The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1896-06-06
New sault Lock 10 he Opened in July.

As had been expected she secretary OF
war has given approval 10 the plan OF
paying an extra sum of Sl2, 900 TO the
contractors who are digging approaches
to the new lock at Sault Ste. Marie,
Mich, ia order that the lock may be used
about July 81 Of this year. This action
on the part OF the war department will
greatly facilitate the passage Of vessels
to and from Lake Superior although 1t
is hardly expected that the draft Of water
permitted will be any greater than 1t Is
at present, until the 20-foot channel work
at the Encampmcnt and at either points
on the Sault river is completed about
the opening OF navigation next spring.
1t is quite generally agreed that other
Saut river improvement must be taken
up In the next congress. First in import
ance is the widening Of Hay lake channel,
especially at the dixie at the foot Of the
lake. The channel at this point must be
widened or another outlet provided. A
Saut correspondent writing Of this mat
ter says.
Zone OF the best authorities on the sub
ject is Joseph Ripley, United States
engineer, who has been intimately con-
nected with the river improvements here,
Mr.. Ripley is heartily in favor of the plan
OF having channel through the West
Neebish and allowing the Middle Neebish
channel tU remain as it is. While thecost
OF the proposed new channel would be
somewhat IN excess OF the cost of widen
ing the waterway at the Middle Neebishs
its advantages over the latter proposition
are many. For instance. by having two
bound up and the other for the boats
going down, thus practically wiping out
the possibility of accidents. From the
foot of Hay lake, around the Encampment,
to Mud lake, is the NEST dangerous por-
tion OF the river to navigate. more acct
dents having occurred In that section than
due to the fact that there are 20 many
abrupt turns in the channel On the other
hand the route through the West Neebish
would be comparatively straight and
about mile shorter as well. 1t is con-
ceded that the proposed route would be
Of inestimable benefit to the marine in
terests.
when the Hay lake channel was first
projected, estimates were prepared for
the cost OF the Middle and West Neebish
outlets for an 1S-foot channel. The first
route was selected for the reason that the
estimated cost was Sl00, 900 less than the
other. Subsequently the plans were
changed. and 20-foot channel was made.
In accomplishing this number Of shoals
had to be removed. These would not
have been touched had the original plans
for a 17-fuot cut been carried out. The
cost Of the work actually exceeded that OF
the estimated cut Of 21 feet by way OF the
West Neebish. In widening the present
channel the same disadvantage will be
encountered, consequently the cost of the
proposed new cut through the West
Neeoish will be little more. voluminous
report on the proposed route, covering
the cost Of the work and the advantages
Of the scheme oyer the widening of the
present channel has been prepared by
Engineer Ripley with great care. This
report will probably be submitted to the
chief OF army engineers and an effort
made to secure. III the next congress, ap-
preparations for beginning the work" ~"
Marine Review.