PASSAGES. 



85 



as the prevailing gales enable a vessel to make an offing, either on 

 one tack or the other, and the Straits of Fuca are at all times under 

 the lee, with good harbors and anchorages, and may be entered with- 

 out apprehension. 



PROM THE STRAITS OF FUCA, OREGON, TO SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. 



Between the 3d and 14th of August, 1841. 



This route is along the line of the coast of Oregon, where the pre- 

 vailing winds in summer are from the southwest to northwest ; gene- 

 rally to the southward of west before meridian, and after that time to 

 the northward : the distance is over 10° of latitude. It is advisable, 

 in sailing coastwise, to keep off shore from 60 to 100 miles. The 

 winds will be found much more constant, and there will not be the 

 same liability to fog, and the currents, if any, will be favorable, 

 when bound to the southward. Excepting in the early spring months, 

 there is but little current. From five to seven days will be the 

 average passage. In approaching the harbor of San Francisco, it is 

 advisable to make the Punta de los Reyes, which may be considered 

 the northern point of land, forming the Bay of San Francisco. By 

 this course vessels will avoid the islands and rocks of the Farallones, 

 which lie off from the land 22 miles. The passage is quite safe on 

 either side of these rocks, and they can be closely approached ; but if 

 at night, give them a good berth.* 



The return passage to the northward is more difficult in the fine 

 season, as the prevailing winds and the trending of the coast make it 

 necessary to .beat nearly the whole distance ; but there are times 

 when a vessel may carry the southwest wind from the one port to the 

 other. On leaving the Bay of San Francisco an offing should be ob- 

 tained as soon as possible, from 100 to 150 miles, when any slant that 

 may offer could be taken advantage of, and the passage made in the 

 shortest time. 



* There is some intention of establishing a lighthouse on the largest, which appears 

 to me a very suitable position for one. 



22 



