304 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



Water may be procured in small quantities. For large vessels, the 

 anchorage to the eastward of Neah Island, between it and Sail Rock 

 Point, is to be preferred ; it is more easily reached than the harbor, 

 where the flow and reflow of the tide is regular. Whilst lying within 

 or at the mouth of the harbor, a vessel is liable to foul her anchors 

 unless moored. The set of the tides outside is parallel with the shore. 

 During the summer months fogs prevail after midday, which pre- 

 vent or rather shut out the sight of the land from seaward ; but if 

 the latitude has been obtained, there is no need of apprehension : 

 a vessel may stand on without fear. The wind is generally from the 

 westward in the strait, but dies away a short time after sunset. The 

 nights are calm. The fogs are indicated by a heavy bank of clouds 

 to the westward, which, as the afternoon advances, gradually rises, 

 and is driven in by the westerly breeze ; they continue, or it re- 

 mains hazy throughout the night. On the north shore of the strait, 

 at its mouth, is the harbor of St. Juan. It is nearly opposite to Scar- 

 borough Harbor, and is exposed to the southwest winds ; it is 1 mile 

 wide by 02 deep. Off Quadra and Makomek Points lie clusters of 

 rocks, the Kaset and the Mush Rocks. The depth of water to anchor 

 in is 9 fathoms. The holding-ground is good. Wood and water may 

 be obtained at the head of the harbor, from a creek, near Siki Point. 



In entering the Strait of Fuca, it must be borne in mind that 

 the prevailing winds are either up or down the strait. If they 

 happen to be in the eastern quarter, they will become more easterly, 

 and the same if in the western quarter. The cause of this is, the 

 high lands which traverse the length of Vancouver Island, on the 

 north, and the Olympic Range, on the south. They attain the height 

 of several thousand feet, and act as a funnel, through which the wind 

 draws either way. 



The direct course up the Strait of Juan de Fuca is east-by-south 

 (true). It will lead to New Dungeness Point, which is 80 miles distant. 



The Strait of Juan de Fuca is 95 miles in length, and has an ave- 

 rage width of 11 miles. At the entrance, abreast of Duncan Rock, it 

 is 8 miles wide. The Vancouver's Island shore is rocky, everywhere 

 composed of a conglomerate and a reddish granite, containing several 

 fine harbors, which have been lately surveyed by officers of the Eng- 

 lish government. 



It was not in our power to survey either the north or south shore of 

 this Strait, between Scarborough Harbor and New Dungeness. All 



