522 DE FUCA'S STRAITS AND 



attempt to enter the Columbia, manifested the strongest desire to 

 accomplish his orders and forward the objects of the Expedition. 

 Disregarding the well-known perils of the navigation, he did not 

 hesitate, when in his judgment the time was propitious, to incur the 

 dangers of the bar, rather than subject the service to a further delay, 

 Avhich might have proved as disastrous to the Expedition as the loss 

 of the vessel. 



There are no pilots for the entrance of the Columbia river, or rather, 

 none that could be relied upon. Neither old Ramsey nor George 

 deserve the name, nor were there any other persons known, who had 

 any pretensions to be considered as pilots. 



Having set this matter at rest, I shall proceed to give the details of 

 the loss of the Peacock. 



On the ship's striking, the helm was immediately put a-lee, and 

 every practicable effort was made to bring her by the wind, and haul 

 off. These efforts were not successful, and the ship, wliich hung by 

 the keel, began to thump heavily. Every sea forced "her further 

 upon the shoal, and as she had now become completely unmanage- 

 aiole, the sails were furled. The stream cable and anchor were got 

 ready, and the first cutter was hoisted out. Lieutenant Emmons 

 was sent to sound around the ship in various directions, in one of the 

 waist boats. 



At this time the wind, having veered to the northward and west- 

 ward, was freshening ; the air was hazy and a fog was forming ;* the 

 ebb tide had begun to run strong, and meeting, not only the ocean 

 waves, but an opposing wind, in a short time formed breakers which 

 completely enveloped the ship. These breakers soon stove in the 

 first cutter, and rendered her useless. Such was the fury of the sea, 

 that it was with great difficulty Lieutenant Emmons reached the 

 ship, and the boat was secured. 



With every sea the ship lifted and struck heavily, and much soli- 

 citude was therefore felt lest it should be impracticable to get the 

 launch afloat ; but no boat could have lived alongside of the vessel 

 for more than a few moments. 



The lighter spars were now sent down, and the pumps were 

 rio-ged; every exertion was made to save the masts and lower yards, 

 by which the launch might be hoisted out as soon as the sea would 

 permit it. 



* During the summer, this wind, haze, and fog occur almost every day in the afternoon. 



