The herald., 1893-08-20
TRIP FROM YUMA TO THE GULF
Adventures Of Robinson, Baker
and Anderson.
They Explore . Country Of Which
Little Is Known.
what They Saw and Noted In Their
Journey to Port Isabsls San
Felipe and Various
Other Points.

Other Points.
lMr. R. E. L. Robinson, in the Yuma
Times, gives the following account Of q
trip down the Colorado river:]
Upon the return of myself and party
from down the Colorado and into the
gulf Of California we found that much
talk had been made and much con.
lecture INDUCED in by the newspapers
respecting our intentions and the OBJ
ject of the trip. The disputes seem to
have become very bitter, which was
altogether unnecessary, inasmuch as the
enterprise was q private one. fitted out
by ourselves for the qualification of our
own curiosity, and the attainment of
other personal knowledge which has
never been mentioned, all of which I
had promised to furnish the newspapers
l represent. Therefore little or nothing
was said to others, and we regret very
much that our friends have chosen to
argue or dispute about it. Having gone
80 far as 1t has, 1t may be of Interest to
give, in as short space as possible, a
synopsis of the travel, it's extent and our
experience.
The Dart, in which we sailed, was
the best boat In Yuma, and while it is
not fitted id every way for sea use, it
had made the trip before along the
other ehore of the gulf, and our original
intention was to make the voyage to
Guaymss, though we were afterwards
Informed by Charlie Theissen that Mr..
Clark was towed was across from Angel
bay by schooner.
We were in no hurry but investigated
the country thoroughly along the route,
and on the morning of the fourth day
ont from Yuma reached tide water,
camping at night at the mouth of the
Hardy. Here we intended to spend some
time hunting, and did attempt it, but
the mosquitoes were 80 bad that we
moved several miles down to the point
where we met Thessen, near the Paint
ed mountains. In the afternoonof the
sixth day we were ready to sail when
we saw Theissen's sail in the distance
and waited for him is come up. He had
been alone SO long that he wanted to
camp with ua, and insisted on our re-
mhlning where we were; but we refused
and he said there WAS slough about Is
miles below where we could anchor, and
if We would do SO he would 20 back and
csmp with US. Though it was our in
tsntion to make Pors Isabel that night,
We agreed and remained together. Next
day we ran to Port Isabel and spent the
hight at the old ehipysYd, killed jewish
or eea bass. dried number of them, and
with the wind and outgoing night tide
went to Santa Clara.
While at Port Isabel we saw bore,
but it was only 12 feet high, rollers and
all; nothing like the so feet we had been
told of, though it is possible that further
up the river it might have been strong
or. The hot epring near Port Isabel
furnishes sweet water, which is splendid
after sitting few hours.
After leaving Santa Clara we passed
across below Montague island to tho
Lower Californis side, opposite slough
that passes between the Superstition
range OF mountains and the Lower Cal
ifornia range proper. We did not at
tempt to enter it, for the coast wac a
bank of mud, but passed down by San
Felipe, and to the west of several low
islands that show only at low tide.
There are crabs, small oysters and very
good CLANS near there. The beach ie
sandy and nice. During the afternoon
several guste of wind came off shore in
the shape of whirldwinds and handled
us pretty roughly, but we kept our
course until the next day, when tn Q
winds became contrary, and after beat
ing against them several hours. they
continuing to grow stronger, we put
about and, running back up above,
crossed and went into what is known
as the clam flats. When we reached
the place we did not know it, as we had
no chart with it on it, but upon going
two or three miles inland hunting, We
came upon Indian wickiups, around
which were immense piles OF shells.
This caused uh to investigate, end we
soon discovered the fsh and found ev-
licences of white mans camp in the
tin cans and other articles OF civilized
manufacture. There were no Indians
there at the time, and evidently the
huts had been unoccupied for months.
We ran day and night below this
point, but encountering rough winds we
gave up the trip to Guaymae and came
up the Sonora coast near the lower end
ef Montague island, where we crossed
and hugeed the shore as farSup as Star
vation point, where we again camped.
We went in on one and came out on the
other side OF Montague island, each
time having as much or moro than half
a tide; still, as we came back we ran
aground in ehoal water on the LIVER end
and had come trouble getting off. Much
more of the island shows at low tide
than at any other time, and as best we
could zee it is long, low and narrow,
sloping very gradually into the water,
and constantly being built up by the
sediment OF the river. We did not at
tempt to land. as the shores are very
muody, hui TO ali appearance every
foot of it above the regular tide ls COW
cred by luxuriant growth OF wild
rice and salt grace. When We passed
the Island it was about half tide, and
the highest portion seemed to be about
Elk feet out OF the water. The Island
gives every appearance OF being en-
tirely submerged at extreme high tides.
There were thousands of gulls, pelicans,
sea ewallows, curlews, snipe and other
birds along the shore, but as 1t was not
the nesting season, we did not nolest
them or eearcn for breeding places.
From Montague Island along the Lower
California ehore to Starvation point,
there is strip of high land &bout one
mile wide, though one is compelled to
wade through mud waist deep TO reach
it. On this strip there are agreat many
mesquites and palo verde, though it
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