481 DE FUCA'S STRAITS AND 



Another division of boats, with those of the Porpoise, were employed 

 in surveying New Dungeness Bay, and connecting it with Protection 

 Island, while I was occupied in getting a series of observations for 

 latitude and longitude, dip and intensity, at the low sand point which 

 forms the bay. Orders were also prepared for the Porpoise to proceed 

 to Port Tovvnsend ; thence to Fraser's river, visiting Fort Langley ; 

 and then through Johnson's Straits, and round the north end of Van- 

 couver's Island, to Nootka Sound. 



A large boat expedition was also fitted out, of which I took charge 

 in person, to proceed across the Straits of De Fuca, to complete the 

 survey of the Canal de Arro, with the adjacent bays and harbours, and 

 thence to the mouth of Fraser's river, where I anticipated falling in 

 with the Porpoise again. 



On the morning of the 25th, the brig parted company, and in the 

 afternoon I set out, with seven boats, to cross the strait. The wind 

 had been blowing strong, but I did not anticipate much sea or danger. 

 It proved otherwise, however, for the tide was found to be running 

 strong ebb against the wind, producing a very high sea, which made 

 the passage at times perilous. We, however, crossed this distance of 

 twenty miles without any other accident than the loss of a mast be- 

 longing to one of the boats, and reached the opposite shore in safety, 

 though completely wet from the quantity of w r ater we had shipped. 

 The boats all behaved uncommonly well; and many, who had believed 

 them unsafe, were now satisfied that they were admirably adapted for 

 all weathers. Large fires and dry clothes soon restored the men to 

 their wonted good spirits. 



On the 2Gth, we began the survey of this labyrinth of islands, which 

 was continued the next day, 27th, on the afternoon of which I was 

 joined by Passed Midshipman May, with letters from the ship and 

 despatches from Nisqually, informing me of the loss of the Peacock, 

 on the bar of the Columbia, but that all hands were saved. This news, 

 although bad, was a great relief to me ; for I had feared not only the 

 loss of the vessels, but had serious apprehensions for the lives of the 

 persons on board. A heavy load that had long hung over my mind 

 was removed. 



All my plans for the employment of the squadron were now at once 

 to be changed ; for it became necessary for me to proceed without 

 delay to afford relief to our shipwrecked companions. I therefore 

 immediately sent orders to the Porpoise, countermanding her previous 

 instructions, and ordering her to repair forthwith to join the Vincennes 

 at New Dungeness. On the 28th, the duties of our surveys were again 



