ÆäÀÌÁö À̹ÌÁö
PDF
ePub

and when in its vicinity the lead gives no warning of their presence. In thick weather the greatest caution should be observed and the reef given a good berth.

HUMBOLDT BAY

(chart 5832) is the first important harbor north of San Francisco. The entrance is 21 miles northward of Cape Mendocino Lighthouse. A large amount of lumber is shipped to both foreign and domestic ports; considerable quantities of farm and dairy produce, livestock, leather, and fish are also shipped, mostly to San Francisco. General merchandise, fuel oil, and coal are received.

Since the improvements by the Government, the bay can be used as a harbor of refuge in impending bad weather, provided it can be made before the bar becomes impassable.

The bay consists of two shallow basins connected by a narrow channel about 5 miles long; the entrance to the bay being at the junction of this channel with the southern basin.

The northern basin is about 3 miles in diameter, with low, marshy shores cut by numerous sloughs. There are two channels, the Mad River Channel, leading into Mad River Slough, and the Arcata Channel, leading to the railroad wharf at Arcata. The former is now abandoned; the latter has a depth of 20 feet (6.1 m.) until within 14 miles of the railroad wharf, where it shoals to a least depth of 12 feet (3.7 m.). This channel is marked by beacons. Indian, Woodley, and Daby Islands, low and marshy, lie in the entrance to the northern basin.

The southern basin is about 3 miles long and 2 miles wide. There are two channels, one leading toward Southport, the other past Fields Landing to Hookton, at the head of Hookton Slough. The Southport Channel has a least depth of 9 feet (2.7 m.), but is little used. The Hookton Channel has a controlling depth of 17 feet (5.2 mag.) to Fields Landing, and is marked by beacons and buoys. In 1925 the northern entrance to this channel was changing and considerable difficulty was experienced in getting the lumber schooners in and out.

Eureka, the principal town on the bay, is situated on the eastern shore, about 4 miles northward of the entrance. It handles most of the water-borne traffic of the bay, and is the terminus of a railroad from San Francisco, although a branch of the road continues to Arcata, Samoa, and Trinidad.

The approach to Eureka from the main channel through the bay is through an almost straight natural channel, which has been improved by dredging to a width of 300 feet, and a depth of 17 feet (5.2 m.) at mean lower low water. In 1925 this channel had shoaled along the docks and there was need of dredging.

Arcata is situated on the north shore of the northern basin. A railway from the town leads southward across the flats at the head of Arcata Bay to a wharf near the head of Arcata Channel. Lumber is shipped from this wharf. The channel leading to it is well marked by beacons, some of which are lighted, but the depths are shoal, and vessels approach the wharf only on tide.

The old wharf 3 mile eastward of the Arcata Wharf is now in ruins. The rock for the jetties, which was formerly shipped from this wharf, is now shipped direct to the north jetty by rail.

Samoa, on the western shore opposite Eureka, is the terminus of a railroad from Arcata. There are large sawmills here, and a considerable amount of lumber is shipped. There is a least depth of about 18 feet (5.5 m.) in the channel leading to Samoa, and 20 feet (6.1 m.) alongside the docks. The stacks of the mills here are prominent. There is regular ferry service between Samoa and Eureka.

Rolph is a small town on the western shore 2 miles southward of Samoa. There was formerly a large wooden shipyard here but it is not in operation now.

Fields Landing, on the eastern shore of the south basin, is reached by the Hookton Channel. There is a large sawmill here and considerable lumber is shipped. There are depths of 18 to 20 feet (5.5 to 6.1 m.) alongside the loading wharf. It is on the railroad and highway.

Along the eastern shore of the bay southward from Eureka are several sawmills, with docks built out to the channel, from which lumber is shipped.

Prominent features.-Table Bluff Lighthouse, 4 miles southward of the entrance, is the best landmark by night. By day, the smoke from the sawmills on the bay can usually be seen. The old lighthouse and the lookout station near the end of the north spit are good day marks. Humboldt Bay fog-signal station (white frame building; fog signal, blast 3 seconds, silent 17 seconds) also near the end of the north spit, is the guide in thick weather.

Red Bluff, on the eastern shore of the bay abreast the entrance, is a small hill 100 feet (30.5 m.) high, and noticeable on account of the lower land surrounding it.

The approach to the bay is marked by a gas and whistling buoy (flashing white light) placed 114 miles west-northwestward from the end of the south jetty. The outer bar bell buoy is located in 11 fathoms (20.1 m.) of water 3/4 mile west-northwestward from the same point.

The bar is being improved by the Government by the construction of two jetties, 750 yards apart. The south jetty, which is completed, extends west-northwestward a distance of 7 mile from the northwest point of the south spit. This jetty has settled in places, and work is under way restoring it to its former height. The north jetty has been lengthened 80 yards during the past year, and now extends to within 65 yards of its projected length.

In August, 1925, there was a least depth across the bar of 27 feet (8.2 m.), in a channel 500 feet wide. The channel over the bar is subject to considerable shifting and shoaling at times, especially during the winter months. For this reason there are no range marks established, and buoys are changed frequently. The local pilots keep careful watch over the bar conditions and often sound out the channel before attempting to take out deep-draft vessels. Due to conditions of the inside channels as well as the bar, 2112 feet (6.6 m.) is the usual maximum draft to which vessels are loaded in Humboldt Bay.

The Humboldt Bar is a treacherous one, and many disasters have occurred here. The bar is smoothest during the last of the flood

tide, and it is often passable at this time and impassable two hours later, when the ebb tide has set in.

Within the jetties is an area of rapid changes which must be navigated with great caution.

Strangers without local knowledge are advised to employ a pilot in entering.

From within the jetties the channel curves northward and passes close under the eastern point of the north spit, then continues northward for 314 miles to the entrance to the north basin. Here it divides into three branches, the eastern one called the Eureka Channel, passing along the water front of Eureka, the middle one. between Indian and Woodley Islands, and the western and largest one between the north spit and Indian Island. The western channel divides into Mad River and Arcata channels immediately northward of Indian Island; the eastern channel runs into Eureka Slough.

Anchorage.-The best anchorage is from a point about 1/4 mile northward of the red buoy abreast Bucksport Wharf to the post light marking the entrance to the channel leading to the water front at Eureka. Vessels in anchoring must keep clear of the cable crossing the channel from a little below the red post light on Brosnon's Wharf to the western shore. It is forbidden to anchor in Eureka Channel longer than 24 hours at a time. If obliged to anchor outside the bar, the best anchorage will be found a little southward and westward of the gas and whistling buoy in about 15 fathoms (27.4 m.) sand and clay bottom; anchors as a rule are hard to break out. Pilots and Towboats.-Pilots and towboats are available. Vessels desiring their services should radio ahead to the Humboldt Stevedoring Co. at Eureka. Pilots may also be obtained by making a flag signal to the Coast Guard station accompanied by three blasts of the whistle. The master of the towboat acts as a pilot. The towboat is rated at 700 horsepower, and is well equipped for bar work. Towage charges for light vessels inward and loaded vessels outward or vice versa are 60 cents per 1,000 feet lumber cargo, and 15 cents per ton general cargo.

Pilotage rates vary from $50 (in and out) for a vessel under 500 gross tons, to $400 for a tramp steamer (in and out and moves between docks).

Harbor regulations are prescribed by the board of harbor commissioners, and are enforced by the harbor master.

Marine hospital.-A relief station of the United States Public Health Service, in charge of a service officer, is located at Eureka. Quarantine.-Regulations of the United States Public Health Service are enforced. The quarantine station is at Rolph.

Storm warnings are displayed by the United States Weather Bureau from the roof of the Federal Building, Eureka, plainly visible from the anchorage, and also at Humboldt Bay Coast Guard Station at the North Jetty.

The customhouse is at Eureka.

Supplies.-Fuel oils, provisions, water, and ship chandlers' stores can be obtained at Eureka. Coal can be had in limited quantities only.

Repairs.-Minor repairs to machinery and to woodwork above water can be made. There are no dry docks or marine railways.

A Coast Guard station is located inside the north spit, 11⁄2 mile northward from the end. A lookout tower is located on the seaward side of the spit, abreast the station.

Communication is by rail to San Francisco, and by regular lines of steamers plying between Columbia River, Coos Bay, Humboldt Bay, and San Francisco. There is also considerable irregular traffic in large launches to various local points north and south. A United States naval radio station is located on Table Bluff. Communication may also be had by telegraph and telephone or by commercial radio at Eureka.

Currents. The tidal currents follow the general direction of the channels. In the main channel the average velocity at strength is less than 2 knots, and the maximum does not exceed 3 knots. Between the jetties the average velocity at strength is about 2 knots, with a maximum of about 4 knots.

DIRECTIONS, HUMBOLDT BAY

Strangers of deep draft, or with any sea on the bar, should take a pilot. It should be borne in mind that the bar is subject to change, so that strangers can not rely on finding the charts correct or the buoys indicating the best water.

From southward. From a position 1 mile westward of Blunts Reef Light Vessel, a 30° true (N. % E. mag.) course made good for 232 miles leads to Humboldt outside bar gas and whistling buoy. At night Table Bluff Lighthouse should be made shortly after passing Blunts Reef Light Vessel, and when nearing the entrance the lights in Eureka will be seen. In thick weather, after passing False Cape Rock, all dangers will be cleared by keeping in a depth of over 15 fathoms (27.4 m.) until up with the gas and whistling buoy, where anchorage should be made until a pilot is obtained.

From northward.-From a position 3 miles westward of Trinidad Head Lighthouse a 187° true (S. by E. 1% E. mag.) course, made good for 17 miles, leads to the gas and whistling buoy.

On this course Table Bluff Lighthouse, 5 miles southward of the gas and whistling buoy, should be made ahead. In thick weather the depths should not be shoaled to less than 20 fathoms (37 m.) between Turtle Rocks and Trinidad Head, and when southward of the head the depths should not be shoaled to less than 15 fathoms (27.4 m.) until up with the gas and whistling buoy, where a vessel should anchor until a pilot is obtained.

From seaward.-Vessels can stand in boldly until sure of their position when the course should be shaped for the entrance. In clear weather, the high land of Cape Mendocino and Punta Gorda southward and Trinidad Head northward of the entrance are good landmarks. At night the lights are a good guide. In thick weather soundings should be taken frequently, and upon getting depths of 30 fathoms (55 m.) or less great caution must be exercised until sure of the vessel's position.

Sailing vessels during the prevailing northwesterly winds of summer should endeavor to make the land in the vicinity of Trinidad Head, which gives them a fair slant for the entrance, and is an additional precaution against the irregular southerly set of the current. In thick weather soundings should be taken constantly when inside of 50 fathoms (91 m.). Making the land northward of the entrance avoids the irregular bottom and dangerous currents in the vicinity of Cape Mendocino. The description of the features of the coast are given under the heading "Coast from Cape Mendocino to Point St. George," page 123.

From the gas and whistling buoy: Due to the frequent changes in the entrance, no directions of permanent value can be given. The latest chart and the buoys are the guides. Once inside the bay, the channels are well marked by beacons and buoys and are easy to follow.

COAST FROM POINT ST. GEORGE TO CAPE BLANCO

From Point St. George to Cape Blanco, a distance of about 60 miles, the coast trends in a general northwesterly direction, with a shallow bight, Pelican Bay, immediately northward of Point St. George. The beach is fringed by numerous rocks and sunken ledges, but, with the exception of Rogue River and Orford Reefs, these in general do not extend over 1 mile from shore. The 30-fathom (55 m.) curve follows the general trend of the coast, and in thick weather may be considered as the limit inside of which it is unsafe to approach, but in the vicinity of Rogue River and Orford Reefs the depths should not be shoaled to less than 50 fathoms (91 m.).

For about 10 miles northward of Point St. George sand dunes, with a broad sand beach, extend to the mouth of Smith River. Lake Talawa and Lake Earl, surrounded by low, marshy land, lie behind this stretch of dunes.

A small rock, about 20 feet (6.1 m.) high, lies 134 miles south of the mouth of Smith River and nearly 1/2 mile offshore.

A cluster of three low rocks lies nearly 1 mile offshore and 1% miles 200° true (S. mag.) from Prince Island.

Pyramid Point, a rocky knoll 250 feet (76 m.) high, marks the north point of Smith River.

Prince Island, of small extent and 187 feet (57 m.) high, lies mile offshore abreast Pyramid Point. Hunter Rock, doubleheaded and somewhat smaller, but of the same elevation, lies 14 mile north of Prince Island; several other smaller rocks are in the vicinity.

Between Smith River and Chetko River, a distance of nearly 7 miles, the coast is composed of low, rocky cliffs, bordered by numerous rocks and ledges, sunken and awash, and is backed by a low, narrow table-land. Several prominent, rocky knolls rise from 100 to 200 feet (30.5 to 61 m.) above this table-land. The Winchuck River, a small stream with 11⁄2 mile of low sand dunes on the south side of its mouth, empties 3 miles northward from Prince Island. The outermost rock awash lies nearly 111⁄2 miles offshore southwestward from the Winchuck River, or 234 miles 335° true (NW. % W. mag.) from Prince Island.

« ÀÌÀü°è¼Ó »