Here's how Sandspit works: a set will approach the breakwater ... But it's also a dangerous place to surf. Not only is the bottom extremely shallow and the lips are like jackhammers, surfers ...

As for the surf, the nine or so miles from Ecola Creek ... In an effort to slide the ship off of the rivermouth's immense sandspit, the three masts were hacked off and the cannon were jettisoned ...