434 PROOFS AND ILLUSTRATIONS. [E. 



(2.) 



Extract from the Second Volume of the Log-Booh of the Ship Columbia^ 

 of Boston, commanded by Robert Gray, containing the Account of 

 her Entrance into the Columbia River, in May, 1792.* 



May 7th, 1792, A. M. — Being within six miles of the land, saw an 

 entrance in the same, which had a very good appearance of a harbor; 

 lowered away the jolly-boat, and went in search of an anchoring-place, 

 the ship standing to and fro, with a very strong weather current. At one, 

 P. M., the boat returned, having found no place where the ship could 

 anchor with safety ; made sail on the ship ; stood in for the shore. We 

 soon saw, from our mast-head, a passage in between the sand-bars. At 

 half past three, bore away, and ran in north-east by east, having from four 

 to eight fathoms, sandy bottom ; and, as we drew in nearer between the 

 bars, had from ten to thirteen fathoms, having a very strong tide of ebb to 

 stem. Many canoes came alongside. At five, P. M., came to in five 

 fathoms water, sandy bottom, in a safe harbor, well sheltered from the 

 sea by long sand-bars and spits. Our latitude observed this day was 

 46 degrees 58 minutes north. 



May l§th. — Fresh breezes and pleasant weather; many natives along- 

 side; at noon, all the canoes left us. At one, P. M., began to unmoor, 

 took up the best bower-anchor, and hove short on the small bower-anchor. 

 At half past four, (being high water,) hove up the anchor, and came to 

 sail and a beating down the harbor. 



, May 11th. — At half past seven, we were out clear of the bars, and 

 directed our course to the southward, along shore. At eight, P. M., the 

 entrance of Bulfinch's Harbor bore north, distance four miles; the south- 

 ern extremity of the land bore south-south-east half east, and the northern 

 north-north-west; sent up the main-top-gallant-yard and set all sail. At 

 four, A. M., saw the entrance of our desired port bearing east-south-east, 

 distance six leagues; in steering sails, and hauled our wind in shore. At 

 eight, A. M., being a little to windward of the entrance of the Harbor, 

 bore away, and run in east-north-east between the breakers, having from 

 five to seven fathoms of water. When we were over the bar, we found 

 this to be a large river of fresh water, up which we steered. Many canoes 

 came alongside. At one, P. M., came to with the small bower, in ten 

 fathoms, black and white sand. The entrance between the bars bore 

 west-south-west, distant ten miles ; the north side of the river a half mile 

 distant from the ship ; the south side of the same two and a half miles' 

 distance; a village on the north side of the river west by north, distant 

 three quarters of a mile. Vast numbers of natives came alongside; 

 people employed in pumping the salt water out of our water-casks, in 

 order to fill with fresh, while the ship floated in. So ends. 



May 12th. — Many natives alongside ; noon, fresh wind ; let go the 



* This extract was made in 1816, by Mr. Bulfinch, of Boston, one of the owners of 

 the Columbia, from the second volume of the log-book, which was then in the pos- 

 session of Captain Gray's heirs, but has since disappeared. It has been frequently 

 published in newspapers and reports to Congress, accompanied by the affidavit of Mr. 

 Bulfinch to its exactness. — See p. 236 of the History. 



