The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-12-03
From the Baltimore .imericaa
THE FIRST VESSEL WHICH NAVlGATED
THE WESTERN LAKES

The following account which we extract from that
excellent periodical, Hunts Merchants Magazine is
translated from an old French work, printed in 1898
entitled, "An account of the discovery of a very
great country situated in America by Father Hen
nepin Ii will be read with interest by all
1t now became necessary for La Sale in further
of his object TO construct vessel above the
falls of Niagara, sufficiently large to transport the
men and goods necessary TO carry on profitable
trade with the savages residing the western lakes
On the 22d of January, 1879, they went six miles
above the falls TO the mouth Of small creek, and
there built dock convenient for the construction of
their vessels
On the Goth Of January the keel and other pieces
being ready La Sale requested Father Hennepin 10
drive the first bolt but the modesty of the good IA
theirs profession prevented.
During the rigorous winter, La Sale determined
10 return to Fort Fronenac and leav ng the dock in
charge OF an Italian named Chevalier Iuti, he start
ed accomp inied by Father Hennepn as far as Lake
Ontario, from thence he raversed the dreay forests
to Frontenac on foot, with only two companions and
dog which drew his baggage on sled, subsisting
nothing but parched corn and even that failed him
two days Journey from the fort. In the mean time
the building Of the vessel went under the suspi-
cous eyes of the neighboring savages although the
most part of them had gone to war beyond Lake
Erie. One of them, ieignlng ntoxication attempted
the life Of the blacksmith who defended himself sue
ccssfully with red bar of iron. The timely warn
Ing of friendly squaw ayertcd the burning of their
vessel on the stocks which was designed by the saw
ages The woIkmen were almost dsheartened by
frequent alarms and would have abandoned the work
had they not been cheered by the good father, who
represented the great advantage their perseverance
would afford and how much their success would re-
dound the glory of God. These and other induce
ments accelerated the work. and the vessel was soon
ready to be launched, though not entirely finished
Chanting TIE Deum, and firing three guns, they
mitted her to the river amid cries of JOY, and swung
their hammocks in security from the wild beasts and
still more dreaded Indians.
When the Senecas returned from their expedition
they were greatly astonished at the floating fort,
(Which struck terror among all the savages who lived
on the great lakes and rivers within 800 miles,
Hennepn assembled the river in a bark canoe with
one of his savage companions as lar as Lake Erie.
They twice pulled the canoe up the rapids, and
sounded the lake for the purpose of ascertanng the
depth He reported that with favorable strong
north or northwest wind the vessel could ascend to
the lake. and then sail without difficulty over its
whole extent Soon after the vessel was launched
in the current of Niagara about IL miles from the
lake, Hennepin left i, for Fort FrontcnaG, and
turning with La Sale and two other fathers, Gabriel
and Zenobe Mambre anchored in the Niagara the
3Oth July, 1879. On the 4th of August they reached
the dock where the ship was bult, which he calls
distant Is miles from Lake Ontario, and proceeded
from thence in Il bark canoe 10 their vessel, which
they found at anchor three miles from the "beauti-
full Lake Erie"
The vessel was of g. tons burden completely
rgged and found with all the necessaries, arms, pro
4
cannon on board, two of which were of brass
There was griffin flying at the jib boom, and an
eagle above. There also all the ordinary orna-
ments and other fixtures which usually grace ship
of war.
They endeayored many times TO ascend the current
Of the Niagara into Lake Erie without success, the
wind not being strong enough. Whilst they were
thus detained La Sale employed few OF his men in
clearing some land on the Canadian Shore opposite
the vessel and in sowing some vegetable seeds for
the of
place.
At length the wind being favorable they lightened
the vessel by sending most of the crew shore and
With the aid OF their sails and ten or dozen men at
the tow-lines assembled the current into Lake Erie
Thus the 7th of August 1919, the first vessel set
sail on the unried waters of Lake Erie. They
seered southwest, after having chanted their never
falling TIE Deum and discharged their artillery in the
presence of a vast number OF Seneca warriors. 1t
la been reported to yoyager' that Lake Erie as
full of breakers and sand banks which rendered
safe navigation mpossible they therefore kept the
lead going sounding from time to time.
After sailing without difficulty through Lake Erle
they arrived on the | lth of August at the mouth OF
the Detroit river, sailing up which they arrived at
Lake ST. Clair, to which they gave the name 1t bears
After being detained several days by contrary winds
at the mouth Of the st. Clair river they at length
succeeded in entering Lake Huron on the 23d of Au-
gust, chanting TIE Deum through gratitude for a safe
navigation thus far. Passing along the eastern shore
Of the lake they sailed with fresh and favorable
wind until evening, when the wind suddenly veered
driving them across Saginaw Bay, (Sack.naw.) The
storm ragged until the oath, and was succeeded by a
calm which continued until next day noon, (25th,)
when they pu sued their course until midnight. AS
they doubled point which advanced into the lake,
they were suddenly struck by furious wind which
forced them to run behind the cape for safety. On
the 26th the violence of the storm compelled them
to send down their lopmasts and yards, and to
stand in, for they could find neither anchorage or
shelter.
1, a. The hanr tnF Ia SuIl 70 m
the whole crew fell upon their knees to say their
prayers and prepare for death except the pilot whom
they could not compel TO follow their example, and
who on the contrary "dd nothing all that time but
curse and against NJ La Sale, who had brought
him thither to make him perish in nasty lake, and
lose the glory he had acquired by his long and happy
navigation the ocean,. Ga the 9th, favored with
less adverse winds, they arrived during the night at
MssilIimacknack, and anchored in the bay, where
they report iathoms of water and clay bottom
This bay they state protected the southwest west
and northwest, but open to the south. The savages
struck dumb with establishment at the size of
their vessel, and at the noise of their guns.
Here they RECALLED themselves on the delicious
trout, which they described as being from 50 TO 60
lbs. in weight, and aiording the sayages their
principal subsistence. On the ID of September they
left Macknaw, entered Lake Michigan, (lllinois) and
sailed 40 leagues TO an island at the mouth OF the
Bay of Puars, (Green Bay) From this place La
Sale determined TO send back the ship laden with
iurs to Niagara The pilot and five men embarked
in her, and the 18th she fired gun and set sail on
her return with favorable wind. Nothing more
was heard from her, and she undoubtedly fonndered
in Lake Huron with all on board. Her cargo was
rich and valued at 90, 900 liyres.
Thus ended the first voyage of the first ship that
sailed over the Western Lakes. What contrast is
presented between the silent waves aud unbroken
forests which wncssc the course Of that adyentur-
Gus bark and the busy hum Of commerce which now
from the fertile bottoms and the thousand ships
and smoking palaces which now iurrow the surface
of those inland seas
There can be but little doubt that the place they
selected for building their bark the mouth OF
Cuyuga creek, about miles above the falls Gov
ernor Cass says "the vessel was launched at Erie !;