"Reconnaissance of Port Gamble" (Non-Colored) U.S. Coast Survey 1856

Publisher: U.S. Coast Survey Office

Date: 1856

Size: 11 x 14 inches

Description: Sitting at the mouth of the Hood Canal this map depicts the waters of Port Gamble. Writing in her book Place Names of the Pacific Northwest Coast, Lynn Middleton share how Port Gamble was named, "Named by the Wilkes Expedition in 1841 after Lieutenant Robert Gamble who was wounded by the bursting of the bow gun on the United States frigate President during a battle with the Belvidere, on June 23, 1812. For time it was called "Teekalet", an Indian word meaning "brightness of the noonday sun" because the sun at noon shines with peculiar splendor on the sands of the bay" (86). Both copies of the map are identical in their visuals but one map has been given a backing for extra support.

Further information about this coast survey is as follows from the report given by The Superintendent of the Coast Survey in 1862 concerning how to reach and enter Port Gamble.

"After passing Foulweather bluff keep closer to the eastern shore than to the western, to avoid the strong current passing round the low point which makes out from Hood's Head. Run for the saw-mill, plainly in sight, on the western side of the entrance to the bay, and when within a mile of it approach the eastern bluff within the third of a mile, in about 10 to 15 fathoms, gradually drawing closer in shore, and passing between the outer white and inner black can buoys. At the lowest tides the white one [buoy] is in 15 feet, the black in 12 and half, and the small spar buoy between them in mid-channel in 17 feet, but it rarely shows above water at any tide. After passing these buoys the mill bears almost S.SE. half a mile distant. Steer SE., or half-way between the mill wharf and the east point, pass to the east of the white spar buoy, which is in 12 and half feet, and run through the entrance, passing the wharf at about one-third of the distance between the points. Do not round up to the eastward, as a shoal makes out almost parallel with the point. It may be here noticed that these buoys were made and placed by the Puget Mill Company, for the benefit of vessels trading to the port.  

If the wind is ahead while beating up, it will be impossible for a large sized-vessel to get in, as the channel is half a mile long, and not over 100 yards wide at the narrowest part. Anchor off the buoys, and drop in with the early flood, or warp in with the last of the ebb. On the shoal forming the western side of the passage ten feet may be found until up with the white spar buoy. 

Inside of the points the bay appears to open well under the eastern one, but the 3-fathom line makes out on a line with the end of the point. On the western side is a crib, around which a shoal has formed-anchor just beyond it in five fathoms, soft muddy bottom. The depth of water throughout the bay is from four to nine fathoms, with mud bottom. The length of the bay is 2 and quarter miles, its width three-quarters of a mile, and its direction southeast. the shores are steep, but not high, and are bordered by sand and pebble beach, offering capital chances for laying a vessel out. A better place, however, for that purpose, is at the end of the store wharf, especially for vessels with large dead rise.

In summer the wind generally blows into the harbor lightly; in winter the SE. gales draw directly out. Loaded vessels must warp out in summer, or trust to a light southerly air in the morning, with an ebb tide. None but small, smart working vessels can beat out, and few of those have done so within the channel limits.

The approximate geographical position of the eastern point of the entrance is:

Latitude 47º 51' 32" North, Longitude 122º 33' 56" West, Or in time 8 hours 10 minutes 15.7 seconds."