On May 11, 1792, the Columbia River is discovered by Captain Robert Gray.
Quote Of The Day
"At eight a.m. being a little to windward of the entrance of the Harbor, bore away, and run in east-north-east between the breakers, having from five to seven fathoms of water. When we were over the bar, we found this to be a large river of fresh water, up which we steered. At one p.m. came to with the small bower, in ten fathoms, black and white sand. The entrance between the bars bore west-south-west distant ten miles; the north side of the river a half mile distant from the ship; the south side of the same two and a half miles distance; a village on the north side of the river west by north, distant three-quarters of a mile. Vast numbers of natives came alongside; people employed in pumping the salt water out of our watercasks, in order to fill with fresh, while the ship floated in. So ends." Captain Robert Gray
Image Of The Day
A painting showing the Columbia Rediviva, under Captain Robert Gray, heeling as it approaches a squall. It was painted by George Davidson, the ship's artist, in 1793. By George Davidson, artist painter who served on board the Columbia Rediviva. Public Domain