COLUMBIA RIVER. 153 



rangements for getting off the stores, and embarking every thing 

 previous to our departure. 



I found that Purser Speiden had prepared for us ten thousand 

 pounds of the best bread we had had during the cruise : this had 

 been accomplished by his great perseverance and attention to the 

 business, and I was thus relieved from all anxiety in regard to that 

 indispensable article of the ration. 



On the 1st October, the Porpoise anchored at Astoria, and every 

 body was now engaged in expediting the embarkation of stores on 

 board of both vessels ; the officers were detailed temporarily to the 

 Oregon, whilst the necessary observations for the chronometers and 

 magnetism were again made. 



On my examining the work of the Flying-Fish and boats, I 

 found there was still much to do, in sounding out the lower part of 

 the river. The weather had prevented the execution of this part of 

 the duty within the time that I had allowed for finishing it ; the 

 most essential part for our own purposes had fortunately, however, 

 been accomplished. 



It now became important that the two larger vessels should be 

 got to sea as early as possible. I therefore determined to seize the 

 first opportunity that should offer for crossing the bar, and to return 

 myself in the tender to complete the survey. We, in consequence, 

 proceeded on the 2d to Baker's Bay, whilst the boats were still 

 employed under Lieutenant De Haven in taking soundings. Acting- 

 Master Knox and Passed Midshipman Reynolds, were now ordered 

 to the Porpoise and Oregon, for the purpose of piloting them to sea, 

 when an opportunity should serve. In Baker's Bay we found the 

 Company's schooner, the Cadborough, which had been waiting three 

 weeks for an opportunity to get over the bar. 



As the Peacock's launch could not be taken with us, I had at one 

 time an intention of sending her along the coast to San Francisco. 

 The weather and advanced state of the season, however, would have 

 rendered such a voyage dangerous ; I therefore came to the determi- 

 nation of providing her with every essential to fit her to be used as a 

 pilot-boat in the mouth of the river, or for the relief of vessels in dis- 

 tress. Mr. Burnie, on my asking him to take charge of her for that 

 object, would have readily consented to do so for the Company, but 

 had no authority to do so. I therefore immediately wrote to Dr. 

 M'Laughlin, to say that I had placed the launch at his disposal, and 

 to request that she might be put under the supervision of the Com- 



vol. v. 39 



