Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 16.djvu/289



THE PACIFIC COAST SURVEY 267

of the island, get the beacon on the island in range with a tree on Cape Disappointment (which is trimmed up like an umbrella), and with that range astern, stand on up the bay until the custom- house is on with Young's Point, when haul to the east, and keep the last range on till nearly up with Young's Point. Pass along the south shore, running by the lead until up to Astoria.

"To enter the south channel, bring the beacon on Sand Island to bear north 40 degrees east, (true,) and Point Adams on the peak, which can be seen east of Point Ellice, and called 'Jim Crow/ (upon which there is a notable tree,) nearly in range, the vessel will be then on the bar in the south channel in the best water. Steer for the beacon, taking care not to sag to the eastward; rather keep close to the breakers on the Sand Island shore. Pass close to Sand Island, and fall into the range of the beacon with the trimmed tree on Cape Disappointment, and proceed as already directed.

"The best time for entering is on the first or last of the ebb tide. The last of the ebb tide is preferable in either channel,"

No. 4 consists of notes on the new chart of the Columbia River, by Lieutenant Commanding McArthur, and is worded as follows:

"Notes on the new chart of Columbia river, from a preliminary survey, by Lieut. Commanding W. P. McArthur, U. S. N., As- sistant in the Coast Survey.

U. S. Surveying Schooner Ewing,

San Francisco, September 25, 1850. Sir:



"When comparing our chart with that of the Exploring Expedi- tion, the changes of the channels and shoals at the mouth of the Columbia river will be found to be numerous and considerable. Sand Island is nearly a mile further to the westward now than it was in 1840-'41. The north channel seems to be gradually filling up, whilst the new south channed is becoming both larger and deeper. This change will go on until some violent storm will throw up the sand again, and upon subsiding leave the water of the river to find a new channel.

"I have examined all the charts that have been made of the Columbia river from the time of its discovery to the present, and find that there has been continued changes going on, but at all times has there been a good deep channel at the mouth of this river.