Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-11-26
The CLOSING OF NAucArIoN.-Our harbor

THE CLOSING OF NAWGATIoN.-Our harbor
was scene of unusual hustle on the day of
our last issue, the 10Th inst, and we left our
sanctum ut noon to witness the simultaneous
departure of sixteen of the noble craft, bound
for Chicago for the last time this season. The
merry sound of the "heave-ho," the clanking
of the wndlass heaving the heavy anchor, the
shaking of the unfurled canvas in the wind, the
stentorian voice of the officers giving their va
rious orders, and the cay, ny, sir" of the ac-
tive seamen, were sights and sounds contrast
ing strangely with the unbroken stiffness of ma
ture around, which appeared barren and soli-
tary no more to echo these "notes of prep
aration" or to witness mans stirring industry,
till the winds of March watt back again these
castles of the deep.
In the van was Capt "FRED.," with the Tel
egraph, to announce the coming fleet next fol-
lowed the "Lizzie," making her thirty ninth
trip of 2lS miles within less than thirty weeks,
and averaging $4,000 feet of lumber from this
port to Chicago; next came the New Hamp-
shire, her successful rival, making as many trips
in the same time; then the HiIliard, which has
run from port to port 100 miles in eight hours;
then the three masted Octavia, of Kalamazoo
running here on account of shallow water at
walked the water successfully for numerous
years and is yet a staunch craft, profitable to
the owner whose name she bears then the brig
Olive Richmond, of her we say ditto; then the
morning and evening star then old "Tom Ben
ton" as great veteran in the trade as "Old
Bullion" was in the Senate then the light Ca
zelle and the fleet Reindeer, both deserving
their names; then the Vermont, always the fa-
vorite of passengers for her good qualities ;
then the Illinois, the Lizzies" sister and ahead
of her in sailing qualities-several remain to
complete the list whose names we did not learn
There remains in port the briggs Enterprise and
Ann Winslow, and the schooner Amanda Har-
wood, all to follow in few hours. Besides
this score of vessels there are several regular
traders and two steamers en- the west side of
the Lake, making in all larger and better fleet
than any port on this Lake can boast, except
Chicago. The amount of lumber exported this
season cannot fall much short Of 100000
feet, besides about 100000 shingles; also
large quantities of lath, wood, bark, slaves, shin
gle bolts and vast qantities of plaster, flour and
other produce from the upper country. Grand
River is the grand river of Michigan, and Grand
Haven being the grand haven, it shorlld be the
terminus of the grand Northern Railroad, to
bring Milwaukee nearer the Atlantic by way of
the Canada road, than any city West of Michi-
gan; and when the plank-road connects Kala-
mazoo with the Rapids, we will give pass engers
a four hours trip to Wisconsin, in crack. boat
to be built this winter. II is worthy Of remark
here, that not the slightest accident has happen
ed at this port, during the months of aviga-
ton, Notwithstanding such tempestuous wealth
err in the spring and fall, the harbor being as ac-
cessible by night as by day, by the provision of
range lights With an appropriation which we
expect this winter for piers, we shall become
the key to unlock the stores of the wealthy re-
sources of northern Michigan, unequaled in the
same extent of territory in the world. Let our
up river folks bestir themselves to put through
the Northern Road and secure the counties east
to the Rapids, which is soon destined to beco me
the second city of the Pennsular State. SO
mote ii be-"
az" The inhabitants of this place were on
int ba pf ba LOT A