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About Oregon free press. (Oregon City [Or.]) 1848-1848 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 28, 1848)
reached the 'Californiaii it gives nothing further, how. ings, which are perfectly true, shallowing ever, of importance. The ratified Treaty of Peace Peacock Spit, also were you near the Sout uith Mexicowas signed by President Polk on lhe.4th 'sands of July. MOUTH OF THE COLUMBIA. Tho following letter faora Capt. Netcher will be read with interest touching as il does a matter of so much importance to Oregon. We are pleased to find his vieus coresponding uith our own. Mb. Curry In addressing you a brief synopsis of Iho wreck of the whale ship Maine, of Fairhaven Mass., at the bar of the mouth of the Columbia river, on the 24th of August, 1848. I do so with the view of placing the facts before the public, and exhonorating from censure the imaginary dimculues or the oar at the mouth of the Columbia. 1 arrived pointmi'iit on the 21st, made signal for brisji Henry, Capt. Kilborn, pass the bar without a pilot. On the 23d saw the Mary Dare, Capt. Scar borough, with his signal for pilot, enter and pass the bar supposing that 1 was not near enough for a pi lot to com i out I followed the Mary Dare. The breeze continued with the Mary Dare, but failing me, I was compelled to anchor in 1-4 less than 5 fathom vvalt'r Cape Disappointmeut bearing N. about 2 1 'alliesapprehended no danger until abnut 9 P. M. cnnt on heavy blow from the S. VV., with cross !id driving, me on South Sands. Let go big anchor, ship taking her anchor. At 10 o'clock and 30 min--Ules V. M., ship struck in three and a half fathoms Water. We then lowered our boats to save crew. At 4 A. M., 25lh August, the boats were laying at an chor in the channel discovered the mail and mizen masts gone, could not approach her. We then came up to Astoria the Indians had arrived on the 2ith, with the news that the ship's stern was out and ship bilged, aud cargo floating to sea. I offered one third 1 salvage to any who would save any part of the ves sel, or cargo. Nothing was or could be saved merely saving our lives, as it was then blowing a fresh gale. Had I known the nature of the tides across the bar, I have no doubt but that I could have passed the bar in safety. Not knowing the cross tides, nor the requisite wind, and the absence of a pilot, are, in my opinion, alone the causes of the loss of my vessel. The Henry and Mary Dare passed in safety both without pilots, but the masters of both vessels were well acquainted with the bar, and kept tho wind. With Capt. Scarborough's chart I think I could have passsed in safety, notwithstanding the wind failed me at the time it did, if the breeze had continued, I still think I would have passed in safety. The channel is from seven eights of a mile to a mile and a half wide at low water three and a halB fathoms in the channel. I consider the channel across the bar into Bakor's bay perfectly safe, not withstanding the loss of my ship. There has been seventy pilotages across the bar, in and out, silica the establishment of the Pilotage, with but one loss, that the H. B. Co's ship Vancouver. Had Uw bar at the mouth of the Columbia been an intricate place, it seems to me that with the experience of one man on ly, for about 14 months, if there had been uuusual danger there would have been nioer losses than there has boon. I considered but one danger at the bar, that is tho wind leaving tho vessel while under Cape Disappointment. A ship having a commanding breese can come in or go out at any tune. IP such were not the fact, how could pilots take out and bring in vessels in the night, and in fogs, without any bear ing to guide them iu thier course, but the sound- l consider the Columbia a safe harbo of access, wonld recommend a pilot, if y obtained, should any attempt to pass in wit and the wind fail, it would be most safe side the bar again if possible, without anchc I would recommend whale ships, in want visions, to come to Ue Columbia wood, water, . beef, pork, potatoes, beans, butter and cheese, fact, all the necessary supplies can be obtained he: Yery cheap and that for their trade. The Maine her tonage was 294 cargo on boan, 1450 barrels of whale and 150 barrels sperm oil, 16 000 pounds bone crew -29 all told, and all saved. Sailed Irom Fairhaven, lltb of August, 1846, E. Sawin agent" I cannot conclude without again returning mv oQ' Cano Disan lnanlis lo t,ie citizens of Oregon territory for the many niinf fhrT hospitalities showu me, my officers and crew, wbile puoi, sa v me nn chore. on snore. Astoria, 24 Sept 8 GEO. E. NETCHEH. LEATHER. TIPPER, sole and harness leather, in lots to suit buvers. for sale at Portland, bv 9 W tj F. W. PETTYGROVE and Co. PROVISIONS. BEEF, PORK, SALMON and BREAD for sale low for cash, by W. F. GOODE. Oregon City Oct. 13 '48. (10 OLD STORE. JEW GOODS at Kilborn, Lawton and Co.'s Just Lw received per Henry the following goods : Bro.sheetimr, do. shirting, do. drilling.bed ticks, ribands : bl'k, green and gun powder tea: coffee: sugar: pepper: glass: nails: lead: smo king tobacco: etc. etc. All of which will ne sold low for casb or produce. Oregon City, Sept. 1, '48. S2s. F. W. PETTYGROVE and Co. Oregon City, Portland, and Chahpoeg. BJ EEP constantly on band the usual variety of gro I. cerice, dry goods, hardware, and other merchan diseand deal extensively in Oregon produce. FRANCIS W. PETTYGROVE, A. E. WILSON, July, 15, '48. 15s. david ii'loughlin. NEW STORE. FOR sale at the New Store on Main St., the cargo of Brig Eveline consisting of a large and extensive assortment of Dry Goods, Hardware, Crockery, Groceries, Agricultural Implements, Boots and Shoes, Stoves, Fire-arms, Paints, Iron, and Ready-made clothing. The aqove articles are of superior quality, and will be sold low by (3s.) jH. CLARK. C. L. ROSS, " N. Y. STORE," COR. WASHINGTON AND MONTGOMERY STS., AN FRANCISCO, UPPER CALIFORNIA. , Refer to Kilborn, Lawton and Co., Oregon City,' Geo. Abernetby, do. San Eranciscp, April 1, '48. Is.