LOG OF THE COLUMBIA 355
distant two miles ; the south bore south-east, distant three and a half miles. At nine, a breeze came up from the eastward ; took up the anchor and came to sail, but the wind soon came flut- tering again ; came to anchor with the kedge and hawser ; veered out fifty fathoms. Noon, pleasant. Latitude observed, 46 degrees 17 minutes north. At one, came to sail with the first of the ebb tide, and drifted down broadside, with light airs and strong tide; at three quarters past, a fresh wind came from the northward ; wore ship, and stood into the river again. At four, came to in six fathoms ; good holding-ground about six or seven miles up ; many canoes along side. 7
May 19th. Fresh wind and clear weather. Early a number of canoes came alongside ; seamen and tradesmen employed in their various departments. Captain Gray gave this river the name of Columbia's River, and the north side of the en- trance Cape Hancock, the south, Adams's Point.
May 20th. Gentle breezes and pleasant weather. At one, P. M. (being full sea,) took up the anchor, and made sail, standing down the river. At two, the wind left us, we being on the bar with a very strong tide, which set on the breakers ; it was now not possible to get out without a breeze to shoot her across the tide; so we were obliged to bring up in three and a half fathoms, the tide running five knots. At three quarters past two, a fresh wind came in from seaward; we immediately came to sail, and beat over the bar, having from five to seven fathoms water in the channel. At five, P. M., we were out, clear of all bars, and in twenty fathoms water. 8 A breeze came from the southward ; we bore away to the north- ward ; set all sail to best advantage. At eight, Cape Hancock bore southeast, distant three leagues; the north extremity of the land in sight bore north by west. At nine, in steering and top-gallant sails. Midnight, light airs.
May 21st. At six, A. M., the nearest land in sight bore east-south-east, distant eight leagues. At seven, set top-gallant-
7 This dy Cpt. Gray sailed down stream with the intention of crowing out, but, because of unfavorable conditions, returned up river again to an anchor- age off Chinook Point (Fort Columbia), which was a very favorable spot for observing the capes and the entrance.
8 Good-bye to "Columbia's River." after a narrow escape from disaster upon TlMfnrfc and Clatsop spits on the way out.
