that point s. 45 e . ; there, a point is formed that ftretches to the fouth-
ward, and admits of a narrow channel of about 4 and g fathoms water,
between them and the fhoal that lies on the eaftern fide o f point Hanlon,
into a fmall cove, lying from that point | s. 50 e . 2 miles diftant. Thefe
Ihoals, extending intirely round the harbour, are in fome parts particularly
on its fouthern fide dry at low water, and on them are lodged great
numbers o f dead trees and logs of drift timber. There are alfo two-
other Ihoals fituated at the diftance of 2 miles to the eaftward of point'
Brown, lying nearly in a north and fouth direction. The eafternmoft,
which is the largeft, and partly a dry fand, nearly connects the two fhoal
banks, admitting a narrow palfage to the north of it with 5 fathoms,
and another to the fouth of it in which there is only 3 fathoms water.
The rife and fall of the tide was here found to be about ten feet, and it-
is high water about go' after the moon paffes the meridian. The only
leading mark for failing into this harbour, are two fmall red cliffy iflets'
lying to the n.w . of point New; the outermoft o f thefe, having the re-’,
femblance of a flower pot, in a line with point Brown, leads over the
center o f the bar ; as alfo, over part o f the northern reef, eafily avoided
by keeping in the depth o f water already mentioned, after .crofling the
bar. Any further nautical information that may be required, will be
found by reference to the fketch o f this furvey.
This port appears to be of little importance in its prefeht ftate, as it-
affords but two or three fituations where-the boats could approach fuf-
ficiently near the fhores to effeCt a landing; the moll commodious place
was at point Brown ; another near point Hanfon ; and one in the- cove
or creek to the s. e . of that point. The fhallownefs o f the water on
the bar alfo renders” it by no means a defirable port. T o pafs this;
is impracticable unlefs near high water, even with veffels o f a very moderate
fize, and it fhould then be attempted with the utmoft caution ;
fince Mr. Whidbey had great reafon to believe that it is a fhifting bar
there being a very apparent difference in the channel on their arrival, and
at their departure, when it feemed to have become much wider but
lefs deep. A dry fand bank which lay near their anchorage the firft evening
on the north fide of .the channel, was now intirely wafhed away b y
the
R O U N D T H E W O R L D ,
the violence o f the fea, which had inceflantly broke upon the Ihoals and
I December.
■ Wood and water are at too: great a diftance to be eafily procured,
particularly the latter, which is found in fmall ..fprings only, running
through the fand near point Hanfon, at the diftance • of a mile, from
the landing place, over a very heavy fand.
The furrounding fhores are low and apparently fwampy, with fait
marlhes ; the foil is a thin mixture o f red and white fand, over a bed of
flones and pebbles. At a fmall diftance from the water fide the country
is covered with wood, principally pines o f an inferior ftunted
growth.
Both the Dasdalus and Chatham had greatly the advantage of the
Difcovery;. -by being detained in port during the boifterous weather
that we contended with. There they procured a molt abundant fup-
p ly of excellent fifh, and wild fowl ; the productions of Gray’s harbour
being fimilar to thofe found in and about Columbia river. Salmon,
fturgeon, and other fifh, were plentifully obtained from the natives,
and geefe, ducks, and other wild fowl, fhot by themfelves in fuch
numbers, as fometimes to ferve.the whole o f their crews. The beft
fporting ground in Gray’s harbour wasfound to be on its fouth fide.
Mr. Whidbey eftimated the number of Indians inhabiting this place
at about one hundred ; they fpoke the Nootka language, but it did not
appear to be their native tongue; and they feemed to vary in little or
no refpect from thofe people we had occafionally feen during the fum-
mer. Their behaviour was uniformly ciyil, courteous, and friendly.
In Mr. Whidbey’s excurfion to the head of the harbour he was vifited by
nineteen of them, who, having fatisfied their curiofity and received fome
trivial prefents, were about to depart, when the boat in endeavouring
to approach a fmall rivulet became entangled amongft fhoals, funken
logs of wood, and ftumps o f trees ; on which there being fome fea oc-
cafioned the boat frequently to ftrike, and rendered its fituation very
difagreeable ; the friendly Indians, perceiving their embarralfment, very
kindly by figns, and other means, afforded them fuch afliftance as foon
M 2 . - conducted