OREGON TERRITORY. 



307 



south ; a north-by-east course from off Point Watmaugh will pass 

 clear of James's Island. The water is deep. There are but two dan- 

 gerous reefs, the Bird and the Peapod Rocks, which lie near mid- 

 channel ; the first about 1 i miles south-southeast of James's Island ; 

 the former, between Hull's and Sinclair Islands. 



CANAL DE AERO. 



The Canal de Arro lies between the Archipelago of Arro and the 

 east end of Vancouver's Island ; it is the shortest and most direct 

 route into the Gulf of Georgia, from the Strait of De Fuca. The 

 distance from Point Gonzalo, the southeastern extremity of Van- 

 couver Island, to Java Head, the northeast point of the same island, 

 is 22 miles. Henry, Stuart, Speiden, John's, Waldron, and Gourd 

 Islands, lie near to and on the east side of the channel course, which 

 is north half west : this passes to the west of Stuart Island, and be- 

 tween it and Noon Island; thence north 60° east, 9 miles, brings 

 abreast of Java Head ; then steer for Gourd Island, and stand over to 

 the east for Point Roberts, on the mainland, to anchor in Drayton or 

 Birch Bay. Point Roberts is 7 miles south of the boundary line. 

 The Canal de Arro is free from dangers. The tides set very much 

 in the channel course above indicated, which may be called the 

 Fairway. The prevailing winds permit vessels to steer this course 

 through it both ways. Should the wind be ahead, there is ample room 

 for beating, and no dangers unless close to the shores of the islands. 

 There are few places where an anchor can be let go, on account of 

 the depth of water and the rocky bottom ; but anchorage need not be 

 resorted to, unless in case of absolute necessity, and those places indi- 

 cated on the chart are the best. 



DRAYTON AND BIRCH BAYS. 



Drayton Bay lies east of Point Roberts, and has an irregular outline ; 

 its northern part is filled with mud, and bounded by a low marsh, 

 through which one of the branches of Frazer's River formerly dis- 

 charged. There is a cove on the east side, a snug harbor for small 

 vessels. A small peninsula divides Drayton from Birch Bay. The 



