The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-04-29
ONE CENTURY AGO.
vancouver Entered Straits of
Fuca April 20, 1892.
BEAUTY OF MOUNT OLYMPUS.
Fsssage os Cape Flattery and Tatoosh
Asiand-Ths Indian Villages
Politsness OF Natives.


Straits of Fuca- Subsequently he discov-
cred and named Port Townsend, Port Dis
covery, Hood canal, Puget sound, Mount
Baker, Mount Rainier Port Gardner and
most of the bodies of water, capes and
mountains of what is now the puget
Sound country" and British Columbia.
vancouver was brave. energetic and hui
name, and pursued his work of discovery
with the zeal of Christopher Columbus.
he entered the British navy at the age of
ID, and accompanied Captain Cook in his
second and third voyages of discovery. He
was appointed to command an expedition
to the northwest coast of America, the
object being to take over from the
Spaniards the territory In that re-
gion, and to explore the coast
from latitude 80 north to Cooks inlet, or
river, as it was then called, with view to
the discovery of an eastward passage to
the great lakes in the British dominions.
The special point which he had to ascer-
tain was whether the Strait of Juan de
Fuca really was strait. Vancouver left
Falmouth April 1, 1871, and made explor-
ations of the coast of Australia. Then he
touched at the Hawaiian islands, and on
April Is, 1892, sighted the coast of Cali
fornia. He proceeded slowly up the coast,
and on April %. 1892, entered the Straits
Of Fuca. The story of the entrance is we'll
told in his own words. In his Narrative"
he says:
By O'Clock on Sunday morning, April %,
1892, we were INDUCED with q pleasant breeze,
with which at daylight We weighed and stood
along the shore to the northwest While at
anchor we found a constant current without in
in tha iDa of tha N ha
northward, at a uniform rate of nearly half q
league per hour. Since we had passed Cape Ok
ford We had been regularly thrs affected and
carried further to the north by ten or twelve
miles per day than We expected.
At O'Clock sail was discovered to the west
ward standing in shore. This was q very great
novelty, not having seen any vessel but our con-
sort during the last eight months. She soon
hoisted American colors and fred gun to lee
ward. At We spoke her. She proved to be the
ship Columbia, commanded by Mr. Robert
Gray, belonging to Boston, whence he had been
absent nineteen months.
The most remarkable mountain we had seen
on the coast of New Albion California; now
presented itself. Its summit, covered with eter-
nal snow, was divided into very elegant
double fork, and rose conspicuously from base
OF lofty mountains clothed in the same man
ner, which descended gradually to hills OF
moderate height, aud terminated like that we
had seen the preceding day, in low cliffs fall
ing perpendiculsrly on a sandy beach, of which
were scattered many rocks and rocky islets of
various forms and sizes. This Was generally
considered, though 1t was not confirmed by its
latitude, to be Mount Olympus. -
Our course was again directed along the coast
to the northward. 1t continued to increase in
height as we advanced, with numberiess de-
tached rocky islets, among which were many
sunken rocks, extending in some places
l.. 49, A. -
most Of these rocks. at the distance of a mile,
we plainly distinguished the fourth point of en-
trance into De Fuca's straits. The opposite side
of the straits. though indistincty seen in conse-
quencs OF the haze, plainly indicated an OPEN
ing of considerable extent The thick rainy
weather permitted US to see little Of the coun-
try
We now saw several village, scattered along
the Shore whose inhabitants came off for the
purpose, as we supposed, Of trading.
We were at this time within two or three miles
of the shore; the wind blew a fresh gale, at
tended with thick rainy weather from the e. 8.
Z. But as 1t was favorable for entering this
inlet we were eager to embrace the oppor-
tunity 1t afforded, and shortened sail that
the Chatham might take the lead. About
noon we reached its fourth entrance, which
understand the natives designated by the name
of Claffet fFlatteryl: 1t is projecting and con-
spicuous promontory. Tatooche's island Is
united to the promontory by ledge of rocks over
which the sea violently breaks No great vio-
lence of tide was experienced.
We followed the Chatham between Tatooche's
island and rock lying of the island, hauling
TO the eastward along tho southern shore of the
supposed Straits of De Fuca. This rock, which
rises just above the surface of the water, and
over which the surf breaks with great violence,
called Rock Duncan, In commemoration OF
that gentleman's discovery. 1t Ia situated
nearly halt a league from Tatooche's island,
forming a passage to all appearance perfectly
clear The island of Tatooehe is OF an oblong
shape, lying nearly in northwest and south
east direction, about half a league In circuit,
bearing verdant appearance, without any
trees. On the east side is a cone which
nearly divides the island into two parts; the
upper part of the cliff in the center OF the cove
had the appearance of having been separated by
art for the protection or convenience of the
village there situated, and has a communica-
ton from cliff TO cliff above the houses of the
village by bridge or causeway, over which the
Inhabitants were seen passing and repassing.
On the beach were seen several canoes, and
some of them would most probably have visited
us had we thought proper to shorten sail This
promontory, though not greatly elevated, rises
very abruptly from the sea in steep barren
cliffs; above these it seems well wooded, but
the badness of the weather that obscured the
adjacent country prevented also our ascertain
ing its situation. From the northwest
part Of TaIooche's island the exterior
coast takes a direction nearly south about ten
leagues, where, as we passed, / snxiously looked
out for the point which Captain Cook had dis
tinguished by the name of Cape Flattery, OF
which | could not be completely satisfied, on
account of the difference in latitude. A shall
low bay, however, does extend about three
leagues TO the southwark of Claffet. which falls
some distance back from the general line of the
coast; and the base of the inland mountains
which project there and form deep ravines
present at distance the appearance of a safe
and secure port; but or a nearer approach the
whole was found firmly connected by sandy
beach. This, most probably. is the bay which
the Resolution and Discovery stood into, and
Claffet is the point with an island lying OF it,
which Captain Cook called Cape Flattery
As we proceeded along the shore we passed
tie village OF Claffet, which is situated about
two miles within the cape, aud has the appear
ance of being extensive and populous. As the
fresh southwesterly wind became much moder-
ated by the Intervention OF the high land we
were now under some of the inhabitants found
no difficulty in visiting us; this they did in
very civil, orderly and friendly manner, re-
questing permission before they attempted to
eater the ship; and on receiving soma presents,
with assurances Of our friendship, they very
politely and earnestly requested us TO stop at
their village. The situation of the anchorage,
however, being much exposed, and wishing Tor
some snug port where, with ease and con-
yeEieuce, the various necessary services we now
required might be performed, declined their
very cordial invitation and directed our course
up the inlet, entertaining no doubt that We
should soon be enabled to accommodate our
selves with n more advantageous station.
Tue wind veering 10 the southeast obliged US
to turn up along shore or the southern side of
the Straits. About two miles within the village