Eld Inlet is an inlet located at the southern end of Puget Sound in Thurston County, Washington. It is the second southernmost arm of Puget Sound after neighboring Budd Inlet.[1]

Etymology edit

Eld Inlet was given its present name by Charles Wilkes during the United States Exploring Expedition, to honor one of the expedition's officers, Midshipman Henry Eld.[2][3]

History edit

In May 1792 Peter Puget and Joseph Whidbey of the Vancouver Expedition explored Eld Inlet. At the southern end they found a native village of about 60 inhabitants. Due to the friendly reception Puget called the place Friendly Inlet.[4]

Geography edit

Eld Inlet is about 6 mi (9.7 km) long and has a maximum breadth of 1.24 mi (2.00 km).[5] McLane Creek drains into the southern end of Eld Inlet, forming a large mudflat known as Mud Bay.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Deschutes River watershed area: Budd Inlet - Washington State Department of Ecology". ecology.wa.gov. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  2. ^ Phillips, James W. (1971). Washington State Place Names. University of Washington Press. pp. 19, 44. ISBN 0-295-95158-3.
  3. ^ "Thurston County Place Names: A Heritage Guide" (PDF). Thurston County Historical Commission. 1992. p. 23. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  4. ^ Roberts, John E. (2005). A Discovery Journal: George Vancouver's First Survey Season - 1792. Trafford Publishing. p. 62. ISBN 978-1-4120-7097-3.
  5. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Eld Inlet

47°4′57″N 122°59′21″W / 47.08250°N 122.98917°W / 47.08250; -122.98917