The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1896-08-06
TOLEDO. Aupust 3 1885,.

ture was In a pleasant mood when she
blended grandeur with quiet beauty along
the shores OF these great inland seas.
The islands which break the broad ex-
panse Of water IN northern Lake Michi-
gan, are feast to the eyes with their
dark wooded slopes. They seem 10 alb
sorb the sun shine In their languorous
depths and invite the mind to dreamy
drowslness. But the waters are treach
erous as the scattered wrecks testify.
There is no captain who does not breathe
sigh of relief when the labyrinthine
| channel through reefs and shoals is pass
ed on the way ont from Escanabq, and
| the undistur6ed swell of the great lake
is felt.
One can realize the immense commerce
OF the lakes when Its volume is confined
to the comparatively narrow channel of
| the Straits, the Detroit and St. CLAIR
rivers. The straits are picturesque. par
tlcGiarly 90 the northern shore where the
bluffs are high, and the towns from the
steamers deck appear like white dots IN
a forest of green. On every side are
steamers blowing their way either up or
down with what appears like sullen per.
slstence. The schooner with its petals
of wheat is ceasing to be q common sight
in these days of progress, but it attracts
every eye and is regarded as a symbol Of
| the past. The Detroit and st. Clair rivers
are like busy streets. One simply "ioins
! the procession" and strives 10 keep IN the
middle OF the road. Ia this portion of
the route is where the "20.foot channel"
Is receiving chief attention. Not only
have the rivers been dredged, but chan
mel las been cut through Lake st. Clair.
The waters of this lake are quite shallow.
The channel cuts straight across it from
the mouth Of the st. Clair to the head of
the Detroit The clay is of a blue kind,
and beng cohesive. there Is no danger of
the channels filling up by the wash. The
channel Is now dredged to a depth of Is
/ feet. The steamer Manchester loaded to
IL feet-S, had her wake made white with
the disturbance caused by her wheel IN
thus channel, showing that a greater
| depth is desirable. Not only has the
channel been deepened through the riv-
ers, but the course has been shortened as
we'll by cutting off bends. The most i'm.
portant work, because the most neces-
sary, has been at the Lime Kilns Cross
Ing THIS is near the entrance to Lake
Erie. The channel here is hewn out of
SOLID rock. No halt knowledge of the
course through this place will take boat
safely through. A deviation means serl.
Gus injury if not destruction to the boat
Buoys, hghtships, stakes, landmarks and
other devices are used to aid the nayipa-
tor both at the crossing and through
the treacherons waters above. The shall
low waters of Lake Erie do not offer III
all It's extent that abundance Of sea room
which the sailor loves. 1t has its "shoals
and Shailowa'' and the course through il
Is winding III consequences. With the
work now under contract at ManitowoC
completed, the harbor mt that place will
De equal TO all the demands of navigation
With the limitations of the 90 foot chan
mel in It's present status, Manitowoc is
abreast with the best progress of the day
on the lakes IN improvement OF water
ways.
There is no harbor on the lakes equal
to that of Erie. That is there IS no other
sTch fine natural harbor 1t is a small
bay completely land locked, except at the
narrow entrance. Two belts of lanG
sweep out INTO the lake from the shore II
circular form, and almost meet A few
miles out from the shore and thus en-.
close vast basin. Here is found com
plete refuge from every storm which api
tates the lake.
line money question Is the burning one
everywhere. 1t is surprising how prevail
ent the IDEA is that Is to | means tina
Slb IN silver can be had for 81 in gold
There never was another such epidemic
on an economic matter as the silver craze
Men whose conversation and general in
tellIgence vouched for their good sense
told me at Erie, that they themselves
had been carried away for the time by The
frenzy, but that reflection had soberec
them. They are now stemming the cur
rent and with good success, and say that
sentiment Is growing more healthy. The
silver craze will be another example oil
the transitory character of quick fire
It's snbsldence will equal IN rapidity its
growth to the dimensions it had week
ago.