East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1860-07-12
First steamer Lake Erie--A History of
her Projection, First Trip and Success.

the HISL SleainOOat on Iukc IIIlc was
built In order to cnlighten our Cleve
land friends, and ventilatc for the benefit
of our readers at home, the facts in re-
gard to the steamer, we have been at
considerablepains to procure the requisite
information ifrom the files of the Detroit
Gazette, published in ls18.-Det Tribune.
In its issue ON January 23d, the Gazette
says:
"The Niagara Journal mentions that a
company has been formed in Albany, for
the purpose Of building a steamboat TO
ply on Lake Erie. The contract has
been taken by Mr.. A. Brown, ian eminent
ship. builder, of New York, who has al
ready arrived at Buffalo, with portion
of his hands. The boat will be ready
for the Lake by the first of June next"
The other issues Of the Gazette give
the following information.
March 9th: Extract of letter from
j. B. Stuart, (Albany,) proprietor Of the
steamer now building at Black Rock. n.
Y; to James Abbott, Esq, p. NJ, Of that
city: Il am now building n steamboat of
about 400 tons, at Black Rock, which is
intended to commence running regularly
from thence to Detroit, on the first of
June next. / will thank you to make
this known to the inhabitants of your
town, and to assure them that she will,
in every particular, be very superior
boat. Her size will be l25 feet keel, aud
81 feet beam. a part of the stock will
be for sale in the spring"
June 18th: "The steamboat Black
Rock, as we learn from a gentleman, re-
Gently arrived from Buffalo, was launched
about three weeks since. 1t is expected
to sail for this port, early in next month"
July 10th: "rhc steamboat may with
certainty be expected to visit these de-
ightful regions, the first week in August
August 18th: 'The Uaik m-tho- Wdter.
The Lyceum have appointed a com
mittee to meet the elegant steamboat, of
this appropriate name, expected shortly
to arrive at this city; and to report on
her tonnage, construction, accommoda-
tions, the particulars of her first voyage,
&c. The Committee will be accompanied
by such members, citizens and gentlemen
from the British side of the Strait, as
choose to 90 down on the occasion. The
steamboat will come to in Wal6.in-the-
water street, off Roby's wharf This
celebrated Chief is but recently deceased,
and must have been unconscious of the
double honor so soon 70 be conferred upon
him. The Ualk.m-Ne- Water is thirteen
horse power above the Lringston and is
supposed to be the finest steamboat in
America, and in the world, excepting
that recently launched at New York, and
destined TO cross the Atlantic"
AUGUST 26: Yesterday, between the
hours of 10 and IL A. NJ, the elegant
steamboat Bal.-m.dse- Water, Capt. j.
Fish, arrived. As she passed the public
wharf, and that owned by Mr.. j. ;. Roby,
She was cheered by hundreds of the in
habitantS who had collected to witness this
lin these waters) truly novel aud grand
spectacle. She came toat Wings wharf
She left Buffalo at half-past l o'clock on
the ODD, and arrived off Dunkirk at 30
minutes past on the same day. On the
following morning she arrived at Erie,
Capt. Fish having reduced her steam
during the night, in order not to pass
that place, where she took in n supply Of
wood. At half past I p. NJ. she left
Erie, and came 10 at Clece'dad at l o'clock.
On Tuesday, at 20 minutes past Q o'clock,
=. NJ. sailed, aud arrived OFF Sandusky
Bay ut ] o'cocl, on Wednesday, lay at
anchor during the night, and then pro-
ceeded to Eenice to wood; left Venice at
3. u. NJ. and arrived at the mouth of De-
troit river, where she anchored during
the nght-the whole time employed i'll
sailing, in this first voyage from Buffalo
to this, being about A hours and 10
minutes; the wind ahead during nearly
the whole passage. Not the slightest
accident happened during the voyage, and
all her machinery worked admirably.
Nothing could exceed the surprise ofthe
sons of the forest on seeing the Wakk-m-
the Water moving majestically and rapidly
against strong current, without the assis-
tance of sails or oars. They lined the banks
near Maiden, and expressed their as
tonishment by repeated shouts Of "Iaj-
yoh nickeei a report had been circulated
among them, that "Jy canoe" would
soon come from the noisy vaters, which,
by order of the great father of the "Cke-
Dlo-ko.moas," would be drawn through the
lakes aud rivers by sturgeon! OF the truth
of the report they are now perfectly sat
isied. The cabins of this boat are fitted
up in neat, convenient aud elegant
style; and the manner in which she Is
found, does honor to the proprietors and
to her commander. A passage between
this place and Buffalo is now not merely
tolerable, but truly pleasant. TO day
she will make trip Lake ST. Clair, with
large party of ladies and gentlemen
She will leave for Buffalo tomorrow, and
may be expected to visit us again next
week."
November 20th;---"NVhat was origin
ally doubtful respecting her success, ex-
perience has rendered certain. She has
encountered as severe gales as she prob
ably will meet, and has proved her capacity
for navigating these inland seas, in a
manner to satisfy the most timid. The
enterprise of her owners will be amply
rewaded, and her stock equal to any
steamboat in the union. Her receipts
for the season have exceeded ten thousand
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