THE HARBOR AT SANTA BARBARA 



SYLVESTER J. McATEE 



T 



I HE want of renown that the Santa Barbara Channel has enjoyed as a 

 harbor of the first class is a surprising thing, explicable only by the 

 insignificant size and the meagre needs of the coast-wise traffic. But 

 with the growth of commerce and against the day when the East 

 shall send her merchandise by ship via Panama, recognition must 

 come to the port of Santa Barbara. 



For here is one of the best natural harbors on the coast — seventy miles 

 of length and twenty-five miles of width of the most placid salt water 

 within the territory of the United States. Due knowledge is not generally 

 had of the causes that contribute to this result. The channel may be 

 thought nothing more than open searoom. But if the contour of the State 

 shore-line be studied, the first of these causes will be apparent. 



From Point Conception the line runs almost due east, thus giving a 

 southern exposure instead of the general north-south direction that prevails. 

 Lying to the south and parallel with the coast at an average distance of 

 twenty-five miles is the chain of submerged mountains known as the Chan- 

 nel Islands, which has its continuation on the mainland in the Sierra Santa 

 Monica. Five in number, — San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, and the 

 two Anacapas, — they form almost a continuous barrier seventy miles in 

 length. To the west, San Miguel lies off twenty-seven miles from Point 

 Conception. The eastern entrance to the channel, between the Anacapas 

 and Point Hueneme, is twelve miles v»^ide. The distance between the islands 

 does not exceed four or five miles. 



Thus in the largest bend of the shore off the city the harbor is almost 

 land-locked. Storms to endanger shipping are almost unheard of. A due 

 west wind breaks upon the rugged headland of Point Conception, and 

 swerves to spend its force harmlessly on the shore of San Miguel. North- 

 west, north, and northeast winds break their fury on the mountain range 

 that abuts upon the shore. From only one direction can a serious storm 

 blow, — from due southeast. Should the wind lie directly in that point a 

 heavy sea will be felt in the port proper of Santa Barbara City, from which 

 shelter may be sought by running to the lea of the islands. Should the 

 blow swerve a point from due southeast, it will miss its ready entrance 

 between the Aanacapas and Point Hueneme and break upon the islands or 

 the mainland range. As a matter of fact, but twice in nearly thirty years — 

 in 1879 and 1905 — has the wind set so precisely on the compass, and then 

 mercantile craft easily rode out the storm. 



In the placid waters of this harbor the navies of the world might ride 

 during the usual southwest gales that blow off this shore, and suffer no 

 Injury. Here the burdened vessels from the Eastern seaboard will find ready 

 refuge on the long course up the coast from Panama. Not a reef, not a 

 bar, not a shallow gives the mariner concern. The sounding lead drops into 

 seven fathoms of water close off the mainland shore and finds bottom only 

 at much greater depth abruptly off the islands. At any time, day or night, 

 fair weather or foul, port can be made without the aid of a pilot. In thirty 

 years' experience along the Pacific the captain of a coastwise steamer 

 calling as often as twice a week has never encountered fog so thick as to 

 prevent easy docking. 



The only disturbing possibility is that of the chance gale from the due 

 southeast. For this the local Chamber of Commerce is seeking to make 

 provision. A special committee was recently appointed to formulate a 

 memorial to the State's representatives in Congress, asking an appropria- 

 tion for a breakwater. The proposed improvements sought would consist 

 of a breakwater a mile in length to protect the docking and anchorage 

 from the southeast seas, and a shorter breakwater to the west to moderate 

 the force of a southwest ground swell that sometimes sets in after a heavy 

 storm outside the heads. 



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