The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-11-15
From the Detroit Free Press.

The Typographical Survey OF the Lakes.
This survey is now wholly confined, we be-
lieve, TO the Straits of Mackinac. Our readers
are aware that the work is conducted under the
general direction Of Colonel Albert, the competent
and gentlemanly chief of the Typographical Blu
reau at Washington. Colonel Albert has entrusted
the work to party Of officers, viz Captain J. N.
Macomb, in charge, and composed of First Lieu
tenant ]. W. Gunison, First Lieutenant f. p.
Scammon, and Second Lieutenant w. F. Rey-
nolds, Of the Corps of Typographical Engineers.
The following gentlemen, civil engineers, are en-
ployed ms assistants Jacob Houghton, jr., H. Gill
man, and w. IIearding, of Michigan, and ]. E.
Potter, of Ohio. Captain Macomb's party arrived
from Mackinac about week ago, having been ac-
lively and zealously occupied during the past sea
son in a minute examination of the Straits. Captain
Macomb and the gentlemen connected with him
have far moro important duty before them than
is understood by the country. The Atlantic coast,
whitened by the commerce of every nation, has
received millions OF dollars from the Government
to aid It's survey; and that work. by is extent, its
importance, and its antiquity, is regarded OF the
first Importance; while the lakes, which have sud-
denly come into notice, though bearing a large
share OF the business of the country, have been
left without examination and without care on the
part OF the National Government The Straits of
Mackinac, for instance, which is the key to Lakes
Michigan and Superior, were wholly unknown ex-
cept to navigators; and it is well understood that
the knowledge acquired by mere gmpses at dan
gers has none of the certainty about il necessary
TO give confidence and security to navigation. The
party have had the little steamer Surveyor formerly
the Albert. All told il consists of about seventy five
men, which have been divided during the past :
| son, and n portion of the force occupied on the
mainland coast, the islands having been principal
! ly sounded and nearly completed so to enable
Capt Macomb to form the charts. To give some
idea OF the elaboratencss and accuracy of the sur
vey, the small island of Bots Blanc, about four
miles in circumference, has eight points under the
main tranguaton; and in all these there are
twenty eight points. The surveys at Mackinac
have occupied the force In hard toorh for two years
under Captain Macomb, who Id most competent
Ind persevcring officer; and II s evident that the
| greatest benefits will result to lake marine
Among other important facts disclosed by their
survey, we may mention that about seveneenInies
east northeast of Mackinac, among what is called
! The SHOWS, (chcmaux) there is fine harbor, com
| pletcly end-locked, il we saw Alright, and having
at its entrance six or seven fathoms of water. w,
are unable to give any considerable details of the
survey; but feeling an interest in the progress o.
the commerce and business of the lakes, the sue
ssfulnavgation of which, and especially through
| the Straits of Mackinac, will go much depend upon
the charts of the efficient corps of engineers EN-
| poyed and to be employed in the work here, we
cannot do readers better service than to bring
| before them what has so far been done. The Gen
cral Government has not been remarkable for gra-
utous services bestowed upon the great lake coun-
try; what is done should not be hidden from public
observation.
Lieutenant Gunison, employed more than year
ago in typographical service i'll the Great Salt Lake
Valley, is at present attached to Captain Macomb's
party, whose headquarters is in this city.
We are indebted 10 one of the party for the fol
| lowing interesting note to the editor:
"SIR: As rumor has for years past invested the
waters In the vicinity of Saginaw Bay with un-
fathomable depth, it will be interesting to have
some definite information upon the subject.
| When the United States steamer Surveyor was
on her way to the Straits of Macsinac last spring
| soundings taken the usual steamboat
route, at forty and fifty miles from Thunder Bay
lighthouse, off Saginaw Bay. and bottom found
the depth of twenty eight tathoms and at thirty
two fathoms. The bottom is of sand, black and
white specks, good specimen having been brought
up in both instances.
On the return of the Surveyor, on the 30th Octo-
Der, sounding was taken abreast OF the dock al
Fort Gratiot, and the water in the narrow part Of
the St. Clair river found TO be seventeen
fathoms more than half as deep as Saginaw vi
cinity.
There is no account of any accurate sounding to
show that any point in the bottom of Lake Huron
is as low as the surface of the ocean; although il
has frequently been stated to descend below thai
level.