Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-11-22
ropoGRAPHIcAL SURVEY OF THE LAKES.

This survey is now wholly confined, we believe 10 the
Straits Of Macknac Our readers that the work is
conducted under the general direction Of Col ABxar the
competent and gentemany chief Of the Typographical Bu-
Washington Col Albert has entrusted the work to
party Of officers viz Capt J. N Macomb, in charge aud
composed Of LIST Lieut. J. W. Gunison lst Lieut. e. p.
Scammon and I'd Lieut. W. F. Reynolds of the Corps Of
Typographical Engineers The following gentlemen, civil
engineers employed assistants Jacob Houghton jr
II. Gilman, and W. Heardng, Of Michigan, and j. E. Pot
ter, Of Ohio Capt Macombs party arrived from Mackinsc
about week ago. having been actively and zealouy occu
pied during the past in minute examination of the
Straits Capt. Macomb and the gentlemen connected with
him have far important duty before them than un
derstood by the country. The Atlantic coast whiened by
the of every nation, has received millions OF dol
lars from the Government TO aid its survey; and that
work, by its extent and its antiquity regarded Of the
first importance while the Lakes which have suddenly
into notice through bearing large of the business of
the country, have been left without examination and without
the part of the National Government The Straits
of Mackinaw, for instance which is the key 10 Lakes Mich
gan and Superior, wholly unknown except to navsa
tors; and well understood that the knowledge acquired
by gmpses dangers has Of the certainty about
necessary to give confidence and security to navigation
The party have had the little steamer Surveyor formerly the
Albert All told, consists Of about seventy men, which
have been divided during the past season, and portion Of
the force occupied the main land cos the islands having
been principally sounded and nearly completed to
bic Capt. Macomb to form the charts To give some idea Of
of Bos Banc about four miles in circumference has eight
points under the main ian gulaion and in all these there
twenty eight points The surveys at Mackinac have
cupsd the force in hard YORK for years under Capt Ma
comb who is most competent and pesevering occr and
is evident that the greatest benefits will result lake
marine Among other important facts disclosed by their
vey, may mention that about seventeen miles E. ~ E.
of Macknac among what 10 called tbs SHOWS, (chemaux,)
there is 6nc harbor, completely lsnd-locksd, "
agnt, having It's entrance six iathoms OF
ter We unable to give any considerable details Of the
survey, but feeling interest 10 the progress of the
and business Of the Lakes the successful navigation Of which,
and especially through the Straits Of Macknaw, will much
depend upon the charts of the efficient corps Of engineers
oyed and to be employed in the work here cannot do
readers better service than bring before them what
has far been DONE The General Government has been
remarkable for grautous services bestowed upon the great
luke country what done should not be hidden from public
observation.
Lieut.. Gunson employed more than year ago in topo-
graphical service in the Great Salt Lake Valley present
attached to Capt. Macombs party whose headquarters in
this city.
We are indebted of the patty for the following nte
resting note to the editor:
Sir As has for years past invested the waters In
the vicinity Of Saginaw Bay with unfahomabe depth, 1t will
be interesting to have definite information upon the
subject.
g When the United States steamer Surveyor her
wsy the Straits Of Macknac last spring soundings ia
ken on the steamboat route, forty and fifty miles
from Thunder Bay lighthouse off Saginaw Bay, and bottom
found at the depth oftwenty fahoms and at thirty
two fahoms The bettom of sand black and white speck
good specimen having been brought up in both instances
son the of the Surpeyor, the 30th October
sounding taken abreast Of the dock Fort Grao and
the the part OF the ST. Clair river was found
to be seventeen homs, than half deep Sagf
nav vicinity.
There is no account Of any accurate sounding to show
that any point in Of Lake Huron low the
surface ocean, although has frequently been stated to
descend below that level"