Baltimore commercial journal, and Lyford's price-current. [volume] (Baltimore, Md) 1840-1849, 1848-02-26

The Great -i1nerican Lakes.-From the last and
report of Chief Of the Typographical Bureau
have the following official record Of the depth of
and width and aggregate extent of the great Amcri
can Lakes.
The great lakes of our country, which may justly
be considered inland seas and TO which the inland
commerce described in this report relates, are the
following: Champain, Ontario, Erie St. Clair, HUI
ron, Michigan, Superior These lakes are OF great
Depth as well of great extent. The entire line of
lake coast embraces about 5000 miles, 1000 miles OF
which constitute the coast of a foreign power.
Lake Champlain is............... los miles long.
Its greatest width .......... - miles.
Its average width. .......... miles.
Lake Ontario is ................ los miles long.
Its greatest width. 80 miles.
Its average width......... 40 miles.
Lake Erie is. ......,.... 240 miles long.
Its greatest width 80. zee. 81 miles.
Its average width. .......... IS miles.
Lake St. Clair is ......... Is miles long.
It's greatest width. ...... % miles.
lis average width. .......... II miles.
Lake Huron is ... ......,.. 219 miles long.
lis greatest width (not inclu-
ding the extensive bav Of
Georgian, itself 100 miles long
and average 10 widc) isl. lO5 miles.
Its average width. 20 miles.
Lake Michigan is =. ............ $40 miles long.
lis greatest width ......... - miles.
Its average width .... ..... . miles
Lake Superior is................ 42O miles long.
lis greatest width .......... $50 miles.
lis average width .... ..... 100 miles.
These lakes may be considered as connected
throughout their whole extent. Lake Champlan
connects with Lake Ontario by means of the river
RIchclicu; the lock and dam navigation OF st. Law.
renee river; the Ottawa river, the Ridcau canal
through Canada; and the Champlain and Erie canals
of New York. Lake Ontario is connected with Lake
Erie by means of the Wclland canal through Canada
and by means of Oswego and Eric canals through the
State Of New York. Lake Eric is connected with
Lake 81. Clair by the deep and navigabe strait OF
Detroit, % miles long. Lake St Clair is connected
with Lake Huron by the deep and navigable strait
of St Clair, 81 miles long Lake Huron is connected
with Lake Michigan by the deep and wide strait Of
Mackinaw, and with Lake Superior by the strait Of
st. Marys, 40 miles long. This strait is nayigablc
throughout except for about mile Of its length,
Immediately adjacent to Lake Superior, where from
rocks and the extreme rapidity Of the current. nay
cation ceases. These difficulties can, however, be
easily surmountcd by canal of not more than mile
long, with locks fall of about 81 feet.
The only additional obstruction to this immense cN-
tent Of inland navigation is in ST. Clair lake, on ap-
preaching the st. Clair strait. This obstruction con-
sists Of extensive bar but Of great width, over
which not than seven feet water, in depressed
conditions Of the lakes can be counted upon. From
an examination of this hoal, it has been found 10 con-
sist of indurated mari, leaving but little cause of
doubt that if channel once dredged through, 1t
would remain a durable Improvement
Lake Champlain lies exclusively Except the strait
pousos point) within the State Of Vermont and
New York; the former occupying its eastern, the
latter its western margin 1t is not considered dan
gcrous lake to navigate; and the principal protection
which its commerce requires, is in form OF break
waters, 10 shelter its open harbors.