The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-16

Seattle, Wash. Aug 20. 1897
Sir-ln obedience to the department s
order of July 81, 1897, directing that re-
port be made upon the plan outlined In
letter OF Mr.. T.. q. Graves, president
of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and
upon the practicability OF using Lakes
Union and Washington as fresh water
anchorages for United States naval ves-
sells. have the honor TO submit the fol-
lowing:
The United States engineers. in sur
veying the line of the proposed canal 10
connect the lakes with Puget Sound had
developed the contour lines of the bot
tom in the northern arms OF Lake Union,
and TO deep water In Lake Washington.
but no information was obtainabie regard
ing the depth elsewhere in either lake.
Parallel lines of soundings were there
fore run in Lake Union upon range sig
mails established every three hundred feet.
by Lieut. V. l.. Cottman. and tifty-six
miles OF soundings were run by Lieut..
Harry Kimmell. TO ascertain the depth
and character OF the bottom in Lake
Washington tTraclngs showing the re-
suit are forwarded by this mail)
IL will be seen that Lake Union Is all
that could be desired as a fresh water
basin, and that secure anchorages exist
in Lake Washington. especially at the
northern end and 10 the eastward Of Mer-
surrounding hills. and from the report
that violent transforms are almost un-
known in this region, II II evident that
little In the way OF surface scoursngS.
which would lessen the depth, Is carried
into these lakes. People who have lived
on their shores for many years assert
that they are never frozen over, and that
only thin film Of ice forms occasionally
near the banks.
II canal. with a lock through which
vessels of forty-eight feet beam and
twenty-five draft can pass. has been de-
iermined upon there seems 30 be every
good reason why II should be enlarged
enough To permit any naval vessel now
built or building to enter Lake Union.
From a naval standpoint the extension
Of the canal 10 Lake Washington does
not appear TO have any significance. The
water level Of Lake Union would be main
tanned feven should the locks below DO
in constant uSeD by the inflow through the
cut already made for logging purposes.
between the two lakes or II certainly
could be by "A little more exeayating-
Referring 10 the suggestion in Capt.
Barker's letter. herewith returned, that
the canal should be walled IN the entire
length so that IL could be- guarded IN
time OF war. or riot. only regular fortlf-
cations would protect from an enemy
who was strong enough 10 effect "A land
ing and rioters. who might destroy or
disable the gates and machinery OF the
lock. would hardly attempt 20 beck The
canal The lock should be enclosed a;
least sufficiently to enable the guards 70
prevent the approach Of unauthorized
persons, and II should be far back as
possible frcm the shore lire in order that
an enemy's vessel attempting 20 IRE at
the gates would have 20 take q position
in Tine with the canBl. and ne exposed 10
increased accuracy OF IRE from me mortar
batteries to De placed near the hafbor
entrance.
with reference 70 the statements in the
apartments letter ti3at Information was
particularly desired Ga 20 the conditions
under -bieh the government could ae-
stulre property on the shores II tHe lakes.
IL vas found thai land ~ or near suit
able sites was held sn anticipation OF the
Yfsa in yaisss that would cea1e with the
beginning Ct work en- The canal. On Tho
saefern side Of Lake Union. which -
nearest the CRY and where little Ieyeisng
woufa have to he done. lots ferli3 are
valued anywhere from rE9 - ss@. sseFeafs-
inx utsof tie distance frem the wassr
front On tae opposite side land II cheap