Maritime History of the Great Lakes

Tonnage of the Lakes, May 1855, p. 185

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costing, in their consturctions, $4,600.000. On Lake Ontario there were 7 steamboats, 6 propellers, and about 100 sail vessels having an aggregate tonnage of about 18,000, and costing $1,500,000. In 1849, there were, on the whole chain of lakes, -- 95 steamers, of 38,942 tons 45 Propellers, of 14,435 " 5 Barques, of 1,645 " 93 Brigs, of 21,330 " 548 Schooners, of 71,618 " 128 Sloops and Scows of 5,484 " Total 153,454 Valued at about $7,868,000. And in 1854, there were 110 Steamers, of 57,961 tons 97 Propellers, of 33,732 " 33 Barques, of 12,839 " 101 Brigs, of 25,901 " 639 Schooners, of 97,641 " 216 Sloops and Scows, of 9,760 " Total 237,834 Valued at about $10,185,000. The actual number of steamers now on the lakes does not show a large increase over 1849, but those which have gone out of existence have been supplied by others of double and quadruple tonnage. The large number of steam and sail vessels which are appended are but the successors of others which have gone before them, some by decay, and many from the want of adequate harbors to protect them during violent storms. The application of steam-power to the purposes of navigation forms the brightest era in the history of our country. It is that which has contributed more than any other cause to the rapid growth of our population and the almost miraculous development of our resources. The history of our lake marine could it be written out in full, would form a subject of interesting study. It would present a series of triumphs in naval architecture quite as important to the States bordering on the lakes, quite as clearly defined and as le-

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