Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 13.djvu/207

Rh –Russian expedition under Behring, in 1741, did not come as far south as Cape Flattery, in 49° north. As I have not the means at present of giving any further information of the early discovery of this part of the country, I shall now speak of its present appearance, &c., begging to claim your attention to the maps of the Columbia and the country south as far as the Russian settlements as Bodega.

In entering the Columbia river, you find a bar extending across the channel, (two miles in width,) from the north to the south shoals. The shoalest water on the bar is four and a half fathoms; but as the prevailing winds in winter are from the westward, and the entrance lies exposed to the swell of the Pacific ocean, the bar breaks with a wind of any force if from the west of north or south and west of east. At present, vessels are kept outside for several days waiting for clear weather to run in, having neither beacon, buoys, nor lights to guide them when close in with the shore. This delay would be obviated in a great measure if the coast was surveyed and properly lighted. "Cape Disappointment" is a high, bold promontory, about 400 feet above the sea, covered with timber from its base to the top. "Point Adams" is low, and cannot be seen at a great distance. The sailing directions which I shall be able to present with a chart of the river, will more fully explain the appearance of the, bay and river. As far as the depth of water is marked on the chart, it may be fully relied on. I cannot leave this subject without pointing out the great facility and the advantages that would result from a thorough cut of not more than three-quarters of a mile through the lowest point of the Cape Disappointment, from Baker's bay to the ocean. The soil is light, and the height not more than sixty feet at the point proposed; and I have not the slightest doubt that a deep and safe channel would soon be made by the action of the tide (at the rate of five to six knots an hour) as it sweeps around the bay, bringing with it the whole volume of water of the Columbia and its tributaries.

Every thing around the shores of Baker's bay shows the richness of the soil. The pines, firs, and the most beautiful