Today, the Oregon State Quarter Coin remembers the “most memorable American voyage” from 223 years ago.
In A History of Oregon published in 1870, William Henry Gray described the first discovery of the Columbia River on May 7, 1792.
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In all countries it is difficult to trace the history of their early discovery and settlement. That of Oregon is no exception. The Spanish claim, and it is generally conceded, that they were the discoverers of the coast, and gave names to the principal capes and to Fuca’s Straits.
No evidence can be found in national archives, or among the native tribes of the country, that gives the discovery of the Columbia River to any civilized people but to the Bostons (Americans); so that, so far as civil history or national testimony is concerned, we are without any, except the conjectures of men as ignorant as ourselves.
Hence we are left to the alternative of searching the old logs of vessels and such old books as have been written, and, in connection with the legends and statements of the aborigines of the country, form an opinion as to its discovery, and from such dates and conclusions commence its civil history. That of Oregon begins eight years previous to the commencement of the present century.
A ship, owned by Messrs. Barrell, Bulfinch & Co., of Boston, and commanded by Captain Robert Gray, discovered and entered the mouth of the third great river upon the American continent.
It then had no name known to the civilized world. This unselfish American, instead of following the example of many contemporary British navigators by giving his own name to the majestic river he had discovered, gave it that of his noble ship, Columbia.
On the 7th of May, 1792, he discovered and ran in abreast of Cape Hancock, and anchored, and on the 11th ran ten miles up this river on the north side, which is now known as a little above Chinook Point, and at 1 p. m. they came to anchor.
On the 14th they weighed anchor and ran, according to the ship’s log, fifteen miles, which would bring them up abreast of Tongue Point, where their ship grounded upon a sand bar for a short time, but they backed her off into three fathoms of water and anchored.
By sounding they discovered that there was not sufficient water to pass up the river in their present channel. Having filled all their water-casks, repaired, painted, and calked the ship, and allowed the vast numbers of Indians that thronged around them in the most peaceable and friendly manner, to visit and traffic with them, on the 20th of May, 1792, they went to sea again.
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For more eyewitness details, the Oregon Historical Quarterly, Volume XXII, from 1921 included the details from Captain Gray’s official logbook and the description from a sailor’s journal.
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The Massachusetts Historical Society early in 1919 received as a bequest from Robert Apthorpe Boit the journals and log books of his grandfather, John Boit. Among these was a journal kept of the Columbia’s second voyage from Boston to the northwest coast of America for the collection of furs from the Indians for the markets of China.
The Columbia’s first voyage is memorable as the first circumnavigation of the globe by an American ship. Captain Robert Gray was in command of the vessel on this first voyage from the time of her departure from the northwest coast to China and retained command throughout the second voyage. This second voyage of which the Boit journal gives an account outshines the first in renown through the fact that in course of it the Columbia river was first entered and was named for the vessel.
Not only thus is the Boit journal a record of probably the most memorable of American voyages but it is also unique in being the only record extant of this voyage as a whole. And of none of the parallel voyages in these fur trading activities of this period by Americans is there a similar complete record.
Of the official log of the Columbia only a remnant is preserved, covering the days from May 7th (1792) to May 21st, or from the time Gray first approached the entrance to Gray’s harbor, to be discovered and by him named Bulfinch harbor, to his return to that vicinity after having entered and named the Columbia river.
First, from Gray’s Official Log Book:
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May 7th, 1792 A. M. — Being within six miles of the land, saw an entrance in the same, which had a very good appearance of a harbor; lowered away the jolly-boat, and went in search of an anchoring-place, the ship standing to and fro, with a very strong weather current.
At one P. M., the boat, returned, having no place where the ship could anchor with safety; made sail on the ship; stood in for the shore. We soon saw from our mast-head, a passage in between the sand-bars.
At half past three, bore away, and ran in north-east by east, having from four to eight fathoms, sandy bottom; and, as we drew in nearer between the bars, had from ten to thirteen fathoms, having a very strong tide of ebb to stem.
Many canoes came alongside. At five, P. M., came to in five fathoms water, sandy bottom, in a safe harbor, well sheltered from the sea by long sand bars and spits. Our latitude observed this day was 46 degrees 58 minutes north.
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John Boit’s Journal:
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AT ANCHOR IN GRAY’S HARBOUR
[May] 7. N. Latt. 46° 58′. Saw an inlet in the land, which had all the appearance of an harbour. Sent the Cutter, under charge of 2d Officer, to examine it. Laying to, a strong current with Squally weather. The Boat returned, and the Officer reported that he could find nothing but breakers at the entrance, but farther in it had the appearance of a good harbor. This appearance being so flattering, Capt. Gray was determined not to give it up.
Therefore ordering the boat a head to sound, with necessary signals, the Ship stood in for the weather bar and we soon see from the Mast head a passage in between the breakers.
Bore off and run in NEBE., having from 4 to 9 fathom sand, an excellent strong tide setting out. The boat having made a signal for anchorage and a good harbor, we continued to stretch on till completely within the shoals when we anchored in 5 fm. in an excellent harbor.
Vast many canoes came off, full of Indians. They appeared to be a savage set, and was well armed, every man having his Quiver and Bow slung over his shoulder. Without doubt we are the first Civilized people that ever visited this port, and these poor fellows viewed us and the Ship with the greatest astonishment.
Their language was different from any we have yet heard. The Men were entirely naked, and the Women, except a small Apron before made of Rushes, was also in a state of Nature. They was stout made, and very ugly. Their canoes was from the Logs, rudely cut out, with upright ends. We purchased many furs and fish.
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The Oregon State Quarter Coin shows against images of Captain Robert Gray and his ship, the Columbia Rediviva.
