The New York herald., 1879-03-11
A NEW LAKE PORT.

soDus BAY, LAKE ONTARIO, AS NORTHERN
FROM THE LAKEs--INCREAsING THE TRADE
OF NEW YoRK-How THE GRAIN OF THE WEST
MAY BE DIVERTED FROM THE ST. LAWRENCE
TO THE HUDSON. ~
NEW YonK, March 10, 1879.
To THE EpIToR HERALD
The recently published statement OF State En-
gneer Seymour to the effect that increasing the
depth Of the Erie Canal to the extent of one foot
would bring to the city Of New York yearly in
crease of 10000 900 bushels in her grain trade with
addition Of slo.ooOooo per annum to her wealth,
is ono that has created no little comment in grain
dealing circles 1t is OF especial interest when con-
sidered in connection with the fact that through a
want of foresight among New York men this trade is
not only lost to the city but to tho country pre-
csely that amount finds its way every year through
the Welland Canal to Canadian ports. This compet-
tion of the Canadians. yearly growing in its impor
tancc must bc met by prompt and decisive action If
We would retain pre-ominence in this important
branch of trade. In order to accomplish this great
end il IL plain that must offer TO shipping
outlet to the superior to that offered by
good ncighbors. tho Canadians. by way OF the ST.
Lawrence River.
The Wclland Canal is an established fact It in 20
miles long, 30 feet wide. and with depth Of water
in the locks OF 10 feet inches, which depth WILL by
be increased to twelve fifteen feet This improve
practically the obstruction created by
Niagara Falls. which long diverted tho entire trade
OF the lakes through the Erie Canal to waters. II
is useless TO attempt competition ut this point
that would necessitate tho deepening OF the entire
length of the Erie Canal 3J2 milcs) ut least five feet
which would be required in addition to its present
depth OF seven feet to make 1t rival the WeIland
Canal in depth. II is obvious mt glance at these
figures that any effort to seize the grain before 1t
reaches Lake ontario IL out OF the question. We
must therefore, we would prevent the laden ves-
aala vni a va saual IN cpy
tipuing to salt water via tho st. Lawrence River.
offer them on our shore of the lake port which
combines the advantages of safe and commooious
hsrDor and cheap inland connection with n more
advantageous ocean port than the Canadians
shore of Lake Ontario. and is wen known
to lake navigators Great Sodus Bay The national
government appreciating Its grsat nas9rai advan, an
$4,000 III the construction OF piers and light
houses, which improvements have made it, beyond
doubt harbor perfectly adapted to the requirements
entire grain trade OF the lakes. The Dimensions
OF Sodus bay miles in length By from two to
four in widsh, narrowing at the entrance. thus form
ing completely landiocked anchorage. with depth
OF water sufficient for vessels OF the largest tonnage
80 much for its accommodations as harDor as to It's
advantages as receiving point for grain
lake j port TO the cities of New York Philadophia
and baltimore, ind 1t ia the only harbor Lake
Ontario that can accommodate an extensive ship
ping. The Eric Canal at Clyde approaches Sodus
Bay within ~ miles. and the intervening land, by
it's Typographical formation. affords an easy route
for connecting canal between them. This is an
important Improvement III canal navigation which
IL is obvious our state government should have
male years ago. Undoubtedly. had the promoters
of the Erc Canal forcseon the enterprise OF the Can
adian government in building the Welland Canal
they would have saved the immense expense of
tending their work to Bualo, aud selected this port
the receiving point OF the immense products of
| the West.
Moreover, IL the Improvement recommended by
Engineer Seymour to deepen the canal effected
from it's outlet at tho Hudson River to Sodus bay,
instead of throughout it's entire length To Buffalo. II
would bo saving of 100 miles OF dredging and
would afford the shortest possible route from the
great lakes to tidewatcr.
These facts, although possibly new to tho general
pubic. have long been well appreciated by men OF
science. Tho late James Rcnwck, one of the fore
most engineers of his tiIno, strongly advocated q
canal to sodus Bay and knowing the large business
such measure would attract from tho lakes said
'tiiat it only needed this improvement to make at
this point OF the first among the rising cities Of
the western part of the state"
have confined my remarks so far TO canals. Not
less important its railroad connections; which
could, with few additions to existing lines. be
tabliHhed between Sodus Bay and tine cities of tho
Atlantic scaboard. Already railroad is in opera
ton between sodus Bay and the coal fields of Penn
sylyaida, over which large amounts OF coal are
nually shipped have mentioned this in connec-
ton with the grain trade, the advantages of
turn cargo well known 20 shippers. With these
factsn Wow IL 10 manifostly TO the advantage Of
New York city to develop this superb harbor u re-
ccivng point of tho cereals Of the West and i'm
| portant adjunct to its buskness CLINTON.