Evening journal., 1898-06-04
THE COMMERCE OF THE LAKES.
Total Tonnage OF the 500 Double Thpt
of the Suez Canal

Total Tonnage OF the 500 Double Thnt
of the suez Canal.
The commerce of the lakes Is enor-
nous. The outlet from lake Superior to
Lake Huron had always been a serious
obstacle TO commerce, in that it was,
not deep enough TO ahow the larger
freight and passenger bonts TO pass
comfortably through. locks have been
built at government expense, at the
coast of many millions of dollars, which
now allow the passage of large boats;
and two more locks are being built; and
and two more locks are being built
one by the Canadians, and one by the
Americansr-which will still further in
crease commerce. The new lock on the
American side is larger than the old,
and, when completed, will be one OF the
most wonderful pieces of masonry to
be found In the country. 1t win allow
the passage of vessels drawing 81 feet
of wator. II has cost several millions
of dollars, and will not be completed for
year or two.
For many years the great Suez canal
was looked upon as the most wonderful
piece of commercial engineering in the
world, carrying enormous cargoes
through its gateway from the east.
But In this newer land the commerce Of
the lakes has dwarfed the Suez canal.
The total tonnage of the 500 during the
year 1897 was 10, 500 600. The tonnage Of
the Suez canal in 1896 was 100000
This tonnage of the 500 does not by an,
means represent the entire commerc B.
Of the great lakes; It is only portion T.
II. Hundreds of thousands of tons az
merchandise and supplies of all kind
are shipped annually up from Lal
Michigan points through the Straits {
Mackinac eastward. which do not pas
through the 500; and many thousnnC
more 60 eastward from points belo
the 500 on the other lakes, 70 be e,-
changed for other supplies for poin
also below the 500
Year after year this immense traffic
| growing. From the great west Thee
come, TO the gateway Of the 500, whc Q
and flour and lumber and iron ore 7
the natural products from a vast nr
Of country, drawn 20 the lake roufa
because it is so much cheaper TO move
goods by water than BY rail. In ne.
turn, the east sends the west vast
quantities Of manufactured goods. and
immense supplies of hard and soft coal
The west furnishes raw materials; III,
east manufactures these materials and
sends back the products Of her fac
tories and mills. There were received
at the ports of Duluth and Superior
during the year 1s96-that Is, durine
the lake season., ,775,7l2 tons Of coal.
On the margins of these lakes, par
ticularly Oh the shores OF Superior
there ara oPe-bearing rocks containing
iron, silver. coPPer and gold. The iroi
ore IS Of remarkable coEAmeruial value
and practically inexhaustlble q
amount. Immediately tributary q
Fake Superior, IN some cases on it
very banks, are iron mines the outpu
OF which rivals that Of anC mines IN a.
world, and the supply in "sight," IA th
miners say, WIN furnish the world wit
iron for centuries 20 come.
Some of the lumber which goes cos
/ by way Of the lakes Is sent away ON +
, South Amesa0an points vitboat separ'
tlon, takirg aEsl joSrsey. Of peIhaT
4 several hundred miles down the river
20 the mill9 then a thousand nliles an
more on tAa laFes 10 titt Sk Iawrenc'
I passing tlsszash the E1slland canal {
I get TO Ontaato. and thea tEying FEY
! thousand miles OF salt wdter-a pictui
esque voyage indeed.-W S. Harwoot
I In St Nichnlas.