The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1921-01-20
NEW LIGHT ON DISCOVERY OF COLUMBIA RIVER
Captain Grays Log Used For Scrap Paper
LOG OF FIFTH OFFICER FOUND In BOSTON,

Discoveries now generally mean
something pried loose in the realm OF
science, the location Of still in a
neighborhood barn, or possibly new
tooth for the baby, but in the days
when Capt Robert Gray came to this
coast in the ship Columbia" discov-
cry meant some new land or portion
of land and a proper record was kept
that the country Of the discoverer
might benefit by the acquisition Of
new territory.
While it has never been doubted
that the Columbia river was discover
ed and named by Capt. Gray In his
voyage to this part of the world in
1892 there has not been any known
official document to prove it up until
the last few weeks. The original log
which Captain Gray kept Of his voy-
ages and discoveries was destroyed
by a niece Of Capt. Gray's wife who
did not understand its value. Previous
to that time extracts had been made
from the log for record in federal
documents, but the log itself had new
err been placed on file either with the
government or any historical society.
A few weeks ago it was brought to
the attention Of Prof. Edmond s.
Meany, of the University of Washing
ton, that log kept by John Bolt, fifth
officer of the Columbia, had been CIV
en- to the Massachusetts, historical So
ciety and Prof. Meany Immediately
procured a copy of it for the records
of the Washington historical society.
The voyage of the Columbia was
John Bolts first sea trip, he being at
that time sixteen years old, but he be-
came a master mariner and other
documents telling Of his later trips
were also donated to the Massachu-
cts society. The ship Columbia was
fitted up for a four years cruise, she
was $50 tons burden, mounted twelve
carriage guns and carried a crew of
fifty men, including the officers.
In common with other traders OF
that day the Columbia was provided
with a cargo Of cloth. and iron and
copper trinkets including nails and
spikes. These goods were to be trad
ed to the Indians for furs which were
valuable in the Boston and New York
markets. The basis Of these trades
is we'll shown by an item in the Bolt
journal: 1--WE purchased four otter
skins fer-a sheet Of copper: beaver
skins, two spikes each, and other land
furs one spike each"
The Columbia arrived on the North.
west coast June 4, 1871, and during
the summer and fall traded up to the
north Of Tatoosh island with the In.
dams in what would now be British
Columbia. During the last OF Septem-
Der they established winter quarters
near Cliquot harbor on Vancouver Is
land where they built the sloop Ad-
venture during the winter, greatly to
the establishment of the natives who
watched the proceedings and predict
ed that the white men would never be
able to get the big boat into the water
as she was set up some distance from
high water.
About the first of April the ship
started out on a cruise to the south Of
the Straits Of De Fuca. Following
along the coast and trading as they
went they finally arrived at the en-
trance of what is now known as Grays
Harbor. The log from that point on
to the discovery of the Columbia fol-
lows:
At Anchor In Gray's Harbor
May IN. Latt. 46' So. Saw an
inlet in the land, which had all the
appearance of an harbor. Sent the
cutter, under charge of End officer, to
examine it. Laying to, a strong cur
rent with squally weather. The boat
returned, and the officer reported that
he could find nothing but breakers at
the entrance, but farther in it had the
appearance Of good harbor. This
appearance being SO fattering, Capt.
Gray was determined not to give it
up. Therefore ordering the boat ahead
to sound, with necessary signals, the
ship stood in for the weather bar and
we soon see from the mast head a