Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 16.djvu/293

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THE PACIFIC COAST SURVEY 271

south, and by the east for the entire width of the river, and for the same distance up the Columbia.

"A light on Cape Hancock, or Disappointment, will be of vast importance to the rapidly increasing commerce of Oregon, as it will enable all vessels to approach the coast boldly, and then to maintain their positions on pilot-ground till daylight, when they will at once be taken into port by highly intelligent pilots now fully established there.

"Very respectfully, sir, I have the honor to be, your ob't serv't, "(Signed) WASHINGTON A. BARTLETT,

"Lieut. U. S. N., Assistant Coast Survey. "To Professor A. D. Bache,

"Superintendent U. S. Coast Survey."

No. 8 is Lieut. Commanding McArthur's report on the establishment of lights at "Cape Flattery and New Dungen- ness, Oregon." This report is as follows :

"U. S. Surveying Schooner Ewing,

"San Francisco, September 25, 1850.

"Dear Sir: The portion of your instructions relating to the in- vestigation of the necessity, or otherwise, of light-houses at Cape Flattery and New Dungenness, has been attended to, and I beg to report as follows:

"I have carefully examined the roadstead of New Dungenness, and find it to be safe and capacious. The holding ground is ex- cellent, and it is well protected from all winds except those from the N. E.; a quarter from which it seldom or never blows so hard as to endanger shipping.

"The ingress and egress are remarkably convenient.

"A point, two and a fourth miles in length, extends from the main land, and completely shelters the anchorage from the strong and prevalent northwest winds. This point is quite low and nar- row, and not discernible at night. On the extremity of this point, I would recommend a light-house of the first power to be built; the shaft to be not less than 80 feet in height. Thus situated, it would guard navigators against the spit, as well as point out the anchorage. The entrance is entirely clear; but, as the profile of the bottom is so precipitous, I would advise navigators to come to anchor in not less than 10 to 13 fathoms water.

"A light-house is much needed also at 'Cape Flattery'; and I would recommend that it be situated on 'Tatoochi island,' a small island almost touching the northwest extremity of Cape Flattery.

"To vessels bound from seaward, a light-house on this island