31S 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



BLAKE'S ISLAND AND COLVO'S PASSAGE. 



Blake's Island is triangular in form, with deep water around it ; its 

 sides 1 mile in length, and the island elevated. It forms the protec- 

 tion to Barron's Bay, where good anchorage may be obtained. It lies 

 a mile north of the entrance to Colvo's Passage, which is bounded by 

 Vashon Island on the east, and the Great Peninsula on the west : it 

 is 12 miles in length by half to a mile in width. Throughout its 

 length the water is very deep, with few places where an anchor can 

 be dropped. The shores are bold, and the largest class of vessels may 

 approach close to them. A vessel should not drop anchor, unless 

 from necessity, until she arrives at the southern end, where anchorage 

 may be found in 13 to 17 fathoms, very close to the shore. Should 

 the wind be from the west, which is generally the case, it will be very 

 difficult to get under way on account of the eddies of wind under the 

 bank, 300 feet high. If the tide serves through the Narrows, or the 

 breeze be a commanding one, it would be advisable to stand on and 

 pass through them. 



Colvo's Passage is the shortest and best route to the Narrows. That 

 on the east side of Vashon Island is broad and safe, though a much 

 longer route ; it affords better anchorages than Colvo's Passage, but it 

 is not advisable to take it, as the wind draws through Colvo's Passage, 

 and is more favorable than when passing round the eastern side of 

 Vashon' s Island. 



VASHON' S ISLAND. 



Vashon's Island divides Colvo's Passage from the eastern channel 

 of Admiralty Inlet ; it is 13 miles in length by 3 miles at its greatest 

 breadth ; it rises to the elevation of 700 feet, tapers from its middle 

 north and south, in which direction its length lies. It is composed of 

 rough masses of rocks, and is well covered with timber. 



MAURY'S ISLAND. 



On the east of Vashon's Island, and near to it, is Maury's Island. It 

 is 4 miles in length by 1 wide ; trends northeast and southwest. Be- 

 tween it and Vashon's Island is Quarter-Master's Harbor, which is 

 safe, and of moderate depth. A small neck of land extends from the 



