The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-08-25
THE GsEAT UTAH MYSTERY.
The Discovery of the Outlet Of Oeat Salt
Lake.
From the Utah Reporter, July 10.


To-day we give the facts as we have them
relative TO the discovery of subterranean
outlet to Great Salt Lake. This inland sea
the briniesI of all the waters of the world,
and which former Investigations pronounced
as being KEEP. at its level by the action OF
evaporation, has itself solved the mystery of
the mountains. The lofty hills and all the
lovely islands have for countless ages found
mirror for their grand majesty in the
bosom of our lake, and its FURNISHED face
has been kept bright with the crystal
supplies of thousand streams from out the
roaring canyons, clefts and snowy reservoirs
the Rocky chain. The eye of science has
scanned with care the agencies which, 1t was
supposed, held the aqueous wonder IN ITS
place, and the Humboldts and S'lllmans OF
two continents saw no escapement ior me
"Ganging Sea" save through the aerlal
pathways of the sun. Many years ego the
bureau of topography sought to explain the
permanent equilibrium OF Great Salt Lake,
whose thirst absorbs greater supply of
fresh water than Michigan or Erie. but
still the reduction was the same. Every
trial said it's shores were saved from flood
BY the evaporating power. This is no
longer theory, aud never was correct.
One night last week the schooner Pioneer,
Capt. Hannah, on her voyage from Corrinne
TO Stockton, when at q point III the lake
between Fremont aud kimbail Islands,
nearly opposite this city, came suddenly IL
contact with something which the captain
thought more solid than water, believing his
vessel to have stranded upon rocks. Instead
OF this, however, the men on the Pioneer
discovered that she was in the whir of
mselstrom, for the vessel Immediately
reyolved as if In circular current and the
motion was rapid in the revolutions made
that the men could scarcely stand at their
duties.
Capt Hannah, being en- old sailor, ard
understanding the danger he wa in, at once
added sal, and brisk wind BLOWN at the
time the craft was, after about half an hour s
detention, borne beyond the vortex OF the
eddy He informs Gen. Common. the owner
OF the schooner and from whom We get these
interesting facts. that while in the trough
of the ugly hole the deck was far lower than
the water outside the whirlpool, and that he
owes the safety Of the vessel to the stiff
breeze which fortunately spraug up at the
time. The noise of the waters they
descended denoted that some mighty airless
cavity below gave strength 20 the suction,
and the surging frothy foam above WAS like
the boiling OF q mammoth csuldron. That
this is the safety valve of the great Salt
Lake there seems 10 be no doubt. and We
can reasonably assume thst similar opening
are numerous on the bottom. The steamer
hate Conner will be ready in two or three
days TO 60 on the lake, when the general
accompanied by party Of gentlemen from
thIs city, viii go out and examine the mael-
strom.
The men OF the college and university
will again De called to make scientific survey
OF this great discovery, and geologist and
chemist will, in the waters of the Utah
Mediterranean, find many valuable lessons
to impart to student and graduate. How
marvellous are natures works around US.