The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1872-12-21
From the Ontonagon CMichl Miner.
H4RBORS OEL1KE SUPERIOR.

We think that the severe lesson that the
late storm has taught the government will
demonstrate to them that the angry waves
of Lake Superior cannot be played with.
Up to the present time Government has
had but little experience IN harbUr building
on this lake, but enough damage has been
done to prove that what work is to be done
here, must be Of the most thorough and
substantial nature, and that when com
menced it mast be pushed through to com
pletlon, or a great risk Is run OF losing work
already done.
Although our own harbor has escaped
any damage from the late severe storms,
yet in the eyes Of practical mechanics it is
wonderful that in It's present Ealt-fnished
state it is not destroyed. But we are more
tayorably situlted than arc the harbors of
Marquette, Duluth, and other points on
the lake, rs we lay in bay and are protect
ed from til most Srvere winds. The folly
Of attempting to build or make an harbor
IN the open lake has been fully demonstrate
ed at Duluth. Ihe structure called a
breakwater, built at an enormous expense
b. private individuals and the Government,
has been almost entirely demolished. Ac-
cordng to the Duluth papers it was not
built OF paper, bat as solid and substantial
as money, timber, iron and stone could
make 1t, but let us examine how it was
treated according to the account published
in The Duluth Ueral3.
The breuAwateg appears to have suffered most Sc
uouslF, for good portion Of quite number of the
criUs has been torn away whilst others of them
lifted from their original positions. 1t is marvel
all that even fragment Of the remains, tar
the force OF the breakers beating against it OF
oh stE4v .Frrs
nothing OF human construction unless of extraordina-
ry resisting power could withstand the shock To
give those OF readers who had the opportunity
Of witnessing the terrific spectacle, some idea of the
great power Of the roaring blIows that every
dashed against the brcakwaer il is but necessary
say that the heavy iron bolts used in tie cribs were
twisted of aud curled up with much ease If they
had been bucket-wifc whilst portions of huge cribs
anu massive timber were tossed about in the angry
surge Ike wicker baskets and struwsn
1t is all very well to claim that this was
an extraordinary storm III severity, but most
Of Us old residents know that they are frc-
quent upon this lake, and it is we'll for the
DuIuthIans to calmly look upon this great
calamity and determine to turn their atten-
ton % their inner harbor We know that
they are possessed of great pluck and back
ed by wealthy corporations, and fear they
may not heed even this warming, but what
old residents and sailors have often told
them would surely be the fate of their pet
outer harbor has been accomplished and it
must be convincing to all but the most
stubborn and blind that it would he folly
TO attempt 10 again build il. 1t cannot be
done except at an immense expenditure of
money, and we doubt if Government can
be induced again to lend hand. They
have already undertaken to build one har-
Dor within seven miles Of Duluth that can
be made to accommodate all the business at
the head of The lake. and which has further
proved itself able to Withstand the fury of
Lake Superior storms. The growing busi-
ness OF the western end of the lake demands
that Government should provide one good
and safe harbor for cur shipping, AID if
there was not a natural opening or en-
trance TO make such, it might perhaps be
policy for the Government to spend money
lavshly to make an Ocean Brcakwater at
some point there, but while thev already
have built 4 substantial entrance TO the
natural harbors which are inside the main
land, it is folly and waste Of the national
funds to attempt TO build brcakwater in
the open lake which has already been prov
ed to be unable to withstand natural causes
because contrary to natural laws. The
natural point for harbor there is at the
mouth Of the st. Louis river, and there
even the Duiuthians VIII be compelled ere
long to conclude to turn their attention. 1t
may not be the time HOW but it will surely
come and perhaps too late for them, for
their present sources Of money will one
day conclude to abandon such an extraor-
dlnary waste OF treasure and conclude to
run their rail- Dad across Rce's Point and
have their docks aud warehouses at the
Little village seven miles down the bay"