Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1877-10-20
AuARBoR OF REFUGE.

The weather for the past few weeks has
clearly demonstrated the Importance of
having harbor of refuge somewhere in
the straits. Cheboygan possesses all the
natural qualifications for such a harbor
The government improvements under
way here make it an easy matter to con-
struct q first class harbor of refuge. ALI
that is necessary is to construct q good
pier to the end of the channel, and put
alight on the end. In fact this was the
original plan of completing the improve
ments OF the harbor here. The pier was
-tobe built primarily TO preserve the chan
nel, but atthe same time it would have
the effect to make the much needed har-
Dor of refuge. We regret to say, that in
his last report, Capt. Lee, assistant en-
gineer in charge of the work, stated that
experience had demonstrated that pier
was unnecessary to preserve the channel,
and virtually recommended that no pier
be built, which would materially decrease
the cost OF the. Improvement. The pier.
may not be necessary for the proper
maintenance of the channel, but it is of
/. the highest importance as harbor of
refuge. The original idea of Gen.
Weitzel, who, we believe, completed the
plans for the work, and one of the chief
reasons assigned by him to the govern
ment why this work should. be com
menced was the necessity of
harbor of refuge i'm the
straits, and the comparatively little
cost Of making it here. We regret to
know that this most important matter
has been overlooked or deemed of so
little Importance by Capt. Lee as to have
no mention made of it in his report.
However, to secure it, work must now
be done i'm another direction. Gen.
Weitzel was last spring relieved of the
charge of the work at this place, and it
was placed under the charge of Major
HARDWOOD. We do not know at all what
his ideas are upon this subject, but we
trust that his attention will be called to
the importance of completing the work
upon the original plan, and thus form
ing the harbor of refuge.
The government is constructing such
"a harbor at Sand Beach, most import
ant locality, at an expense of nearly one
million of dollars. Already many YES
sells have beeDs saved from destruction
under it shelter. A -harbor equally as
good can be made here by the expend-
iture of few: thousands. The construc-
ton of pier out to the end of the chan
mel would obviate the necessity of range
lights, and the money already appropri-
ated Tor their construction applied to the
construction of the pier would 60 far
towards its completion. During the past
season we have taken occasion 10 consult
with large number of steamboat and
vessel captains regarding this matter,
and find that without exception they
favor this plan andare extremely anxious
to have it carried out. There are no class
OF men who know the needs of harbor
of refuge better than the men who need
to use it, and their views regarding the
matter should have large influence. A
harb0r of refuge here Mould h. n 49,
10 Cheboygan in many ways, |
and our citizens. should take some inter
est in the matter and see that the proper
influence is brought TO bear upon the |
proper authorities to secure it.