APPENDIX. 



481' 



lias an average widtli of two miles, never less than one or 

 more than four, imd a depth never less than eight fathoms, 

 runs one hundrei miles inland in a southward direction from 

 th«' Straits of Fuca ; and Hood's canal, twelve miles farther west, 

 with half the width, runs in the same general direction about 

 sixty miles. These two great estuaries or arms of tidewater 

 have depth sufficient for the largest vessels, and numerous 

 bends and corners where the most perfect protection may 

 be found against the winds. Captain Wilkes, in the report 

 of his exploring expedition, says: "I venture nothing in 

 saying there is no country in tlie world that possesses waters 

 equal to these." Between the mouth of Puget Sound (latitude 

 48'^) and latitude 49° there are a number of islands and bays 

 which supply harbors almost numberless. Bellinghani Bay 

 deserves special mention. The tide rises twenty feet. On the 

 shore of the Straits of Fuca, eigl.ty miles from Cape Flattery, 

 is New Diingeness, which has a secure anchorage and room 

 for a large tleet. To the east seven miles is Port Discovery, 

 which is seven miles long, one and a half wide, and twenty- 

 seven fathoms deep, with excellent protection against tlie winds. 

 Its great depth makes it inconvenient for anchorage. An 

 island in the middle of the mouth of the harbor oilers an 

 excellent site for a fort that will completely command the 

 entrance. It has been proposed that a navy-yard should 

 be established here. Gray's Harbor, in latitude 46° 55\ has 

 a mouth four miles wide, and in shape resembles an equilat- 

 eral triangle twelve miles long on each side. The entrance 

 is two and a hnlf fathoms deep at low water, with a surf 

 extending entirely across the mouth. Inside there is secure 

 anchorage, though tiie greater part of the bay is shallow. 

 Shoalwater Bay, the mouth of which is in 40° 40\ is abotit 

 six miles wide and twenty-five long, extending down to 

 within three miles of the waters of the Columbia River. 

 The entrance has the same depth and surf as Gray's Harbor, 

 and much of the bay is bare at low water. The appearance 

 of the land between Shoalwater Bay and the Columbia 

 21 



