Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 18.djvu/103

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

Where Is Point Vancouver? 79

returned above the party, making the land on which they were at dinner an island. This was afterwards found to be about three miles long, and after the lieutenant of the Chatham, was named JOHNSTONE'S ISLAND.* The west point of Bar- ing's river is situated in latitude 45** 28', longitude 237** 41*^; from whence the main branch takes rather an irregular course, about N. 82 E. ; it is near a half a mile wide, and in crossing it the depth was from 6 to 3 fathoms. The southern shore is low and woody, and contracts the river by means of a low sandy flat that extends from it, on which were lodged several .large dead trees. The best passage is close to Johnstone's island; this has a rocky bold shore, but Mr. Broughton pur- sued the channel on the opposite side, where he met with some scattered rocks; these, however, admitted of good passage between them and the main land; along which he continued until towards evening, making little progress against the stream. "leaving now passed the sand bank," says Mr. Broughton, "I landed' for the purpose of taking our last bear- ings ; a sandy point on the opposite shore bore S. 80 E., distant about two miles ; this point terminating our view of the river, I named it after Captain Vancouver; it is situated in latitude 45*» 2/, longitude 237^ 50'*."

The same remarkable mountain*^ that had been seen from Belle Vue point again presented itself, bearing at this station s. 67 E.; and though the party were now nearer to it by 7 leagues, yet its lofty summit was scarcely more distinct across the intervening land, which was more than moderately ele- vated. Mr. Broughton honored it with Lord Hood's name; its appearance was magnificent; and it was clothed in snow from its summit, as low down as the high land, by which it was intercepted, rendered it visible. Mr. Broughton lamented


6 Now Lady's Island, opposite Camas. Washinffton, called by Lewis and Clark Brant Island; Johnstone- Straits in British Columbia waters was named in honor of this same Lieutenant Johnstone.

7 Corrected observation would read about Lat 45*-34' and Long. 237^-36'.

8 This station was on the Oregon shore and seems to have been just above the mouth of the upper or true mouth of the Sandy River.

9 Corrected location would be nearly at Lat. 45^*33' «nd Long. J37^-43'.

10 Mount Hood. /