The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1891-09-02
LAKE COMMERCE..
Will Receive Much Attention from
the Next Congress.
NEEDS OF THE WATERWAYS
Are to be Set Before That Body in q
Comprehensive Manner.
RESULTS OF THE TOUR

Lately Made by Party Of Congressman
are Likely to be of Great Benefit to the
Inland Seas. a
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31.-The COM
merce of the great lakes is subject
which will probably receive more at
tention during the next congress than
has ever before been devoted to 1t. The
fact that already steamer laden with
upwards Of 1000 tons OF grain has made
successful trip from Duluth to Liver
pool adds greatly to general interest In
the matter With view to personally
inspecting the requirements necessary
for successful navigation Of these vast
inland seas, number Of congressman
and Washington correspondents have
visited the lakes during the summer as
guests Of the vessel owners association
OF Cleveland, o. A party of correspond
ents has just returned from a tour OF
the entire American chain Of lakes from
Duluth TO Buffalo, distance of 2,617
miles.
There are now engaged in commerce
on the lakes more than 1000 vessels
representing an investment of upwards
of S50OOO,0O0. The average carrying
capacity OF the steamers plying these
waters is about $500. Owing to the
dangerous distractions over which the
vessels have to pass, double bottoms
are being put in all new ships, to obvi-
ate their total loss in case they strike
the rocks. Not long since one Of the
new steamers picked up boulder from
The bottom and carried 1t several hun
dred miles without further injury than
an immense hole in her outer, or pro-
tective bottom. At present 1t is not
possible for the vessels to load to their
full carrying capacity on account Of
dangerous distractions in the lakes and
rivers The 800" canal at Sault Ste.
Marie, through which all commerce for
the northwest has TO pass, will only
permit draught Of fifteen feet, Ave or
six inches, there being but sixteen feet
of water in the great lock at that point
Nearly all the coal transported to the
northwest passes, over that route and
should anything serious happen 10 the
single lock- now In use. n coal famine N
the extreme northwest would probably
follow.
The present lock has been In opera
ton since September, 1881. A second
lock Is in course OF construction on the
American side and another Is being con-
structed on the Canadian side Of the
river. When these are completed, facil-
tiles for the passage of vessels viii Be
made nearly In accord with the existing
requirements. There Is great need OF
immediate dredging and blasting along
the route Of vessels In the lakes and
rivers. On the route from. Cleveland 10
Duluth. at Point Pole, on the Canadian
side OF the Detroit river, there are a num-
Der Of dangerous boulders, and at Col
chester, In the Detroit river, there are
dangerous wrecks and rocks At Bar
Point, at the mouth Of the Detroit river,
the distractions are numerous. At that
point vessels ground frequently, es-
pecially In the autumn, when the water |
Ia more shallow than during the sum- |
mer months. AT Lime Kiln Crossing.
and thence 10 Billiards. Reef, there are |
about four miles Of rocky bottom and |
the water is very shallow.
Beyond Crosse Point, In Lake 81
Clair. about fiye miles from the mouth
of the St Clair river, TO St Clair Flats,
obs,ructions of sand and mud render
navigation extremely dangerous. Con.
gress will be urged TO dredge the course
without further delay. opposite Port
Huron the sand bar. caused by Grand
Trunk railroad dredges. Is n dangerous
ous and great care must be exercised
In n,ssirg n Al star Island ohovo
% cI.i- .ha Aa-,aa, .,,anS, a. ~
V' 'no - .n - ~ Iaei 10 ~
such oau conuition tna1 All vessels are
corapelled TO travel through the Cana
dian channel. At Fort Gratiot rocks
and old wrecks abound TO the disccm-
fori Of mariners. while off Sailors En-.
camnment "Soor river. NAVIGATION Ia
- Tha ahsanoo % I;rs,,,s -
pe- ~ ,sD,,.1' . 80 anu
ouoys IN tia' iocaii'y renue' Iunhingae
nigh so dangerous tnat IL Is seldom
AUS pteu.
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