424 APPENDIX. 



Coming from the southward, or when inside the Farallones, 

 the position of the entrance to San Francisco may be known 

 by the land receding considerably between the table-hill al- 

 ready mentioned, and San Brvmo Hill, which, at a distance, 

 appears to terminate the ridge extending from Santa Cruz to 

 the northward. The land to the northward or southward of 

 these two hills has nothing remarkable about it to a stranger; 

 it is, o-enerally speaking, sufficiently high to be seen thirteen to 

 fifteen leagues, and inland is covered with wood. 



About eight miles and a quarter from the fort, at the en- 

 trance of San Francisco, there is a bar of sand, extending in 

 a S. by E. direction across the mouth of the harbour. The 

 soundino-s, on approaching it, gradually decrease to four and 

 a quarter and six fathoms low water, spring tide, depending 

 upon the situation of the ship, and as regularly inci'ease on 

 the opposite side to no bottom with the hand-leads. In cross- 

 in"- the bar, it is well to give the northern shore a good berth, 

 and bring the small white island, Alcatrasses, in one with the 

 fort or south bluff, if it can be conveniently done, as they 

 may then ensure six fathoms ; but if ships get to the north- 

 ward, so as to bring the south bluff in one with the Island of 

 Yerba Buena, they will find but four and a quarter ; which 

 is little enough with the heavy sea that sometimes rolls over 

 the bar ; besides, the sea will sometimes break heavily in that 

 depth, and endanger small vessels : to the northward of this 

 bearing the water is more shallov/. Approaching the entrance, 

 the Island of Alcatrassses may be opened with the fort ; and 

 the best directions are to keep mid-channel, or on the weather 

 side. On the south shore the dangers are above water, and 

 it is only necessary to avoid being set into the bay between 

 the fort and Point Lobos. If necessary, ships may pass in- 

 side, or to the southward of the One Mile Rock ; but it is 

 advisable to avoid doing so, if possible. On approaching it, 

 guard against the tide, which sets strong from the outer point 

 toward it, and in a line for the fort. Off Punta Boneta there 

 is a dangerous reef, on which the sea breaks very heavy : it 

 lies S.W. from the point, and no ship should approach it 



