Log of the "Chatham 241
in 10 fathoms. Found the bank on which we struck to be a long Middle Ground,^ with not 1 & ^ fathoms in many parts, extended a considerable way up the river.
October 23rd — Moderate breezes and cloudy with rain. 9 a. m. sent the launch and the cutter to explore^ the mouth of the river which was found everywhere to abound in shoals, except near the breakers on the N. W. entrance, in which is a passage near 1 mile broad with 4 to 5 fathoms, it being the only communication to that river, you may always observe it clear. Breakers in fine weather. (Noon) Moderate breezes and clear. 6 (p. m.) The boats still absent from the ship. 8 (p. m.) Fresh breezes and clear, let go the best bower and veered about l/3rd cable. 10 (p. m.) Hoist a light and fired a musquet every half hour as a signal for the boats.
October 24th — 8 (a. m.) Observed the boats tracing along the S. E. shore^ fired two swivels which was returned. Mod- erate breezes and cloudy. 11 (a. m.) Weighed the best bower, found the cable much rubbed and — ? — At noon the launch returned.* At 3 (p. m.) the cutter returned with the Captain.** A|t 4 (p. m.) weighed and came to sail standing up the river. Sent the launch sAead to sound ; at 54 before 5 she made the signal for 3 fathoms. Let go the stream anchor. At j4 P^t 5 p. m. weighed the stream and stood up with very severe
22 Mr. Broughton was in personal charge of this exploring party which spent the night in camp on Young's Kiver, south of Astoria. For complete account see ▼oL fi. pp. S3-54-S5.
33 When at Point George (Smith Point, Astoria). Mr. Broughton sent the launch on board, with orders to sound in a direct line to the Qiatham, then anchored off the deserted village.*'
a4 Vancouver's account (vol. ii, pp. 55*6), is as follows:
From Point (jcorge "Mr. Broughton proceeded in the cutter at a moderate distance from the shore, with sounding of 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 fathoms to Tongue Point On the eastern side of this pomt the shores first fall to the southward, and then stretch nearly E. N. £. From this point was seen the center of a deep Bay, lying at the distance of seven miles, N. 26 E. This Bay terminated the re- searches of Mr. Gray; and to commemorate his discovery it was named after him Gray's Bay. Mr. Broughton now returned on board, in the hope of being able to proceed the next flood tide higher up the inlet In the afternoon he reached the Chatham, finding in his way thither a continuation of the same shoal upon which she had grounded, with a narrow channel on each side between it and the shores of the inlet; on this middle sround the depth of water was in overfals from 3 fathoms to 4 feet. Mr. Broughton got the Chatham immediatelv under weigh, with a boat ahead to direct her course. His progress was greatly retarded by the shoalness of the water. A channel was found close to the northern shore, where, about dark, he anchored for the night in 7 fathoms of water, about two miles from the former place of anchorage."
2$ Off Oiff Point near U. S. Qtiarantiiic Sution. four miles across the river from Astoria. Here the Chatham remained while Mr. Broughton ascended the river in small boats.
