THE HARBOUR OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. (From the Nautical Magazine, March 1849.)

New Zealander, Volume 5, Issue 363, 6 October 1849, Page 2

THE HARBOUR OF SAN FRANCIS CO, CALIFORNIA. (From the Nautical Magazine, March 1849.)

The following remarks on entering the harbour of San Francisco, may be useful to maiters of shins bound to tlint port. T l»ey are tleritcd chiefly from Mr. Richardson, captain of tde port, and also an experienced pilot for that harbour. Ships coining in fivuu tlie south Farallones should run in on aN.E. by l£. h.ilf IS. course, and bring point Lobos on the same beuring, (N. E. by E. hall E.) in order to cros* the bar in 6 and half fathoms, and to keep as nearly mid channel as possible, there beina; a bank of 4 fathoms on the south shore, oiUswde , which

generally lias a heavy swell on it. There is a similar Bunk also on the north shore, extending at least five miles out Between these two banks there is anchorage in 10 12, niul 15 fathoms, as you draw in. After netting insine ami havidg passed the Fort, you can anchor any where in. as far as tho A lent races, there being no hidden danger. In going for Sansalito. with a light wind and ebb tide, Jt will be veiy advisable to steer directly for Angel Island, as the tide sets strong against SansiiW to bay, and tends to heave the ship into deep water. A ship leaving Sansnlito, should avoid being set into Lime UocK. hay, by standing over towards the Fort Point, iind fumi the Fort Point stand across to the northern shore to keep out of the eddy current in the S. 15. bay, outside the fort. The ebb makes on each shore at least two hours before it sets out in the stream, and therefore a ship should not leave the anchorage until the tide had fallen n foot, by the shore. These remarks apply chietly to vessels leaving with a foul wind. If the wind be lair, and of sufficient strength to render the ship perfectly under command, succau then stait at the last of the flood. The ebb tide makes from Ycrba huena Bay, across | towards Lime Rock, thence into Mile Rock liny, (so that ships going out, have not unfrp quently been act between Mile Rock and the main), and fiom that bay ! it runs to the N.W., round point Lobos. 1 Outside the Fort point, the ebb sets to the N»vY. f raund Point Honeta, and the flood runs to the s . EIf the Fall rones are not made, and the position o the harbour not very certain, some difficulty may be experienced in discovering the cntranct particularly from the northward. It may, however, be known by a long sandy strip of land just to the southward of the I'Hinmce, which lias much the appearance of a hay field, and also, not far from this .shore, is a remarkable rock, having an arch in it. To the northward of the entrance, are three or four rocks close in shore, wry white on their tops, and at nearly equal distances from each other. It is to be hoped that these remarks, however meagre , may be of set vice In hazy or foy;gy weaiher, and when cose to the land, in assisting the strauger to find out the entrance to this port. R> M> I* Portsmouth, Feb. 3, 1849