Disappointment, Cape

Disappointment, Cape, projecting into the Pacific Ocean, SW Wash., on the northern side of the mouth of the Columbia River. It was named in 1788 by English Capt. John Meares, who rounded it when searching for the fabled River of the West and was “disappointed” because he could not enter the river (see Northwest Passage). Fort Columbia Historical State Park, a national historic landmark, is on the cape.

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