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]
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]
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]
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.
47°4′57″N 122°59′21″W / 47.08250°N 122.98917°W