New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-09-08
MINING ENGIYEERS AFLOAT
THE WEALTH OF MICHIGAN.

VISITING THE MINES OF TIE MARQUETrE DISTRICT
SAILING ACROSS LAKE sUPERI0R-THROUGH
THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC-THE IRON ORES
OF MENOMINFE-BACK TO CHICAGO.
lFRoM OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRIBUNE.
Chicago, Sept. 4.-The members of the
American Institute OF Mining Engineers who formed
the party exploration to the mineral Of Lake
Superior have separated and gone home. Early Tues
day morning left Marquette by special train fur
nished by the Marquette Houghton and Ontonagon
Railroad Company for visit to the famous iron mines
If the Negaunee and Ishpeming districts. The mines
visited McComber. South Jackson, Jackson Cleye-
land. Ishpcmng, NewYork Lake Superior and Barnum.
Notwithstanding a hard rain and mud ankle-deep the
day was greatly enjoyed 1t until lately believed
by many that the mines Of this d strict would
give out, owing TO the fact that they
what is technically called pockets" but recent
explorations with the aid OF the diamond drill show
that enormous deposits, hitherto unknown, underly
much of the surrounding country. The ladies or the
party did go this excursion, and were conse-
Quen' prepared to welcome pretty toilets and with
smiling faces. the tired and dusty experts who returned
early in the evening to supper. Later meeting for
papers and discussion was held IN the cabin.
the next DAY the mines Of the Marquette district
were visited These included the famous Republic,
Champion and Mchigamme mines. which for years have
been very productive and which give signs as yet OF
failing, though al increasing depths the work IT mining
becomes somewhat costly and difficult. Most OF
the party, including the ladies. went down into these
mines and greatly entertained by the scenes IN
the vast underground caverns through which they were
conducted. Meanwhile the steamer went on TO LAnse
where party reembared ~ 1870 In tbe evening II
was the intention to have sailed from LAuse to Hough
ton during the evening bu, for apparent to
the nautical mind Of the captain. but obscure to every
one ol-e the run was not made until morning.
On Friday me party left the steamer for the famous
copper mines the other side OF the peninsula, on
special train provided by the officers OF the Mineral
Range Railroad. These included the we-'mOwn Calu-
met ana Heca Mines ranking among the most produc-
tive aud valuable mining properties IN the country We
VISITED the stamping and dressing mills at Torch Lake,
party returned by steamer - ghon. and
IN The evening The subscription dinner at chat
pac the Douglas House. The affair passed of very
pleasantly, and the speeches which were called ont By
the tOasts greatly enjoyed.
Saturday WIS "a day of peculiar pleasure. The pro-
gramme calci Tor trip across Lake Superior TO the
north Shore and ny good fortune the day warm and
clear, and the lake smooth as mirror IS We APP
preached the north shore a beautiful mirage appeared,
wlch clus d much surprise and delight among those
WHO had never before witnessed THIS phenomenon PeO-
pie on shore said that approached they
saw II dupcat ii upside down TIE sky, bur nothing
quite 50 startling witnessed from the deck. The
object TINS trip to visit tho famous rock known as
silver Iset. To mako landing required special per-
mission aud rs the superintendent was absent the cap
tam took the steamer for n around Thunder Bay
TIE here is surprisingly grand Thunder Cape
Is bold plOmontQry rising some HOO feet above the
a. with prec ptous sides resembling in respects
the Palisades Of the Hudson On return to the wharf
opposite silver Isct the superintendent found. and
he party returned % visit the mine, which
IcIcncd by tu-b1a belonging to the company.
There Is very Hide to soc except
great deal OF crIbbng and very inferior
machinery bur out Of the small and unnving shafts
great deal Of silver has been taken, and We were
suicd that most important hnd nad just been mate
The sail back TO marquette was entirely dellghtu
Early M0ud ~ mornIng We passed through the Sault
Ste Malle Canal down thr RIVER Gad before eVenlng
interest and Wa greatly enjoyed In the evening the
cabin was cleared for session OF " Section ?" new
feauHe III the Institute but one which was greatly en-
the discussions winch followed each In turn called out
great dea Of VII The meeting was extremely successful
On tuesday reached Escdnaba 10y daybrcak, ana
LETT he steamer tor good That day devoted 10 ex
range. which have suddenly Ganci such prominence,
aud waich within three years nave raised Escanabi
SURPRISING and most frsting of anythng we mad seen
the tn p The quality Of tae ore practically perfect
Il il free nom OsphOrus and sulpHur. and I'm
metallic iron hat no ore under 30 per ceat Is considered
marketable Thc 90 per cent piled up above the
openings in the expectation that her boom will
day ave 1t value and no DOUBT IL will Inc ship
meuis these mines increased from 10000 tons
in 1867 900 900 tons this year and with y,son0 OF
the RAILROAD 10 the Florence and Champion mines whch
said 10 surpass anything yet opened aud with the
increased production of those nearer the lake. It VIII not
be dhcult IN another year 10 pro nee more Than
million tons for shipment The cost Of getting TINS ore
to the averages at all the mucs OF the Me mo
mDee district about 81 ton aud IN some Instances
l. low 80 cents. Ii l. mined with pick ana shovel
and the only drawback Is that, owing % the friaDle
character of the hanging WALL great deal tmb ring
Will be- necessary. TINS, however, has been provided
for, aud the companies have all secured timber
Lands enough to meet their requiem 'nt3 Tor
half century To come. The opening OF the NcnOmineo
event OF the greatest importance 10 the tin
trade or the country. A. IL IS All steel ore II Will make
steel eneap enough to present liz substitute for iron
in lis principal Will make the pudding furnace
thing O the past In tho presence OF such deposits of
dephOspOrZng lose their nteresand
with sucn Resources at comm ma the supremacy OF tie
iron INDUSTRIES OF this country In International cOmpet
ton Is assured.
AT Menominee River Junction the party took cars for
Chicago, which WAS reached in due time, and after "A
day rest the members separated.