THE PACIFIC COAST SURVEY 269
Columbia River bar, and the statement is made that vessels drawing 17 feet could be taken over the south bar at ^ flood or 24 eD b without the least risk. In addition, this notice says :
"In addition, I would state that my experience at the mouth of the Columbia, has convinced me that the south channel is the prac- ticable commercial channel of that river for certainty and safety, with the additional advantage of accomplishing the passage, to or from the river, without waiting for a particular wind. Ships fre- quently pass the bar inward in fifteen minutes after receiving their pilot, and outward in thirty minutes after getting their anchors.
"A disabled ship, that can be sailed so as to have good steerage way, can pass over the south bar in safety, when it would be im- possible to get her in by the north channel.
"From the 18th of April, to the 5th of August, 1850, there was no day that the south channel was not practicable for vessels, and was in daily use.
"I crossed the bar (south channel) in the pilot-boat 'Mary Taylor' during the 'heaviest bar' that occurred within the above named period, beating out with the wind ahead.
"The principal pilot of the bar is Captain White, late pilot of New York harbor; he is very intelligent, and competent to his duties, and no accident has occurred at the mouth of the Columbia since September, 1849, when he commenced his duties as pilot.
"The commerce of the Columbia river the great artery of the fertile valleys of the Columbia and its tributaries is rapidly in- creasing; the Pacific Mail Steamship Company's steamers now proceed to Astoria, and return to San Francisco with the monthly mails. A small steamer has been built at Astoria, and is now employed in the river trade. A second steamer was on the stocks when we left the river.
"Regular lines of sailing and steam-propeller vessels, are also established between San Francisco and the various towns on the Columbia; also to Nisqually, and other points in Puget's sound."
No. 6 relates to the lights deemed necessary for San Fran- cisco Bay and its approaches.
No. 7 relates to the report of Bartlett on the proposed light- house at Cape Disappointment, which is as follows :
Washington, November 29, 1850.
"Sir: In answer to your inquiries as to the character of the Light-house, which should be erected at Cape Hancock or Dis- appointment, at the mouth of the Columbia River, Oregon Terri-
