Texas: the rise, progress, and prospects of the Republic of Texas, Vol.1 Page: 93 of 432
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CHAP. II.]
BAYS AND STREAMS.
41
Fish Shoals, which are just rising high enough to show their
crown above low water mark. At that rate, ten years will
make a marked difference in the position of the present
pass and channels thereabouts. The shoal (having two
and a half feet water over it) coursing down the peninsula
from east to west, and extending one-third of a mile ilnto the
bay, will have followed the formation of the peninsula, and
will probably occupy the position of the channel close to the
peninsula, opposite Decrow's house. Another circumstance
tending to strengthen my belief in the remarkable
changeability of the point of the peninsula, was the effect of
a single storm and flood (which occurred during my sojourn
there) upon the mouths and dimensions of the various
lagoons, ponds and bayous, which course through the west
end of the peninsula in all directions. The light sands
forming the point were driven about so as to change its
appearance materially; some lagoons were opened, others
closed, as if by magic; new sand hammocks sprung up, and
the end of the peninsula, above ordinary low water mark,
made about 100 feet towards west. Such are, and naturally
1will be, the effect of the meeting of strong currents and
violent winds upon low sand flats, in like situations. When
the passage closes entirely, the result will be highly beneficial
to navigation, for it will force the whole body of water
through a much narrower channel, and thus either scour
the bar affecting the main entrance, and produce a greater
depth of water over it, or it will scour some one of the bars
connecting the shoals between Pelican Island and the main
pass. If the main pass be deepened, then that increase will
enable vessels to trade in this bay that draw more water
than any now engaged in the business of the country. If
either of the other bars be scoured, it will open an additional
channel, probably as deep as the present main
entrance, which I judge of sufficient depth to permit the
entrance of vessels drawing nine and a half feet water. This
additional channel will take its direction from the shoals
between which it may lie. The chart will show you at a
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Kennedy, William. Texas: the rise, progress, and prospects of the Republic of Texas, Vol.1, book, January 1, 1841; London. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth2389/m1/93/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .