Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-01

The abundance of freight in the shape of
lumber at Quebec, guaranteeing full cargo
outward to every vessel entering the port, must
produce its effect on inward treights More
than three-fourths Of tn inward tonnage are
now empty; but in railroad iron, salt, an coal,
the imports are rapidly increasing since the
completion of the canals has let down lake YES
sells to carry these articles inland. The pre-
sent regulations prevent American vessels from
descending below Montreal, and are injurious
10 this commerce.
PoRT OF MoSTREAL.-Latituds 45o 81 north,
longitude 730 35< west population in 1851,
577l5.
This city, at the head of sea navigation pro-
per, IS the most populous in British North
America. Although not accessible like Que
bec) to the largest class of shipping, its posi-
ton for a varied and extensive commerce is
more commanding, inasmuch as it is the'cen-
tire OF more fertile area, more numerous ap.
proaches, and possesses within itself every re.
qusite for the support Of large population.
Montreal is picturesquely situated at the foot
of the Royal mountain" from which it takes
its name, upon a large island, at the confluence
of the Ottowa and St Lawrence, which, both
IN fertility and cultivation, is Justly considered
the garden of Canada East.
The main branch Of the 0ttowa, which is the
timber highway to Quebec, passes north of
Montreal island, and enters the St Lawrence
about eighteen miles below the city. About
one-third of its waters are, however, DISCHARGED
into Lake St Louis, and joining, but not ming
ling, at Caughnawaga, the two distinct bodies
pass over the Sault ST. Louis and the Norman
rapids-the dark waters of the Ottowa washing
the quays of Montreal, while the blue St. Law
renee occupies the other shore nor do they
lose their distinctive character until they are
several miles below Montreal.
The quays Of Montreal are unsurpassed by
those of any city in America: built of solid
limestone, and uniting with the locks and cut
stone wharves of the Lachine canal, they pre-
sent, for several miles, a display of continuous
masonry which has few parallels. Like The
leyees Of the Ohio and Mississippi no unsiehtly
warehouses disfgure the river side. A broad
terrace, faced with gray limestone, the parapets
Of which are surmounted with a substantial
iron railing, divides the city from the river
throughout its whole extent.
This arrangement, as well as the substantial
character Of the quays, is a virtue of necessity,
arising from remarkable local phenomena.
Montreal being the terminus Of many miles of
broken water, embracing the rapids Of the ST.
Lawrence, an extraordinary quantity Of " an
Choir and bondage" ice is brought down on
the approach Of winter, which is first arrested
at the delta entering Lake ST. Peter, forty miles
below the city. The surface here. being COW
cred by arrested ice, is quickly solidi6ed against
which the ceaseless flood of coming ice is
checked, drawn under, and finally arrested, until
the whole river, for a distance Of fifty miles, or
more, is filed with ice, las logs gil the boom
in milpond.) but packed, and jammed, and
forced under, so as TO occupy considerable
portion Of the waterway OF the river, which
thereupon commences 70 rise in order TO in
crease its area Of discharge. The winter level
Of water in Montreal harbor remains perman.
emily at point some ten or fifteen feet above
the summer one, covering the wharves, which
are invisible until the departure of the ice.
When the river has become sufficiently elevated
10 secure passage for its waters, the floating
masses on Its surface are firmly bound together,
presenting the rugged aspect Of quarry and,
after several convulsive throes, the surface at.
tains state of rest The advent of spring
again breaks the calm, when, after some mag.
nlfcent displays Of hydraulic pressure, the ice
departs en- Dsdsse, and in twenty-four hours the
navigation is resumed.
II is while settling to rest for the winter, and
when waking up" on the approach of spring,
That the majestic phenomena Of an "ice shove
IS seen. During the elevation of the vast vol
nme Of the ST. Lawrence some ten or fifteen
feet and its return again 10 its bed, momentary
nrrestations Of both floating and submerged ice
take place, when the river above instantly rises
until "head +" Of water is accumulated which
ia fear(ully irresistible. The solid crust Of ice
on the surface, two or three feet in thickness il
summary and suddenly lifted and forced right
end left; a field Of ice, perhaps Of several
square miles in area, is set in motion, and
crushing against the unyielding quays, is forced
upward, until il is piled mountains high" on
the terrace in front Of the city. No warehouses
can be erected on the waters edge without first
placins an effectual barrier between them and
the moving ice; and ocraft Of any description
can be laid up io7 the winter in this harbor,
which presents the uniqls spectacle of a thriy-
ing seaport in which, for nearly FIVE months,
not spar Is 10 be SEEN
Montreal occupies the centre of an extensive
plain, cut IN every direction by the St. Law.
renee and Ottawa, with their tributaries. form.
ing several large and fertile islands Contiguous
10 the main one occupied by the CITY. This
plain, although nearly one thousand miles by
the river from the Atlantic, is scarcely elevated