The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-02-12
MEMORIAL TO CONGRESS
IN RELATION TO THE
HARBOR AT MANITOW0C, WISCONSIN.

To THE HONORABLE SENATE HOUSE REPRESENTA-
UNITED STATES AMERICA, II CONGRESS
sEMBLED:
The memorial of the board Of aldermen Of the city of Man
itowoc, Wis, respectfully represents
That the Aanowoc habor by of its location the
commercial center of large manufacturing and agricultural
district OF great importance to local commerce. and also TO
the of Lake Michigan affords the only harbor
of refuge the shore of Lake Michigan north Mlwau
kee for the feet Of vessels trading between Chicago lwau
kee and northern and ports.
That the Z S. Government has expended large of
money in building harbor piers extending the into the
lake far enough obtain average depth I water
That the harbor be entered by vessels drawing
depth of for the that between the harbor piers
sand and other Debris has accumulated which will be necs
sary to have removed by dredging.
That the city of Manitowoc has all times materially and
literally assisted in the improvement of the said harbor
1865 the city built dredge and expense about
$4,000 and allowed the doing government work
The of the nominal by Of which the
government able to have the work of excavang
cubic yards done the of per cubic yard while
the kind of work paid for other ports along the
lake shore the of per cubic yard being net
saving the year, the excavang
the Of S23,5S2.60.
That the city has, its expense done dredging
times as follows:
In 1868, 1000 cubic yards In 1872 400 cubic yards
In 1869, 10000 " In 1913, 1866
In 1870, 10000 In 1874, 80, 700
In 1871, $4,000 {"
That the city has also built about one mile of docks at an
expense of about $4,000
That the city Of Manowoc ready and willing to expend
the necessary drdge the river proper make the
navgabe for large vessels the general govern
ment will appropriate the do the work of
dredging between the harbor PIERS but that the city of Mani
towoc unable to do all of saiu work its expense
Your memoriaists ask leave call the attention of your
honorable body to the following extracts from the reports of
u s. Engineers II charge Of the Improvements the
shore OF Lake Michigan north of Milwaukee, Wis:
Annual Report Chief Engineers for 1876 Appendix
W pa 81 reference is made the fact of the building
OF the dge heretofore referred and after giving history
OF Manowoc harbor the year 1875, page Major D.
G. Houston says:
"To length upon the advantages derived by the
city of Mantowoc and the district Of which the
cia centre the benefit derived through this Improvement
by the lake marine generally would be superluous what
has already been shown respecting the increase OF trade at this
point by this brief history be conclusive evidence
its importance regards Manitowoc and simple
of the fact that hundred and fifty vessels all
descriptions sought shelter in this hrbor during the preva
ence Of potaced storm will attest to its Importance
harbor of refuge"
Annual Report U. S Engineers, 1870 Appendix " page
&c., speaking of the Importance of early completion of the
harbor at Manitowoc, Major II. NJ. Robert says:
The entire through of the lakes bound from
Buffalo to Milwaukee and Chicago destitute OF shelter
the east shore OF this lake after leaving South Mantou Island
abor with the exception OF that afforded by the harbor
Grand Haven situated $50 miles the southwark and 80
miles directly of the regular As the prevailing
winds westerly masters vessels USUALLY seek the west
shore, for the purpose of finding still striking it about
Twin River Point 10 miles northeast of Mantowoc habor
For similar purpose the through commerce from Chi
cage and Milwaukee Buffalo ordinarily hugs
far north Twin River Point After leaving Milwaukee,
this harb0r miles the nortWar affords the shelter
from violent storms and from thence northward haror of
refuge available than Baeys arbor North BAY
20 70 distant In addition therefore to the great
benefit conferred upon local traffic. this harbor should
peed possible for the refuge affords the gen
era of the lakes and PLYING and from
he the Takat
gan and this Importance should insure its maintenance
The extent to which is sought in time peril an
indication of the estimate placed upon advantages
sells having sought shelter therein during single storm Were
the piers extended sufficient depth water to admit of
heavily: vessels entering it during gales its value
would be greatly enhanced.'
Annual Report of Chief Engineers 1879 page 160 Appen
dix T. Major II. NJ. Robert says:
The recommendation contained in last annual report in
reference to the Importance of the early completion Of this ex
celent habor respectfully renewed will be seen BY ref
to that report the position Of anitowoc harbor gives
it than local importance makes its completion
matter in which the whole commerce Of the lake is nteresed
(See Report Chief Engineers 1877, page S63.)
Your menoriasts further desire call attention of your
honorable body the fact that Manowoc by reason of the
natural excellence of its harbor and its location with reference
communication between the wheat fields of Minnesota and
the markets OF the East has been fixed upon the
minus the western shore of Lake Michigan trasporta
ton route in which several different railway companies are in
teresed, extending from Minneapolis to Manowoc thence
Lake Michigan by steamer the city of Ludington
about 90 miles east OF ManowOc, connecting that point
with the Flint and Pere Marquette Railway.
That this is much shorter route between Minnesota
and the East than any existing proposed
That Maniowoc harbor open for navigation during most
OF the year. ice blockades seldom occurring and well fitted