The Columbia River Bar
Where the Columbia River dumps into the Ocean is called the Columbia Bar. It is known as an extremely dangerous place for ships of all sizes. As you read about the bar think of how parallels our spiritual lives.
The Columbia Bar is a bar at the mouth of the Columbia River between the U.S. states of Oregon and Washington. The river's current often dissipates into the Pacific Ocean as large, standing waves, partially caused by the deposition of sediment as the river slows. These standing waves are usually mixed with ocean waves and wreak havoc with vessels of all sizes. The Columbia current varies from 4 to 7 knots westward and therefore into the predominantly westerly winds and ocean swells, creating significant surface conditions.[1][2] Unlike other major rivers, the current is focused "like a firehose" without the benefit of a river delta.[3] Conditions can change from calm and serene to life-threatening breaking waves in as little as five minutes due to changes of direction of wind and ocean swell.[citation needed] Since 1792, approximately 2,000 large ships have sunk in and around the Columbia Bar.
The nearby United States Coast Guard station at Cape Disappointment, Washington is renowned for operating in some of the roughest sea conditions in the world and is also home to the National Motor Lifeboat School. It is the only school for rough weather and surf rescue operation in the United States and is respected internationally as a center of excellence for heavy boat operations. [4]
Approximately 16 bar pilots, earning about $180,000/year, guide ships across the bar, often approaching the ships by helicopter.[5] They generally consider "the bar" to be the area between the north and south jetties and Sand Island.
The Columbia Bar is part of a set of major marine coastal hazards along the Pacific Northwest coast, including Cape Flattery at the northwest tip of the Olympic Peninsula and Cape Scott, which is at the north tip of Vancouver Island. Historically this region's nickname to mariners was the Graveyard of the Pacific, and the region is studded with thousands of shipwrecks. The "Graveyard" also includes the rocky, rugged shoreline of the west coast of Vancouver Island, the shores of the Olympic Peninsula, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.[6][7]
As a practical tip, small craft are advised to cross the bar during times of incoming flood tide, staying toward the outside of the navigational channel to avoid the frequent large ships which move at 20 to 30 knots."
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
What parallels can you draw to life from the Columbia River Bar?
Who can the bar pilots symbolize?
When do we come to bars in our life?
What can help us prepare for the bars of life?
How important is it that we listen to those who have been through the bar.
What could the sand bars symbolize?
We learn from another symbolic story of the Barges of the brother of Jared, what to do when we are tossed by the waves of life:
"And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters."
Ether 6:7
Often we "float" through life not worrying what is ahead. And then come to a point where we are spiritually tested. Let us listen to our spiritual leaders, those who have gone before. Let us prepare spiritually for the bars of life, let us beware of the hidden sand bars. Let us be humble enough to seek help and follow the council of the brethren. That we may not be buried in the depths of trials, let us "cry unto the Lord," for he is "mighty to save" In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
