148 
COLUMBIA RIVER. 
are obtained, in from thirty to forty fathoms water, about fifteen or 
twenty miles from the land. 
The coast south of the Columbia river I regretted we had not an 
opportunity more particularly to examine: the attempt of the Flying- 
Fish was unsuccessful; the season had advanced so far as to make it 
next to impossible to accomplish it in the manner I desired. I have no 
reason to doubt the correctness of the examinations that have been 
already made. No ports exist along any part of it, that are accessible 
to any class of vessels, even those of but very small draught of water; 
and the impediment that the constant and heavy surf offers, along the 
whole coast, to a landing in boats, makes this part of our territory 
comparatively valueless in a commercial point of view. Along a great 
part of it is an iron-bound shore, rising precipitately from the water. 
Anchorage in a few places may be had, but only in fair weather, and 
during the fine season. For a more particular description of the coast, 
I refer to the Hydrographical Memoir. 
On the 18th, we made Cape de los Reyes and the Farallones. In 
the afternoon we were boarded by a boat from the Company’s bark, 
Cowlitz, in which was her master, Mr. Brochier, and M. Duplot de 
Mofras. The latter informed me that he had just made a tour through 
Mexico and California, and was now going to the Columbia, for a 
passage to Oahu. The same evening, finding that I could not reach 
the port, I anchored in thirteen fathoms water. 
On the 19th, we were under way as soon as the tide made, and at 
3 p. m. we anchored near the Vincennes, in Sausalito Bay, on the north 
side of the entrance. I was gratified to find all well. Lieutenant- 
Commandant Ringgold reported to me that he had fulfilled the instruc¬ 
tions relative to the Sacramento river. Nothing had yet been heard of 
Lieutenant Emmons; and the next day I despatched the launch up the 
river to meet his party. The Oregon came in during the afternoon, 
and I forthwith made such disposition of the officers and men, as I 
deemed the future wants of the service would require; this, and the 
operations of the Vincennes, will form the subject of the next chapter. 
HATS, NORTHWEST COAST. 
