and outgoing vessels since 1792. the
date of its discovery. not one wreck or
serious mishap has occurred-a record that
Is significant of the value and safety of the
crossing.
The resources OF Gray's harbor are
varied No part of the vast timber belt of
Washington excels in value. extent. avail
ability or Importance that of Grav's
harboT basin. There are tributary TO Cyray's
haFbor /, 10000 acres Of land densely COW
cred with forests OF red and white mr..
spruce and cedar, estimated TO contain
from 9l,oo0 to 10000 feet per acre, making
total Of about 9o,oc0 60 900 feet of Iu,n-
Der. In the basin OF the Chehalis river.
flowing into the harbor. there are about
5000, 00o0po feet, making an extraordi-
nary total of 150. 900 Ooo 900 feet of Iunb Der in
the tree tributary 70 Gray's harbor alone.
The amount Of standing timber in Wash
lngton Is, In round figures, 40, 600 600 600
feet. Twenty streams with their tributar-
les drain this great area, and afford ready
means for driving logs TO the harbor.
The agricultural resources are uuexceIIei
In any part Of Washington. The valley of
the Chehalis river is very fertile in all
manner OF vegetable, grain and fruit prod
ucts- The river bottoms OF the Hump
tulips and Satsop, and. in less extent. of
the Hoquiam and Wishkah, produce aston
lshing crops Of hay, all manner of root
vegetables and cereals. Claims of ten and
twenty acres are sufficient TO sustain a
family in comfort. The greater part OF the
Olympic country, with its wealth OF min
erals and timber, is tributary to Gray's
haroor. Many hundred settlers have
taken up claims In the agricultural region
between the mountains and the ocean and
harbor, during the year, and begun cuiti-
walton Of the soil. The bottom lands are
covered with light growth of alder and
vine maple, and sre easily cleared. The