Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-10-20

The existence Of an immense iron noun
tain almost on the very shores of Lake Su-
perior, outrivalhng the famous iron noun
tains of Marquette, seems almost too mar
velous for belief, yet we can assure our
readers upon the most irrefragable testimo-
ny that the fact is even so That such
wonderful mineral deposit should remain
undiscovered until a very recent date, is
the most remarkable feature of the whole
affair, and shows how great and diver
siied is the natural wealth of that world
renowned region, contrasted with the tardy
pace of its development, particularly on
the Canadian side, where the newly discov-
cred mine is located. At the distance of
only about forty-fve miles from Sault Ste
Marie, this mountain lifts its frowning
summit TO the altitude of 900 feet above the
level of the lake, being about twice as high
as the iron mountains of Marquette.
The first examination was made in July
last by Prof S. p Duffield, of this city,
who, from the general features, came to
the conclusion that the range was identical
with that Of Marquette, and in order to
satisfy himself on this point, he visited
Marquette to get the range, by which his
theory was found to be fully sustained. a
company was subsequently formed under
the name of the Batchawanung Iron
Company" which obtained patent from
the Canadian Government for 5000 acres
of land, which comprises all, or nearly all,
of the mineral tract in question. About
four weeks ago, some of the Representatives
of the company, together with few scien-
tifc gentlemen, the whole party number
ing twenty-four persons, set out for the
district upon tour of exploration, pro-
vided with all necessary appliances for
examination andsurvey. Among the party
we're Professor Raymond, geologist of the
firm of Adelberger & Raymond; Col. W. W.
Dufield, civil engineer and surveyor; Mr..
Wilson, Provincial Land Surveyor of Upper
Canada; DR.. George A. Bates, of Wor-
cester, Mas, Thos. Drew, Esq, of Boston,
editor Of the PJo1lghn1an; s. A. Forbes,
Esq, of Marquette, Chief Engineer of the
Marquette and Ontonagon Railroad; Mr..
Ives, of Gross Isle; J. P Mansfield, Esq, OF
| Detroit; o. q. Gibbs, ESQ, of West Ware
ham, Mass, and others. The party re-
turned a day or two since, and report that
the most sSnguine expectations concerning
the extent and richness of the mines have
been more than realized The ore Is of the
very finest quality, corresponding to the
ores of the Marquette mines and extending
through a range Of several miles, IN deposits
many feet IN thickness. 1t is so plentiful
that by no human agency can the supply
be exhausted for hundreds of yearsl Oi
the uneqslled richness of the ore we are en-
abled to speak definitely. A quantity
which was taken from the depth of only
fifteen feet from the surface, and smelted
in common blast furnace by Prof. Duf
field realized sixty per cent of pure iron
| When we remember that thirty per ceni
is good working average, the richness o.
the newly discoxered ore will be fully
apparent. At greater depth from th'
surface its purity will of course be on {
corresponding scale. in accordance with 1
well-known mineralog gicsl law.
/. In addition to the professional examina
tion, which was conducted by Mr.. Ray
mond, assisted by Mr.. Forbes, very larg,
extent of land was thoroughly surveyed
and mapped; the Batchswsnung rive,
Was "meandered" for nine miles from it
mouth, soundinss were taken in the bay
and an excellent harbor was located; anC
finally a railroad line was run from tn
harbor to the future mines, by the expert
enced skill OF Col. Dufield, assisted BY MI
: Forbes. Colonel Dufield reports that thi
line will not be over five miles long, ant
! that it cannot be constructed withou
heavy grades. The harbor is a good one
: sheltered from all winds, accessible by
simple channel to large vessels, and sufh
GENTLY extensive to accommodate the larg
: est commerce. He also states that tn
! railroad from the mines to the hArbo1
l will have down grade of IS feet to tn
t mile. The cars would thus have a de
ascending grade when loaded and an u
grade when ight.-Detriot Tribune.