Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 7.pdf/183

Rh may be heard for a much greater distance. The point of land on the South is low and sandy and is called Point Adams; that on the North, is a high perpendicular rock, and as heretofore said, is called Cape Disappointment. The channel comes around close to the foot of the rock, so that it has entire command of that entrance of the River. Since the wreck of the Peacock upon these breakers this entrance has been considered by many in the States as extremely dangerous, but not so with those who are acquainted with the channel. All admit, however, that it is necessary to have a fair wind, and weather sufficiently clear to observe the land marks, to avoid danger, as the channel is narrow. With these, together with a correct knowledge of the place, we doubt not but that a thousand vessels, were they sailed by men of skill and judgment, might enter the mouth of the Columbia and not one be lost. In the case of the Peacock, it is said that the Captain mistook the bar for the channel and struck before he discovered his mistake. We believe that strongly constructed and powerful tow boats, directed by experienced pilots, would overcome this obstruction as effectually as the same means do that at the mouth of the Mississippi. When vessels have accomplished an entrance they find a safe harbor and good anchorage in Baker's Bay just within Cape Disappointment; and farther up, above, below and opposite Astoria—in the main channel of the River. The bad character which the mouth of the Columbia gained by the unfortunate accident which happened to Lieutenant Wilkes, then Commander of the United States Exploring Squadron in the Pacific, has since affected, materially and deeply, the prosperity of that infant Colony; and not the Colony alone, but also the interests of the numerous Whalers which are, in every direction, in every latitude and longitude, constantly traversing the broad bosom of this Ocean of Oceans; since it has certainly been the great