The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1861-11-01
Defences of Lake Michigan.


In reference to the late circular of Sec
retary Seward, and the proper means to
adopt for the defence of the States uron
our lake from foreign invasion, the Chi
cago Times says:
The Governors of the lake States having
been requested by The Federal administra-
ton to give their attention to the coast for
tihcations and defences, it is a serious
question where they shall commence and
what they shall do. Undoubtedly the
work should be carried on as a whole
throughout the lakes, because there are
certain prominent points which ale keys
to the whole chain of inland navigation.
Thus, the mouth Of the Detroit River, and
the head cf River St. Clair, the Straits of
Mackinsw, and vsrious positions among
the islands and on the banks Of the River
Saut de Ste. Marie, will all have to be con-
sidered in defensive plan.
The Straits of Mackinaw are a point
of peculiar Importance to the States Of
Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan. In
deed, they have always been deemed, from
the days of the old fur traders, through
the wars with Great Britain, down to the
present day, as the key to Lake Michigan
and, unlike.most of the other points sug,
gested by US, ere absolutely our own, pre-
senting upon both sides, within our own
territory, positions admirably adapted for
fortifcation and defence.
The necessity of comprehending the
Straits in defensive plan is independent
Of any contingencies which may happen
to be fortified places on the lower lakes
end rivers. Georgian Bay, which opens
into the head of Lake Huron, is entirely
in British territory, and is united by rail
with the lower lakes and seaboard. It
usep formerly to be said that at Pentan-
goshine, upon that bay, the English gov
eminent maintained navy yard for use
in case of hostilities with the United
States.
1t is certain, at least, that the bay,
amid its twenty thousand islands, forms
the best harbor in the world, in which the
combined fleets of all Christendom might
ride with safety, and be out6tted with great
secrecy. Those who have coasted among
its islands can form no idea of what laby-
rinths they present. From the old Bruce
Mine down to the Hudson Bay trading
forts of Laclosse and Mississauga, channels
branch out in all directions, requiring great
experience on the part Of the veyager to
prevent his losing his way.
Goderich, on the Canada side of Lake
Huron. is also connected by the Buffalo
and Lake Huron Railroad with the lower
parts of the Province. This road crosses
the Great Western road al Paris, and is
therefore in easy communication with To-
ronto. These facts prove the operations
Of the EDglish government that in case OF
hoS.il.ies with the United States, may be
pursued independently, at different parts
of the lakes, at the same time. 1t will
therefore be necessary, for the protection
of the exposed coast of Lake Michigan, to
fortify the Straits Of Mackinaw, through
which alone naval expedition can reach
the lake towns and cities of Illinois, Wis
consin and Western Michigan. These
three States have therefore common in
terest in the erection of works at that
point, and it would seem proper that their
respective authorities should meet and de
wise common plan of defence, in which
a proper proportion should be paid by
each.