Congressional Serial Set Volume 2372 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1886 Excerpt: ...the two old ones, and urged the matter in terms as strong as seemed proper. It was stated that the commerce through the canal during 1883 was 2,042,259 tons (registered); that the annual increase iu tonnage for fifteen years had been quite uniform, averaging 107,313 tons per year; that only 11 per cent, of the freight passing the caual during 1883 was in vessels of sufficiently light draught to admit of their passing through the old locks, and that if these figures were maintained for eight years the present lockage system, although in constant operation, would be insufficient to take care of the shipping. We now have complete returns for the season of 1884, and the annual increase in tonnage has not only been maintained but largely exceeded; that is to say, the registered tonnage passing t hrough the canal during the season of 1884 was 2,997,837 tons, an increase of 955,578 tons, or nine times the average annual increase for the preceding fifteen years. Or, to state it possibly with greater force, this incrtaot in 1884 is equal to the entire commerce through the canal during the first fire years it icas open to navigation. Should this rate of increase; be maintained, the full capacity of the lockage system will be reached within four years instead of eight, as estimated in the Annual Report. The following table affords the means of comparing, in detail, the business of the canal during the season of 1884 with that of 1883: Comparative statement of the commerce through Saint Mary's Falls Canal, Michigan, for the Masons of 1883 and 1884. Canal opened April 23, and closed December 10, 1884, being open to navigation 232 days. Cadhi was open dining season of 1883, '124 days. "Annual Report Chief of Engineers for 1864, Part III, page 2011. The increase in r...