The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-10-20
Lake superiur Journal, sept. 20.
Halted states Lake Survey.

The several parties engaged in this survey
upon Lake Superior, under the command Of
Lieuts. Rose and Reynolds, and general COM
mand of Capt. j. n. Macomb, closed their
work for the season last week. Messrs. RoSe
and Reynolds, together with their assistants,
went below on the !" Illinois,, Tuesday last.
The work performed durin thepresent sea-
son has been of very important nature
The corps under Lieut.. Reynolds were order
ed to make detached surveys of the most
difficult and important harbors on the Ne
wcenaw range. This has been accomplished,
and the work is marked so perfectly, that
when the-eneral survey is prosecuted, there
will be no necessity going over the grouna
second time. The topography OF the coun-
try has been made on this part OF the WORK,
the observations extended from three to I'VE
miles into the interior. The most prominent
bluffs at this distance have been marked and
such of the mines as are IN sight OF the lake.
In addition to this, over 25 ,O90 soundings
have been made with the small lead, and
about 600 with the deep sea line. The re-
suits of the latter cannot fail to be crafty
ing to the student, and interesting to all con-
nected with this country. Lieut.. r. HIS in
possession earth brought up from the bottom
of Lake Superior $50 feet below the level of
the ocean. The depth at which this was pro-
cured was 797 feet.
The survey on Ontonagon harbor and riy-
er has been carefully made, that of the river
extending five miles up from its mouth
Soundings were made in the lake at a dis
lance of 10 miles from the mouth Of the river.
showing the fact that the water is not as deep
as it is nearer the shore. Eagle Harbor has
been surveyed and found to possess good wa
ter at many points heretofore Stunned. The
reef at the entrance has been shorn of many
fanciful dangers the soundings showing that
with the exception of about 800 yards, there
is II feet ofwater. Steamers or vessels can,
by taking the route marked by Lieut. Rey-
nolds make straight wake for the harbor.
The nature of the bottom along this coast
makes it very difficult to place buoys, as there
is no holding ground on the reefs Eagle
river and Agate Harbor have been surveyed,
the latter proving good harbor, with plenty
of water. Copper Harbor, being easy of ac-
cess, and well known, it was not thought
best to make minute examination as to do
this would necessarily postpone other and
more important portions of the work.
The work on this section has been most
thoroughly and faithfully performed, and re-
fleets great credit upon those engaged in it.
1t is the wish and hope of all interested in
this country that the future surveys may be
intrusted to this party. The maps and charts
will doubtless be ready for publication early
the coming season. The extent of lake coast
surveyed by Lieut.. Reynolds is embraced in
the districts of Eagle River and Harbor Cop
per Harbor, Agate Harbor, Grand Morea, and
Ontonagon. Some other points were men
toned which were unable to remember.
No l-ss important is the work performed
by the party under the command of Lieut.
Ryse. We have kept our readers advised
from time to time of the progress of this part
Of the survey" and will content ourselves
by briefly recapitulating:
The survey Of the Saul Ste. Marie River
together with the topography Of the shores
and islands in the ' Falls" have been accu-
rately made and noted. Whaiskaie Bay and
the creeks emptying into it have thoroughly
examined and all the shoots marked. Sta
tiCns cad been placed upon the most impor-
tant points, and every care taken to mark all
shoals that are dangerous, The total num-
Der Of soundlngs have exceeded 900.
1t is worthy Of remark that whatever
soundings were made at the spots where tie
charts taken from the survey made by Capt.
Bayfield,, showed his work, they agreed ex-
actly. This is significant commentary up
on the accuracy of his work, and one that is
charts are the ONLY complete ones as yet Of
Lake Superior, and it must be gratifying to
his friends to learn that they stand the most
stringent test of accuracy, and as matter Of
course their value is much enhanced.