344 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



of the entrance, and the swell of the ocean, none but small vessels 

 can safely pass in. From the Tootootutness, the coast continues high 

 until the Bay. of Trinidad, and along it there are many rocky islets, 

 which should ba avoided by the navigator, not only at night, but 

 during the day, as the wind often falls light near the coast ; it will 

 be found stronger in the offing. Redding Rock lies 8 miles from the 

 coast, and 15 miles southwest of the mouth of Rogue's River. Trini- 

 dad Bay offers little or no protection. During the fine season it may 

 be used, as other parts of the coast, for anchorage, but it cannot be 

 considered a port. 



From Trinidad Bay to Cape Mendocino is 18 miles ; the coast is 

 low and sandy, rising in the background into high hills. The usual 

 anchorage is to be obtained off this part of the coast in summer* 



Cape Mendocino is high and rocky. The cliffs continue as far as 

 Point Arena, a distance of 110 miles to the south-southeast. Five 

 miles west of the pitch of the Cape lie Blunt Rocks. From Point 

 Arena to Punta de los Reyes, the trend of the coast is more to the 

 eastward ; they are distant from each other 60 miles. Along this 

 part of the coast there are quantities of kelp and many rocks, though 

 not far from the coast-line. As a general rule, it may be advisable not 

 to pass through kelp, — it indicates rocks ; though on them there may 

 be sufficient depth of water to float the largest vessels, yet it is better 

 to avoid it. Eighteen miles to the north of Punta de los Reyes is 

 Port Bodega ; it is a small and inconvenient bay, and cannot be en- 

 tered except by vessels of light draft of water; the anchorage outside 

 is rocky and dangerous. Wood and water may be obtained there 

 with difficulty. 



Punta de los Reyes is somewhat remarkable, forming a small penin- 

 sula, projecting from the coast some 5 miles south-southwest. The 

 sweep of the coast from Punta de los Reyes to the southeast forms 

 Sir Francis Drake's Bay. It may be known by its white or yellowish 

 cliffs. This bay is entirely open, and exposed to the south and south- 

 east. During the fine season, when the winds prevail from the west- 

 ward, vessels may anchor in it. It cannot be considered as a safe port. 



The coast to the mouth of San Francisco Bay trends to the south- 



* A more particular examination has since been given to this part of the coast by the 

 United States Coast Survey ; a bay was ascertained to exist, which has been called 

 Humboldt, 15 miles south of the Bay of Trinidad. For a description of it, see Coast 

 Survey Papers. 



