Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== EAST SHORE NEWS PENTWATER, OCEANA Co., MICH. FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 1871 VOLUME I, NUMBER 7. (extracts of maritime news) Our Exports and Imports. ------------------------ We give the following statement of the commerce of Pentwater during 1870, taken from the official statement published in the Grand Haven Herald: IMPORTS No. Vessels entered................ 373 Tonnage...........................35,917 Crews..............................2,081 Pig iron, tons..................... 30 Stone, cords....................... 185 Plaster, bbls...................... 63 Lime, " ........................ 288 Brick, M........................... 40 Salt, bbls......................... 157 Oats, bus..........................1,800 Grain, not specified, bus.........36,324 Potatoes, bus...................... 60 Butter, firkins.................... 158 Flout, bbls........................2,347 Feed, bags.........................1,776 Pork, bbls......................... 672 Beef, bbls......................... 163 Hams, lbs..........................4,000 Hay, tons.......................... 433 Live stock, head................... 60 Fruit, not specified, bushels...... 903 Merchandise, Pkgs..................7,000 EXPORTS No. vessels cleared................ 359 Tonnage...........................36,728 Crews............................. 1,908 Wood, cords....................... 3,506 Shingle bolts, cords.............. 7,047 Stave bolts, cords................ 47 Bark, cords....................... 615 Railroad ties.....................21,400 Lumber, M.........................12,194 Lath, M........................... 2,831 Shingles, M......................110,121 Pickets, M....................... 8 Staves, M........................ 7 Grain, not specified, bus........ 20 Potatoes, bus.................... 3,710 Flour, bbls...................... 15 Fish, bbls....................... 266 Leather, rolls................... 20 Mdse, Pkgs....................... 271 We give below the amount of shingles shipped from all the ports in this District from which it will be seen that Pentwater takes the lead in at least one branch of industry. SHINGLES EXPORTED IN 1870 Grand Haven...................... 11,755 M Muskegon......................... 9,322 " Manistee......................... 764 " Saugatuck........................ 30,080 " White Lake....................... 23,043 " South Haven...................... 1,780 " Holland.......................... 60 " Pentwater........................110,121 " Cheboygan........................ 10 " Northport........................ 58 " --------- TOTAL 186,943 The steamer MESSENGER was discovered in sight of our harbor last Monday, heading this way, but she did not try to enter. We understand that she got on the bar in going in and coming out of Ludington, remain- ing fast several hours each time. All of our Pentwater freight was un- loaded at Ludington, we suppose, to lighten her up so that could get out. Our merchants are indignant. Several have called on us and stated that they would order no more goods from Milwaukee, and have nothing more to do with the Englemann line. We trust this apparent neglect may be satis- factorily explained, and that nothing of the kind may occur again. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ EAST SHORE NEWS PENTWATER, OCEANA Co., MICH. FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1871 VOLUME I, NUMBER 8. The Last Trip of the MESSENGER. ------------------------------- (From the Mason County Record) Only 26 days elapsed between the arrival of the MANISTEE and that of the MESSENGER on Monday last. She arrived about 10 o'- clock, heavily laden with merchandise for this shore. Although drawing 8 feet six inches of water, she managed to get into port, though it was supposed that there was but seven feet of water on the bar inside the place. It is surprisingly strange how these propellers will crawl over the sand bars, but they seldom run by this place. We noticed quite a large amount of freight was landed here for the Pentwater merchants. The Captain informs us that he was afraid to attempt to enter Pentwater harbor on account of the bar outside the harbor, which seems to have formed there since the piers were built. He went close in, but the sea was breaking over the bar so heavy that he was afraid he could not enter with safety. (from the Manistee Times) The MESSENGER, Capt. Sweetman, arrived at this port from Milwaukee on Monday evening with a full cargo of merchandise. Capt. Sweetman reports a prosperous trip except a few hours detention on the bar at Ludington. The MESSENGER sailed again on Tuesday at about 2 P.M. (From the East Shore News) The steamer MESSENGER was discovered in sight of our harbor last Monday, heading this way, but she did not try to enter. We under- stand that she got on the bar in going in and coming out of Ludington, remaining fast several hours each time. All of our Pentwater freight was unloaded at Ludington, we suppose, to lighten her up so that could get out. Our merchants are indignant. Several have called on us and stated that they would order no more goods from Milwaukee, and have nothing more to do with the Englemann line. We trust this apparent neglect may be satisfactorily explained, and that nothing of the kind may occur again. DEPTH OF WATER, -- In company with Mr. Brownlow, Jesse H. Root, and Peter Helene, we carefully sounded Pentwater channel this morning, finding a good depth of water throughout. On the outside bar there is from 11 to 18 feet, across the entrance of the channel about the same depth, and no place inside the channel was found to have less than 8 feet. --------------------- Big Scare. ---------- To the Editor of the East Shore News:-- SIR: - Mr. Editor, it's too bad that the Captain of the Propeller MESSENGER was afraid to enter our port on the 27th ult., on account of that tremendous bar outside the piers, with twelve to fifteen feet of water running over it, causing that day an awful sea, about thirteen inches high -- but preferred running to Ludington with our freight, perhaps to surprise the editor of the Record with the wonderful power of his boat in crawling over the sand bar at that point, that these propellers seldom run by; but, Mr. Editor, when they do, we are almost sure to have our freight landed where it should be, as they are very glad to find shelter at Pentwater. If the proprietors of this line have any axes to grind for themselves or any one else, it would be well to touch us more lightly at first, as we are informed by an old captain who happened to be standing on the pier at the time the boat changed its course, that there was no excuse for not coming in; hence I believe these maneu- verings are prompted by motives detri- mental to our interests, and should be noticed. In conclusion, I would say to the cap- tain, don't be afraid next time, for there is plenty of water, not only on the bar, but in the channel, and our merchants would feel much better in having their goods carted from our docks, than from Ludington. Yours Respectfully, Pentwater, Mar 6, 1871 J. ----------------------------- We learn that one of our citizens, who is abundantly able to carry out the project, contemplates the purchase of a steamer, which will run between Chicago and Pent- water. Many of our citizens will guarantee their entire support to the new boat, pro- vided that the Englemann Transportation Company do not do a little better in the future than they have in the past. ------------------------------- CORRESPONDENCE Our friend, Capt. John R. Doak writes us as follows: "I think my time must be up. Enclosed you will find $2. Please continue to send the News to Racine....I have been sailing all winter, on this shore, and westerly gales did not frighten me, knowing that I had a good harbor at all times under my lee at Pentwater." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ EAST SHORE NEWS PENTWATER, OCEANA Co., MICH. FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 1871 VOLUME I, NUMBER 9. Changes of Lights on the Lakes. ------------------------------- Admiral W. B. Shubrick has given notice of the following changes of lights upon the lakes, to be made upon the opening of navigation: Lake Huron. - The light at Detour, at the mouth of the River Sault Ste. Marie, will be changed to a light of the third order. Lake Michigan. - The light at Skill- igallee will be changed to white. The pier light at St. Joseph will be changed to white. The light at Waukegan will be changed to a fifth order. The pier light at Kenosha will be changed to a sixth order white. The light at Port Washington will be changed to a fourth order. The light at Beaver Island Harbor will be changed to a fourth order red. The light at Point Peninsula will be changed to a fourth order revolving light. The light at Escanaba will be changed to white. Also, that a fixed red light will be shown from a skeleton tower of wood, painted white, recently erected on the outer end of the south pier at the harbor of Pere Marquette (Ludington) Michigan. The illuminating apparatus is a lens of the fifth order. The focal plane is at a height of thirty-six feet above the level of the lake, and in clear water the light should be visible from the deck of a vessel to a distance of eleven statute miles. Also that a fixed red light will be shown from a skeleton tower of wood, painted white, recently erected on the outer end of the south pier at the harbor of Holland, Michigan. The illuminating apparatus is a lens of the fifth order. The focal plane is at a height of thirty-four feet above the level of the lake, and in clear weather the light should be visible from the deck of a vessel at eleven statute miles. Lake Superior. -- The arc of illumi- nation of the light at Marquette will be increased from 180 to 270 degrees. The light at Point Iroquois will be changed to a fourth order revolving. Also, that the light at Mendota Harbor, (Lac la Belle), Lake Superior, has been discontinued, and will there- fore not be lighted upon the opening of navigation in the spring of 1871. Lake Huron. -- Also, that a fixed white light be shown from a tower re- cently built at the northern end of the Peninsula of Presque Isle, Lake Huron. The illuminating apparatus is a lens of the third order. The focal plane is at a height of 123 feet above the level of the lake, and in clear weather the light should be seen from the deck of a vessel at the distance of nineteen statute miles. The buildings consist of a tower of red brick, with a keeper's dwelling of Milwaukee brick attached. Simultaneously with the exhibition of this light, that now shows on the southeastern point of the peninsula, at the entrance to the harbor of Presque Isle, will be discontinued. ---------------------------------------- Ludington --------- The ALDRICH, a first-class tug from Milwaukee, has been purchased by Capt. Caswell for this port. Messrs. Ewing and Miller have returned from a trip to Muskegon and Black Lake, and report that the MINNIE DOAK is a total wreck. Hopes have hitherto been entertained that she had merely sunk, and could be raised this spring at no great expense. She was lost last fall about one mile north of Black Lake. The steamer MESSENGER arrived at Pentwater last Tuesday morning, and got over that horrid "bar" without experiencing any difficulty, there being only about 11 or 12 feet of water there. Since writing the above, the MESSENGER has again made us a visit, drawing nearly 9 feet of water. She had a large quantity of freight for our merchants. The schooner LEN HIGBY sailed with a full cargo of shingles for Milwaukee and Chicago last Tuesday afternoon. ----------------------------------------------- SHEBOYGAN and PENTWATER ----------------------- The Schooner "LEN HIBGY" Makes the Trip in Six Hours - The Practica- bility of a Daily Line of Steam- ers Between These Points Demonstrated On Saturday, March 11, the schooner LEN HIGBY - Young, Master - entered our harbor at one o'clock P.M. Through the courtesey of Mr. E. B. Lyman, one of her owners, who came over from Sheboygan at that time, - we are enabled to give the following particulars in regard to her last trip. The HIGBY left Sheboygan at 7 o'clock A.M., and during the first hour made very slow progress, on account of light breeze and heavy head sea. The wind soon fresh- ened, however, and in spite of the head sea with which she had to contend until she reached the east shore, the trip was made in six hours. We are glad to call the attention of this last trip of the HIGBY, at this particular time, on account of the efforts which in one way and another are being made of late to dis- parage our harbor, and throw the shadow of doubt over the feasibility of establishing a line of steamers between Sheboygan and Pent- water. Our citizens are under great obliga- tions to Messrs. Lyman & Higby for having repeatedly demonstrated that winter navigation between these two points is eminently practi- cable. Their vessels have made frequent trips from both Sheboygan and Pentwater during the present and several previous winters. They have also been able to clear from these points when the harbors at Grand Haven and Milwaukee were closed. They have now proved that a line of steamers plying between Sheboygan and Pent- water could make the round trip daily, for if a sail vessel can come over in six hours, a steamer ought to do a little better, certainly. As regards the present depth of water in Pentwater harbor, the soundings taken by Engi- neer Brewster fully confirm the statement we made last week. There is at no place in the channel less than 8 feet of water, and through nearly its whole extent, from 9 1/2 to 15 feet. The outside bar is a myth. There is no place outside the piers with less than 12 feet of water. Our captains unite in saying that the harbors of Shebogan (sic) and Pentwater are among the best on the lake to enter in rough weather, although a much less amount has been expended on their improvement than has been granted to those adjacent. To prove this we quote from the official statement of Government appro- priations as follows: WISCONSIN PREVIOUS TO 1871 1871 Milwaukee $204,087.45 $38,000.00 Sheboygan 105,488.91 15,000.00 Manitowoc 100,320.00 11,000.00 MICHIGAN White River 121,550.00 20,000.00 Pentwater 82,320.00 10,000.00 Pere Marquette 91,183.00 10,000.00 We may also be permitted to add that no dredging has been done in Pentwater harbor for two years, and that the amount here expended was only about $2,000. May we soon be able to state that the proposed lines of steamers between Sheboy- gan and Pentwater is established. Until then we hope to be pardoned for frequently bringing the facts in regard to these har- bors before the public. ---------------------------------------------- EXPLANATION ----- Pentwater, March 14, 1870 Editor East Shore News -- DEAR SIR: -- The following communication from Mr. Englemann, has just been received by me, and in order to allay some misunderstandings here, I hand it to you for publication. The letter speaks for itself. Yours Respectfully, F. W. Ratzel [transcriber note: the date above was printed in error] ------------------------- OFFICE OF THE ENGLEMANN TRANSPORTATION Co. MILWAUKEE, MARCH 10, 1871. F. W. RATZEL, Esq. -- My Dear Sir: -- Your favor of the 2d to hand. We are glad to explain to you and through you to our Pentwater friends, why the MESSENGER did not go to Pentwater last trip. Captain Sweetman was instructed to go to Pentwater and Ludington if possible from here; if the weather should be against him on his way over, to try again on his return from Manistee to make these harbors. It is true he did not go within six miles of Pent- water; a strong wind from the northwest was blowing when he got over on the east shore, and the Captain knew that if he did go to Pentwater with a strong northwest wind, he could not turn the boat around in Pentwater River, or do so in Pentwater Lake, on account of ice, and could not undertake to back the boat out of the harbor with a northwest wind, risking to go ashore and lose the boat. His only course was to make still water under Big Point Sauble. The boat was drawing nearly 9 feet of water when she left here, and with the experience of the last trip of the MANISTEE to your harbor (where she had very hard work backing out there, scraping the bottom, drawing about 7 feet 8 inches, breaking her bolts and sternbearings,) it would have been very imprudent under these circumstances to attempt to enter your harbor. Under these circumstances, the next best thing was done; we had to land your goods at Ludington, in order to get in and out of that harbor. Had the Captain known the condition of that harbor he would not have gone in there. At Manistee, the Captain put on a small load of lumber, trimmed his boat to go into Ludington, put on Pentwater goods and deliver them there; but being out only about 11 miles, a gale from the southwest came up, blowing and snowing heavy, and he was obliged to steer for the west shore, being out 19 hours, and arriving here covered with ice and snow. A wilder theory could not be imagined than that we are in any shape or manner interested or concerned with Mr. Joy or Mr. Filer, in having the railroad run to Ludington rather than to Pentwater; no such thing ever entered our heads until your letter came. It is for our interest to run to your harbor whenever it is practicable. We have not the slightest reason or disposition to run by you, neglect you, disparage your town or harbor. Our interest and feelings are all with you. Very truly yours, Nath. Englemann, Pres't. ------------------------------------------------- Through the courtesy of Capt. Crane we were shown his splendid vessel, the SOUVENIR, which, when the last touch of improvement has been made, of which there has been many - she will be excelled by none on the lake. The little schooner yacht FAVORITE is laid up on dry dock, and is being calked, painted, etc., and when all the improvements contemplated have been made, she will be as spunky a little craft as sails on the lakes. ---------------------------------------------------- Gen. Cutcheon paid us a visit last Wednesday afternoon. He was a passenger on the MESSENGER. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ EAST SHORE NEWS PENTWATER, OCEANA Co., MICH. FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 1871 VOLUME I, NUMBER 10. Goodrich's line of steamers began trips between Chicago and Muskegon ** Grand Haven last Tuesday. PENTWATER HARBOR ---------------- Official Report of the Engineers of the Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore Railroad Company. Pentwater Harbor is situated on the East Shore of Lake Michigan, about sixty miles north of the outlet of Grand River and forty miles south of the Manistee, at the head of the bay formed by the two points Au Sauble, and is protected by them from all except westerly winds. The harbor is formed by a small lake near the shore of Lake Michigan, and connected with the latter by a narrow channel two thousand feet in length. This channel is protected partly by slabs and edgings piled upon the banks in an irregular manner, commencing at the point where the channel leaves Pentwater Lake, and continued to the beach of Lake Michi- gan, and from that point into Lake Michigan, by timber cribs filled with stone, built and furnished by the Government. In making the survey of the harbor, we find a portion of the channel between Pentwater Lake and the Government pier too narrow, the sides crooked, and in very bad condition. The strong current against the sides washes the slabs and sand into the channel, causing, together with the drift of the sand by the south winds some shallow places; but notwith- standing these effects, and no propellers running here during the whole winter, - we find only one place - a point near the east end of the Government piers - where the water is less than ten feet deep, - that being only nine feet, from that point to Pentwater Lake, the depth ranges from ten to fifteen feet, and at the Railroad line, a distance of one hundred feet, the depth increases to 24 feet. From the east end of the Government piers to Lake Michigan, the soundings indicate a depth of from ten to fourteen feet, and from the end of the pier to the bar, a distance of two hundred feet, the water ranges as shown by the accompanying chart, from thirteen to fifteen feet. On the the bar there is only eleven and a half feet, gradually increasing to deep water. It is our opinion that there will be no difficulty in maintaining a depth of fifteen feet in a channel of one hundred and fifty in width, but it will be necessary to stop the drifting of the sand into the channel from the hills, and to remove the slabs from the sides and bottom of the channel, straightening the same from lake to lake, and to remove the sand by dredging to the depth required. It may be necessary to extend the Government piers to the bar, - a distance of two hundred feet, - but if the deposits are stopped by protecting the sides of the channel and by the removal of the sand beds above from the outlet, the strong currents caused by the rise and fall of water in Lake Michigan, forcing the water into Pentwater Lake when rising, and discharging the same when falling, (an action of the water that occurs daily,) will have a tendency to deepen the water on the bar, and this will be materially assisted by propellers and tugs during the season of navigation. The water in Pent- water Lake being twenty-four feet at a distance of one hundred feet at a distance of one hundred feet, and increasing, protects the channel from all drifting sand and sediment from above, and from the end of the Government pier into Lake Michigan it increases its depth so rapidly that it must require a long time for another bar to form by the action of the waves, providing the channel be protected by an extension of the piers. J. C. Brewster, C. E. A. DeMan, C. E. Pentwater, March 2d, 1871. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ EAST SHORE NEWS PENTWATER, OCEANA Co., MICH. FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 1871 VOLUME I, NUMBER 11. THE ENGLEMANN LINE ------------------ One of Milwaukee's most growing institutions is the Englemann line. This line for the coming season will comprise the LAC LA BELLE, IRONSIDES, MESSENGER, MANISTEE, METROPOLIS and CITY OF TOLEDO; the last two are side-wheelers. The following will show the names of the officers and the capacity of the boats: LAC LA BELLE - H. W. Thompson, Captain; Edward Wiles, Clerk; R. M. McClure, Engineer; Dan. Bryant, First Mate; D. Wilcox, Steward. Capacity, 1,200 tons burthen, and accomodates 200 cabin passengers. This boat is most elegantly furnished, and we doubt if her equal can be found on fresh or salt water. She carries a fire extinguisher with sufficient hose to reach any part of the boat. Twenty-five hundred barrels of flour can be stowed in her decks. IRONSIDES - Theodore Saveland, Captain; Walter Cowper, Clerk; A. Lefleur, Engineer; Wm. Ladner, First Mate; D. Driscoll, Steward. Capacity, 1,200 tons burthen; cabin accomodations for 200 passengers. MESSENGER - Harry Sweetman, Captain; A. Laudolt, Clerk; Wm. Ferry, Engineer; S. Morgan, First Mate. Capacity, 576 tons burthen. Cabin accomidations for 100 passengers. She is heated throughout by steam. CITY OF TOLEDO - J. B. Hodges, Captain; Harry White, Clerk; John Kelley, Engineer; Jerome McBride, First Mate. Capacity, 560 tons burthen. Cabin accomodations for 125 passengers. METROPOLIS - W. N. Stannard, Captain; G. B. Van Pelt, Clerk; J. Stark, Engineer; John Price, First Mate; Wm. Fenton, Steward. Capacity, 470 tons burthen; cabin accomodations for 135 passengers. She can make 14 miles an hour with great ease. The IRONSIDES and LAC LA BELLE form the Milwaukee and Grand Haven routes; boats leaving daily from each end except Saturdays, but it is the intention of the proprietors to run every Saturday night to Fruit- port, a snug little village 12 miles in the rear of Grand Haven, which might properly be called a second Saratoga. Chicago capitalists have already invested half a million in building hotels and other improve- ments there. The MESSENGER forms the tri-weekly line between Milwaukee, Pentwater, Ludington and Manistee; leaving here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings at 7 o'clock. The MESSENGER is so well known to the traveling public that we refrain from any further remarks. The East Shore Line comprises the two side-wheel steamers METROPOLIS and CITY OF TOLEDO, which will leave Grand Haven every morning for Muskegon, Whitehall, Benona, Pentwater, Ludington, Manistee, Turnersport and Frankfort; and every Saturday through to Empire, Glen Arbor, Kilder- house's Carp River, and Northport. The MANISTEE is reserved for carrying passengers and grain between this place and Grand Haven, and to fill out the places of any boat that should happen to be laid up for repairs, &c. -- Milwaukee Daily Guide. --------------------------------------------------------- The METROPOLIS and MESSENGER, of the Englemann Line, are now running regularly, and the CITY OF TOLEDO is expected to come on soon. ===========================================================================