Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 16.djvu/290



268 LEWIS A. Me ARTHUR

To these changes in the channel is to be attributed the great dread which navigators have had of the Columbia.

"There is now a good Pilot at the mouth of the Columbia, and I have recommended a Light-house on Cape Disappointment, and five buoys to be placed in such a manner as best to point out the channel. I would also recommend that these be placed under the superintendence of the Pilot, who will always know when any change in the channel takes place, and he can move them to such positions as he might think best. By this means, the dangers and delays attending the navigation of the Columbia would be vastly diminished.

"The greatly increasing commerce of Oregon demands that these improvements be made immediately. The more especially since the Columbia is the most important portion of Oregon for the pur- suits of commerce.

"After crossing the bar, there is a good, unobstructed channel for ships up as far as Astoria, beyond which Tongue Point bar presents quite a serious obstacle to vessels drawing sixteen or even fifteen feet water. The channel over this bar is very crooked and shallow; vessels seldom pass it without delay. Once beyond Tongue Point bar, vessels can easily go up the Columbia as far as Fort Vancouver, on the Columbia, and Portland, on the Wil- lammette river. I am of the opinion, however, that the time is at hand when the navigation of the Columbia river will be conducted by steam vessels as far down as Astoria.

"The harbor of Astoria is perfectly safe and capacious; abund- ance of wood and water can easily be procured. The holding ground is good.

"Within the last eighteen months, more vessels have crossed the Columbia river bar than had crossed it perhaps in all time past, and during that time no vessel has received the slightest injury; and but few have met with much delay.

"I would request that our Chart of the Columbia may be pub- lished as soon as may be practicable."

I am, very respectfully and truly yours, (Signed) WM. P. McARTHUR,

Lieut. Com'g and Assistant U. S. Coast Survey.

"To Professor A. D. Bache,

Superintendent U. S. Coast Survey, Washington, D. C."

"Note. This Chart will be published at the Coast Survey office about the tenth of March, 1851.

"No. 5. Columbia River, Oregon." This note by Bartlett relates to the draught of vessels that may be taken over the