North Head Light House, Washington
The Lewis and Clark party arrived at the mouth of the Columbia River in late 1805. Their first feeling was one of elation over the success of their venture. This was very soon followed by the hard realization that this was a very inhospitable coast indeed. Several miserable days were spent on the north side of the Columbia River, seeking a place to camp away from the driving wind and rain. Respite was eventually found by crossing over to the south side and constructing Fort Clatsop.
Later visitors to these parts were repeatedly reminded of the dangerous nature of the river and the notorious bar across its mouth. Even before Lewis and Clark, this was known as one of the most dangerous places in the world to maneuver a ship. The years since have shown little reason to revise this opinion.
An important aid to mariners is the light house, and there are two close to the mouth of the Columbia. The first was built at Cape Disappointment, just north of the river bar. This light could not be seen by ships traveling from the north, so North Head light was built in 1898, two miles north of the earlier light. Both of these beacons continue to operate and to guide modern day sailors through the legendary “Graveyard of the Pacific”.
A tour of this sentinel of the sea seemed an appropriate ending to our voyages In the Wake of Lewis and Clark”.
The Lewis and Clark party arrived at the mouth of the Columbia River in late 1805. Their first feeling was one of elation over the success of their venture. This was very soon followed by the hard realization that this was a very inhospitable coast indeed. Several miserable days were spent on the north side of the Columbia River, seeking a place to camp away from the driving wind and rain. Respite was eventually found by crossing over to the south side and constructing Fort Clatsop.
Later visitors to these parts were repeatedly reminded of the dangerous nature of the river and the notorious bar across its mouth. Even before Lewis and Clark, this was known as one of the most dangerous places in the world to maneuver a ship. The years since have shown little reason to revise this opinion.
An important aid to mariners is the light house, and there are two close to the mouth of the Columbia. The first was built at Cape Disappointment, just north of the river bar. This light could not be seen by ships traveling from the north, so North Head light was built in 1898, two miles north of the earlier light. Both of these beacons continue to operate and to guide modern day sailors through the legendary “Graveyard of the Pacific”.
A tour of this sentinel of the sea seemed an appropriate ending to our voyages In the Wake of Lewis and Clark”.
