Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 16.djvu/286



264 LEWIS A. MCARTHUR

December, 1850." We will omit the general directions and the directions for Sheet No. 1, and part of Sheet No. 2. The remaining- directions are as follows :

"Klamath river has 15 feet on the bar at low water. It is not difficult of entrance with a good breeze, but very difficult to get out of, the current running so strong that sailing vessels must come out stern foremost to be steered. There is a staff on the south side of the river, on which a white flag, with black ball, is generally hoisted.

"Port St. George is a safe anchorage in the summer at the point indicated by the anchor. The reef off Cape St. George consists of rocky islets. The in-shore channel is good and clear, and shown by the track of the schooner Ewing. From Pelican Bay, with a breeze, take this channel.

"From Cape St. George to the Toutounis, or Rogue's river, there are no special dangers. In the summer, vessels may anchor any- where along the coast, and there are landing places south of all the rocky points. The Toutounis, or Rogue's river, has but 10 feet on the bar, is rapid, and passes between high mountains.

"Avoid the kelp, which indicates rocks under water, and do not approach the shore at night.

"Ewing harbor 12 is a safe anchorage in summer. There is no surt in the landing cove."

"From Cape St. George to Cape Orford, 13 the coast is thickly inhabited by bands of wild Indians, and care is necessary not to be surprised by them.

"There is a reef of rocky islets off Cape Orford.

"From Cape Orford to Cape Arago, there is no danger clear of the beach.

"The Kowes river 14 has not yet been examined. The anchorage to the northward of the bluff is good.

"The Umpqua is accessible for steamers, and for small sailing vessels only, under very favorable circumstances.

"When off Cape Arago, in clear weather, the high sand bluffs of the Umpqua are plainly seen."

"The coast from the Umpqua river to the Columbia is generally bordered by a sand beach, with white sand hills, and the interior is densely wooded with fir or pine. The cliffs, when they occur, are bold, but afford no shelter for anchoring. In the summer, a vessel may anchor in twenty fathoms off any of these beaches.

12 Ewing Harbor is now known as Port Orford,

13 Cape Orford is now Cape Blanco,

14 Kowes River Coos Bay.