Must take the middle of the channel or sail near the
shores of San Jose Point.
To the northeast 1/4 north of the middle of the entrance, an island[67]
is seen, distant about one and a half leagues. This island divides the
water of the flood in two channels in which a vessel may anchor,
especially in the one that runs northeast 1/4 north near the island
where water and wood are to be found in abundance. The vicinity of the
island is such good anchorage that a vessel can anchor within a
pistol-shot of the shore.
To the east-northeast of Point San Jose there is a sheltered harbor,
landlocked, with bottom which diminishes gradually to the shore, where
water and some wood are to be found[68]. In this harbor there is no
current, and for that reason, and because it is so near the point I
consider, it one of the best anchorages.
Once Points San Jose and San Carlos have been passed, and taking care to
leave at one side the principal channel, an anchorage can be made at any
place, because it is sheltered from all winds; the only thing to avoid
is the current, which in the principal channel is five miles, and in its
branches three miles.
This report was made to me by Pilot Don Jose Canizares, to whom I
entrusted the examination of the port, because I was seriously sick.
[52] Pt. San Pedro.
[53] That is: Pt. Almejas or Pt. San Pedro.
[54] Barranca: The dictionary definition is a ravine or gulch, but it
also means a high bluff or cliff and in that sense is used by these
explorers.
[55] i. e.: from Pt. Almejas.
[56] Cliff Rouse Rocks.
[57] Punta del Angel de la Guarda - Point Lobos.
[58] Seal Rocks.
[59] Bakers Beach.
[60] Lobos Creek.
[61] i. e.: Inside of Point San Jose - Fort Point.
[62] Tamalpais
[63] Point Bonita. The present name was given it in 1776.
[64] Golden Gate Strait.
[65] i. e.: The outer harbor; outside of the Golden Gate.
[66] Lime Point.
[67] Angel Island.
[68] The Presidio anchorage.
Reconnaissance of the Port of San Francisco, with Map
-
Report of the Pilot Don Jose de Canizares to Commander Don Juan de Ayala
-
Translation of a Certified Copy of the Original in the Archives of the
Indies at Seville.
Dear Captain: - During the four times that I made reconnaissance of
this Port, and made its map, I found at the northeast and
north-northeast what is shown on the map and I here describe. To the
north-northeast of Angel Island, distant about a mile, there is a bay
running in a direction north-northwest to south-southwest. The distance
between the points forming said bay, is about two leagues, and the shore
line is about two and a half leagues.
