144 
COLUMBIA RIVER. 
the 3d of October we passed through the Tongue Point Channel. Be¬ 
fore doing this, we took the precaution to buoy it out, and then towed 
the vessels through at high water. This enabled me to lay down its 
tortuous course with accuracy, although I was aware that there is little 
probability of its remaining over the season without some material 
change. The new and direct channel discovered by us, leading up 
from Tongue Point, will supersede the necessity of using it, and from 
its direct course, is more likely to be permanent; but the channels in 
this river will be always more or less subject to change, from the im¬ 
pediments the large trees drifting down cause, when they ground on 
the shoals. 
The same evening we anchored about two miles above Astoria, and 
in order to lose no time, I proceeded there in my boat to make ar¬ 
rangements for getting off the stores, and embarking every thing pre¬ 
vious 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 accom¬ 
plished 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 of 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. 
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 
pdot-boat in the mouth of the river, or for the relief of vessels in 
