Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-02-21

st. Msry,s CanaI.--Lako Superior Busineaa'
The Annual Report of the Superintendent Of
the saut Canal just published, expresses the
utmost confidence that the extensive and I'M.
poriant repairs will 30 completed BY The open.
ing Of navigation, matter Of much moment to
the Lake Superior trade, The receipts Of the
canal for the past season were Sll 500 beyond
its expenses, showing en- increase of more than
fifty per cent. over the previous year. The
average number Of vessels passing through the
canal was seven per day, and the aggregate
tonnage S52, ,6i2. The Superintendent estimates
that the tonnage will bo twice as large next
season.
The total receipts of tho Canal for FIVE years
indicate the steady and healthy growth of the
Lake Superior trade In 1855 the Total receipts
were s4S74 in 1886 they were s7,575i in
1887, 80, ,4O8; in 1858, sIO,s4s in 1858, Sl6,-
9iI. The last years receipts exhibit gain Of
four hundred per cent. over the fret years
business Of the canal
The total estimated value of articles passing
through the st. Mary'S Falls Ship Canal in 1859,
is 50, ,ss7, ,4O4. Among the articles were 65, ,7ss
tons iron ore, 6,5OS tons iron bars, 626 tOnsiron
blooms, 1854 tons copper, lO,ls4 tons msr-
chandizs, 1859 barrels fish, s9, ,459 barrels -four,
4,762 barrels beef, $500 barrels pork, 7l,7ss
bushels coarse grain, S4s,42l pounds butter
54,724 pounds cheese, s,7s5 barrels apples,
727, l59 pounds dried fruit, 4s6, ,02O pounds su-
gar, 1888 tons coal, 1882 kegs nails, 2OSl hesd
of cattle, l,O7l sheep, 1917 barrels liquor and
beer, 295,7l2 pounds Of malt, etc, etc. The
figures we have given prove the growing char
acter Of the Lake Superior commerce, = trade
in which our city has large stake. The Re-
port says:
The copper interest has in great measure
recovered from the reaction which overlook it q
| few years aimee, RRd this years production is
| largely in excess of any previous year. Il is
expected that under the stimulus Of enhanced
prices, and by the aid of improved machinery,
and more perfect system Of labor, that legiti'
mate mining will result in still greater profits
and increased production Of this valuable mine
raj from year to year.
The iron interest, which is comparatively oi
recent origin, has from small beginnings attain
ed to the first rank in Importance among the
Lake Superior enterprises. This years Produc
ton exceeds seventy thousand tons, and if the
necessary facilities can be commanded, tits con
fdently believed that next year will forward al
| least two hundred thousand tons 70 the various
markets now opened to receive it.
When the peculiar charactsriItics Of this ore
are considered, its adaptability TO somany uses,
for which no other iron yet found in our coun
try is so well suited the inexhaustible quantity,
sufficient to furnish the market of the world
and the facility with which it can be quaTried
and delivered on board Of vessels, it would ap
pear that the trade may be increased to an in
| definite extent and prove a source of incslcula
bic wealth to the State and country.
The fisheries of Lake Superior, which have
heretofore been almost entirely neglected, are
beginning to sttEact considerable attention, and
have boen visited by number Of parties the
past summer with a view of establishing the
business Oh permanent footing. It's believed
by those who have examined into the matter
that these waters offer greater inducements. tC
| the hardy fisherman than any other OF the grea
lakes.
But one of the most powerful incentives t.
the settlement Of the Upper Peninsula, and it
consequent development, is to be found In the
admirable system Of State roads provided BY
the last Legislature. Its good effect are already
observable, ,Rs q number of locations have already
been made and commissions have been given
to several of our citizens for the purchase o.
farming land upon which colonies from New
England will settle as soon as practicable.