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As the General Government has commenced the foundation for a lighthouse on Btannara's : )oS, a sketch relating the history of its discovery, and a description of the beacon now upon it, may be of interest to the many readers of The Iniee Ocean. Some thirty years ago Captain Stannard, of Cleveland, while navigating Lake Superior, was becalmed near this rook, and no-;:?'ng what appeared to be shoal water, proceeded i • a small boat to ascertain the facts in the case,and f o'lnd the rock which was afterward designated as Btannard's Bock. A beacon was placed upon it thret: feet above water. It has a base of cut. stone nine feet in diameter and eight feet high, surmounted by a wrought-iron shaft, with a ball and cage on the top thirty-three feet above the level of the water. These are painted red that they may the more re adily attract attention from passing vessels. To the northward and westward of the beacon a rocky reef extends 430 by 320 yards, which Is covered by two feet of water. Fourteen hundred feet west of the beacon are two de. tached rocks eight feet under water. Tht soundings in close proximity to the beaco: and reef are from 3*3 to 10 fathoms. The bottom] is rock and gravel. The beacon is 49*2 miles S. B. E. H E. of Huron Island light, and W. 8. W 39^ miles from Manitou light. Several vessels have been lost on Lake Superior ofv which no trace has ever been learned, and it is suppose! they were dashed to pi eces on this dangerou reef. The Legislatures of Michigan and of othe States last winter passed joint resolutions ask-|i the sta: ing Congress for an appropriation to Duild a lighthouse on this rock, in response to which Congress appropriated $50,000 for that purpose, and government employes are now at work at Huron Bay, constructing a crib 96 feet square which is ballasted with 300 tons of stone, and will be towed to the rock and used as a coffer dam while laying the foundation, which is to be 03 heavy stone laid in cement. Applications for keeper of this light-house should bo made to the proper authorities at once, as this location (forty nine miles from the nearest landing place) is aj most desirable place to live, and is the most celebrated fishing grounds on the lakes. The legislative party were only two hours in catching half a ton, and they were mostly amateurs in the busi- ess. Mrs. Dr. Morrison, of Wayne, caught a fish weighing twenty pounds' withont leaving the barge, and Mrs. Senator Perrin only held a line a few minutes before she landed a fine trout. The committee who had the iishing excursion in charge were so well pleased with Mrs. Morrison's success, that they presented her the! line and hook with which she caught the fish. I The other ladies who braved the dangers of navi- I (ration in small boats to engage in fishing were 8 Mrs. Campean, of Detroit; Mrs. Shipman, of Cold- 8 water; Mrs. Stebbins. of .Lansing; Mrs. A. D. Hall, I of Tecumseh; Mrs. Tennant. of Saginaw, Mrs. I Donavan, of Marquette, and Miss Norton, of Howell. Stsamkb K. N: Kice, 1868, Capt. Wm. McKay. A TIDAL WAVE, «t_^ And the Rumpus It Create:! in the Harbor. The harbor was the scene yesterday afternoon of a strange phenomenon, being nothing less than a tidal wave. Often before the water in the river has risen suddenly, but the %ise has never before been so marked as yesterday nor the decline so sudden. At about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, without the least warning or indication, a heavy swell suddenly raisec ¦e of water fully two feet as far uf the river as Wells street, and extended into both branches, the rise being perceptible even at Bridgeport, though, of course, the stage was not increased to the same extent bo far up the harbor. At the mouth of the river the water must have risen nearly three feet, as the Peshtigo docks were covered. And just as suddenly as it came the wave receded, creating an out current of great violence and velocity. Many vessels towing about the harbor had t> be hurriedly moored to the docks, and there weri many narrow escapes from serious damage. | Several craft broke away from the tugs, an waltzed about for a time at will, and some cases collisions were the suit. The large schooner Ellen Spry grain loaded, in tow of three tugs was caught in the draw of State street bridge by the tremendous current. She snapped both lines? in a twinkling, and for a few moments went drift-ine. wholly unmanageable, with it. The schooner Alice M. Beers was unfortunate enough to h " th» neighborhood, and into her the monster Spiry went in a very spry manner, carrying away her headgear and crushing in severa stanchions and tearing away the rail, etc., on hei port bow. Every one who witnessed the smash looked for the total wrecking of the Beers aud LAKE FREIGHTS. PLEASANT TIMES ON THE CHINA, A Short Account of a Trip Down the Lakes. To the Editor of the Buffalo ilxpresl.l Seventy-live excursionists arrived yesterday morning via the China, of tho Anchor Line, from Chicago and vicinity. The weather during the entire trip was exceedingly delightful, and those on board enjoyed themselves thoroughly. A quartet club was organized, which furnished singing during the trip. At Fort Mackinac the elub sung a song composed by a gentleman on board from Washington, D. C, which he dedicated to Captain Christy, of the China, the words being a NEW VEBSION 01" "HOLD THE FOBT." Captain Christy's our commander I'rQm Chicago here, He's the Dest man on the waters-Cheer, my comrades, cheer. Chorus—Hold the fort, the China's coming See the signal still, Wave the answer to Chicago, Do so with a will. What a time we all are having, Ne'er snail we forget; Gayest boys and girls together That perchance e'er met. Here in Mackinac we're lying. Bee the ladies dear, With our colors all allying, ¦ Cheer, my comrades, cheer. Farewell friends who are now departing To Fort Mackinac's shore; May prosperity reign with you Now and evermore. The natives assembled on the dock, and those leaving the boat at the Fort answered with three cheers as the propeller steamed out. At Port Huion several of the excursionists left for other points. Upon the arrival of the China at Erie a vote of thanks was returned to Captain Christy and Ben F. Wood, the steward of the vessel, for tbeirkinci and gentlemanly conduct during the trip. The excursion will long be remembered by those on board as one of the most enjoyable ever experienced by them. Among those who participated were Mr. and Mrs. Haddock, Mr. and Mrs. Miller, Mr. and Mrs Cole, Mr. and Mrs. Bradshaw, Mr. and Mrs It C Givens, Mrs. N. Tucker, Mr. and Mrs. Brayley Mrs. Clancey. H. McMahon, oi Chioago; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and daughter, of Baraboo Wis ¦ Miss Sweet, of Providence, K. I.; w. Bloodgood and Miss Bloodgood. of Milwaukee; Mrs. D. C Brown and two Miss Browns, of Sandusky; Mr and Mrs. Loveday and daughter, of Geneva, 111.: Messrs. McKnight and Parker, of Waukesha; Mrs. \ ought, of Evanston; Mr. M. C. Fowler E A. Fowler. Mrs. E. A. Fowler, of Boston: Sir. and' Mrs. Williams. Miss Beil.E. P. Haudick.of Evans-ton, III.; Mrs. Butler, of Sandusky; the Bev. Dr. Stocking, of West Chicago: Miss Strawn, of Detroit; Mrs. Dr. South wick and daughter; Sir. and Mrs. Service, Mrs. Cline, Miss flattie Boot, of Buffalo. _______ One of Them, Knocked Overboard and Drowned. Saturday afternoon, about 3 o'clock, as the tteambarge T. W. Snook was abreast of the Canada Southern wharf, at Maiden, and steaming up the river, a deck hand named Frederick Brandon, who was on the forward deck, was struck by the sail as it shifted, and knocked overboard. The engine of the Snook was immediately reversed, and a life-preserver was thrown Brandon, ¦who swam to within five feet of the float, when he suddenly threw up his arms and sunk. Brandon, ¦who was about 18 years of age, shipped on the Snook at this port Aug. 4. Previous to that time j he had been engaged in assisting the reporters in securing the passages of vessels at this port for the Free Press. He was a bright, good-natured lad, ready and willing to work at ail times, and is highly praised by his late companions and the captain of the Snook, who greatly regrets his loss. His relatives, who reside in England, have been written to, and every effort will bo made to recover the body.— Detroit Free Press. Detroit. Augnst 27—C. W Norton reports the following engagements: Schooner Rival, wheat, Detroit to Kingeton, at 5c; schooner HlppogrifT, wood. Traverse Bay to Chicago, at $1 75 per cord; schooner Amaranth, wheat, Detroit to Buffalo, at 2c: bark Cecelia, wheat, Pigeon Bay to Kingston, at 5c, gold; schooner Knieht Templar, lumber, Alpena to Chicago, at $112^ per M; schooner Belle Eliza, lath, Alpena to Sandusky, at 30c per M; schooner E. B. Dorr, coal. Black River to Brockville, at $1 30 per ton, free in and out, gold; schooner Journeyman, wheat, Detroit to Buffalo, at2%c;bark Louisa, sand, HuttiTen dock, Lake Erie, to Detroit, at 30c, free in and out. B. Whittaker & Son ^port the prop 8cbnx>r, lumber, Harrisv)"- *? Tonawanda, at $1 75 per M. The sj-v-^wet is to carry cedar posts, Alpena '- "etroit, at $1 25 per cord, ?"%"£• £nKa»l 27,-Chartere-Schrs Lucerne John Kelderhouse, coal, Buffalo to Chici^o at 25c per ton; schr Camden, salt, to Chicago, on p t; schr Mjosotis. coal, to Mihvauke >, at 25c per ton; schr Parana, lumber. Alpena to Chicago. $1 12^4 per M, on rail; schr F L Danforth. coal, Cleveland to Chicago, at 40c per ton; stmr Fletcher and consort, iron ore, Marquette'toSCleveland, at $1 40per ton; schr T L Watson and three ethers, coa1, Sandusky to Chicago, at 40c: schrs DTD James, R Bentlev, Vanderbilt, and Danforth, coal, Cleveland to Chicago, at 40c: schr Q W Holt, coal, Black River to Milwaukee, at 40c; cement, Buffalo to Cleveland, at 4c; .1 W Porter, p i cement, Buffilo to Cleveland, at 4c; Thomas Parsons, coa], Buffalo to Chicago, at 25c; Col Hathaway, cement, Buffalo to Detroit, etc. Cleared— Props Swallow, Chicago; James Fisk, Jr, Chicago; Fountain City, Chicago, merchandise; Oneida, Chicago; Newburg, Chicago, merchandise; City of Fremont, Duluth, 1.000 bbls salt. Schrs J R Bentlev, Chicago; Montcalm, Chicago; Peshtigo. Chicago; Conneaut, Toledo; Lyman Casey, Toledo, 560 bbls salt: J W Doane, Chicago; Jessie. Ashtabula; E R Williams, Toledo; Dashing Wave, Cbicago. Chicago, August 27.—Shippers and carriers were apart. The former offered 2^@2%c. and the latter asked 3c for corn to Buffalo. Char-era were: To Buffalo props China, Starucea, Arabia, THE SUPERVISING INSPECTORSHIP. %Z£ndr^^&»™^?^J&™ ?»5S ^S^C0rn'^=h^ caped with the injury stated, and the iarger craft with slight damage to jib-boom and headgear and a hole high up on her quarter, while the tug Mosher, one of those towing, got off with the loss of her whisrlo. There was great confusion and excitement fd the time being, but the Spry was soon secured again, and the Beers was towed to Miller Brothers' shipyard. The SDry had the hole on i her quarter canvas_sed, and her headgear ar-i ranged, and left for UufTalo last night, her detention being only a few hours. The propeller Scotia, not proposing to take any chances, ran in alongside the Anchor line dock and remained until the turbulence of the water subsided. A can alboat in the South Branch, partly loaded With grain, was crushed by a passing schooner, and sprung aleak, wetting a portion of tho grain. As we have already stated, numerous craft brake away from tugs towing them, but aside from the cases we have mentioned no serious damage resulted. lif a windstorm caused the great wave it must bawe raged at the foot Of tne lake, as there was no violent wind here or in this vicinity, arriving vessels reporting nothing more than a lair breeae outside. echr Oconto, coin on p. t. To Kingston prop City of Cleveland and barge O. J, Hale, wheat, paid to be under 9c; echr Floretta, corn at Bl4c; To Port Colboroe echr D. A. WeHs, corn at 8j£c. To Collingwood ichr Jane Ralston, corn on p. t. " Capacity: Corn, 178,000 bu; wheat, 95,000 bu; oatp, 30 COO bu; rye, 16,000 bu. CARGO INSURANCE. The Kates Aiiain Advanced. At a meeting of the various insurance agents yesterday tho following cargo tariff was agreed upon, to go inlo effect to-day. The season is now so far advanced that it will probably be lived up to, or at least not cut very deep. It is to be hoped that there may be entire good faith, as it is the safest way, both for the companies and the shippers: To Sarnia.......................................$ ,50 To Jiuh'aln........................................75 To Lake Ontario ports...........................go To Ogdensburg.................................. 1.00 To Montreal..................................... XA0 Ten per cent off. Milwaukee has agreed to maintain the same tariff. ________ Afloat on Lak e Ontario Three Days Without ITood. The Brockville Recorder says: "Captain Bobert Jeffery, of the schooner Emu, reports that on Wednesday*at 4 p. m., when in mid lake, nearly opposite Cobourg, he picked up a small boat in a disabled condition, the sails having been blown to pieces. In the boat was a man who gave his name as Garrison Terry. He reports'that he left Welling on Sunday for Kingston, having on board five hall barrels of salt fish, one of which he ha'd opened and at tempted to eat. He had partaken of no food for three days, and when found was so exhauste d that he could not bring his boat alon^-sui^. He was taken on board and kindly cared for. Yesterday he was landed at Cape Vincent, and having repaired his sails, left again for Kingston. The captain reports that the man was affected with St. Vitus' dance." Gbain in Store.—Chicago elevators contain 306,831 boBhels of wheat; 1,413,463bushels of corn; 307 370 boebele of oats; 117,127 bushels of rye, and 90^)33 bushels of barley, making a grand total of 2 £34,424 bushels, against 2,176,366 bushels a week ago, and 3,227,099 bushel* at this period last year, Milwaukee warehouses are stored with 187,700 buebelB of wheat; 19,006 bushels of corn; 7,126 bushelsof oats; 14,720 bashcls of rye, and 70,799 bushels of barley. Al'obr-Holes.—A vessel captain was eff :ctiog a charter with a well-known ship-broker and alder-n an yesterday afternoon, when an elevator man walked into the oflice and said to the captain: "Don't transact any business with an alderman unless it is in black and white." The city father looked up and told the captain to keep his weather eye open whea the elevator men were around. "Yes," said tha captain. ;'I always do, and especially when the Bpout has auger-holes in it. Mv vessel was unloaded at an elevator once, and when, all the grain was out I owed the concern $50. I had not received a cent of the freight money, and didn't know what to do. I thought there was a ' nigger on the fence' somewhere and examined the elevator. I found auger-holes in the spou^., and received $500 to keep mum." The elevator n.an went off to reflect.— B\iffalo Courier, '~h he bark Summer Cloud, after being out twenty-eight days, having been detained by head winds, arrived at Queenstown on Saturday. At Chicago: The schooner Tuscola is receiving an overhauling, and the schooners Muskegon and Pccria new spars. The schooner Carrier is nearly i ready for sea again. The arrivals on Saturday au^ Suuday were the largest of the season, amoun^ng to about 215. ThescLooner f-;(- 0[ Manitowoc, left v+laagow for Quebec or rue 20th nit. with a Wtigc of coal. Tbef"l]i«o Tier MaryL. Higgie ie now a month 01;1 from the English, coast, and h?;3 net yet uoon heard from, Shp Am unuoubtedly encounter the westerly winds, and have along trip back. r~T Departure of tile Mary Elizabeth The schooner Mary Elizabeth, with her cargo; of refined petroleum, destined for Belfast, Ire land, has sailed from Quebec. The vessel and cargo, which are owned by Hamilton J. and Moses 0. Mills, of Buffalo, will be sold on arrival out by Moses, who goes on the voyage as supercargo. With good luck on the sea there are indications that the venture will prove profitable Captain James Gibney, of Buffalo, who has crossed the Atlantic in a vessel of his own, and who is a thorough seaman, has command of the lary Elizabeth. The Bay City Tribune savs: "The old propeller Dunkirk, which lias boon lying at the bottom of tho river below the bridges, has been cut iuto sections, and is to be towed away and burned. Motts & Co. were part owners, and were obliged to dispose of her in some manner. Extensive improvements are being made on Port Darlington harbor this season. Tne elevator storehouse has been thoroughly overhauled, and is ready for operations. The whart is being rebuilt and the western pier thoroughly repaired. The outlay will b» between $0,000 and $7,000. Brutal Fight Between Oswego Sailors.— The Welland Tribune of Aug. 30 says: 'William Johnson and William Murray, two Oswego sailors belongina'to the schooner Sea Gull, lying at Port. Robinson for repairs, were jailed bel ween 11 and 12 o'clock Thursday evening, the former charged with knifing the latter with intent to kill. Murray was detained as a witness. He was pretty badly hacked, having a eut in the back about three inches in length; also a more serious knife wound in the head. Johnson baa also bitten off tne top of one of his fingers, a portion of his ear. and a piece of his lip. When we saw Murray he had a steel needle sticking through his lip, holding the parts together, and was awaiting the appearance oi the jail surgeon to dress his wounds more efficiently, Murray told us tnat he and Johnson had been drinking, and the latter had used up two butcher knives, taken from the vessel's kitchen, on his (Murray's) person. From his appearance we sliould Judge that he had been helplessly drunk, and Johnson had knived and chawed him to his heart's content. They were taken back to Port Kobinsonfor a preliminary examination before Magistrate McGoppen, when Johnson was committed for trial." FoiKD at Labt.—The remains found on th beach near Mann's Pier, Sheboygan, have been identified by a memorandum book found upon his pereon to he those of David Meyer, a man about t twenty-five years of age, who was drowned by falling from the maBthead of the scnooner Sea Gem, lying at anchor in the bay, on the 1st of May, 1873. _____________________ Notick to Mariners.—Notice has been received from ihe Government of the Dominion of Canada that a lighthouse, ereeled " upon the summit of Battle Island. Lake Superior, to guide vessels to the eastern entrance to Nepigon Bay, has been put in operation." Latitude 48 dee. 45 min. 27 sec. north; longitude, 87deg. 46 min. 13 sec. wezt. " The light is a revolving catoptric one, showing alternate red and white, and attaining its greatest brilliancy every one and a half minutes. It is elevated 105 feet above water mark, and m clear weather should be- Been 16 miles. The tower Is a sqoare wooden building, 30 feet high from base of stracture to vane of lantern, and is painted white." Tt.s XewIIivbh BriAjnra.- \ model of the cow steamer to be built this winter for the river ronte has been placed in the cabin of the steamer Ruby. If she cannot show her stern to any boat npon these waters, then a top cannot spin or a pigeon fly._______________ A Chance op Cattains,—A day or two since, while the propeller Cleveland was at Cleveland, Capt. Cramer was dismissed, and Mr. A. Tracy, formerly mate of the propeller Milwaukee, was appointed to succeed in the command. ""The Drowning Case.-We have received additional information of the drowning ot Gals" her, of the schooner Brooklyn, at Port Dal-¦iousie. He was living the boom, when the chains carted, aud falling into the canal he lost his life. Sis body was recovered the next morning, it wa« not thought necessary to hold an inquest.— British Whig.Slst ult. The Propeller PsEni.Ess.-During the excitement fohowme the late disaster to this Propeller Se deck banns became nnmanaseable, and the Perraasive pistol was called into execution by the officers and passengers. The deck-hands were muttnousbecauBC they were not fnrmsbed with life preservers when the vessel was in danger A nasrasCTOiithe Peerless stated that the situation vvas very precarious at one time, but the vessel rode the he«y sea well until tne propeller Scotia came to her aid. Capt, Holland, of the latter craft, ieTo receive .handsome present from the Peerless passeiiEers for his kind and manly conduct on the "it will require some Ave or six_d.y to ?epaS01be injury"to'the Peerless, one trip by this delay. She will lose An Unfortunate Venttbe.—The late trip of the schooner Colombia across the Atlantic proved to be an unprofitable one. She was idle all winter, and the tquaring of accounts, now that she is home again, shows a deficiency of at least $1,503. She is now in the Marshals hands. Who tho New Man Is. Joseph Cook, who succeeds Captain P. J. Ralph-is Supervising Inspector of Steamboats for this listrict, is a resident of Detroit. He is a practical naciiinist and steam engineer, and since ho loft ais position as engineer of tho May Queen has seen resident engineer in Detroit for the Detroit ind Cleveland Line of steamers, looking after ill the machinery and boilers of the line, Ie is very well spoken of, and those who mow him say he will make an excellent super-'ising inspector. Wo understand, however, that ie ov.-ns stock in the line of steamers, and if this s the case, objection will be raised to his occupying the po sition. Ipecial Telegram co Trie Inter Ocean. DETEOiT.'Mieh.. Sept. 27.—The announcement hat Josepn Cook had been appointed Supervis-ng Inspector of the Eighth District created no lurorise nere. The retiring of Balph has been laily expected by knowing ones, ttie late reports if Secret Servioo Detective Spaulding having ihown that Ralph had given his notes in payment or certain steamboat stock held in his son's and ion-in-laws' names. Informed of the remit ot the inspection, Kalph on the l»th Inst.. tendered his resignation fvhich was accepted yesterday, as already announced by The Ixteb Ocean. Baloh was appointed April 4:. 1870, having previously held the position oi inspoctor of bills at this port from I soil to 1888. His successor. Joseph Cook, was born in Detroit in 1822, and began learning tho shipbuilding trade at this port when 15 years ot age. and in 1840 entered Benjamin Kinney's foundry to learn tho machinist trade. He worked there for threo years,and then entered Hendricks' foundry, whore he remained two years, being at that time considered one of the best mechanics in Detroit. His steamboating days began in 1840, when he went aboard the steamer tioiiab as second engineer. Tae following year he served as first engineer on the propeller Manhattan, but during 1848 and 1849 was engaged on land, being employed by Hartley & Kellogg, afterward Kellogg, in the building ot steamboat engines. In 1850 he fitt6d out and served for two years as first engineer of thte steamer Belle, which plied between Buffalo an d Cleveland. In 1852 and 180;i he acted in the same capacity on the steamer Porest City, follow log which he took charge of the engine of the steamer May Queen, of the Detroit and Cleveland lino, with which line he remained tor fourteen years, during which time he was on the steamers May Queen, City of Cleveland, aud It. N. Bice, in the order named. In Biarch, 186b. he was appointed Inspector of Hulls at this port, which position he-has held up to the present lime, giving satisfaction to all concerned. Mr. Cook, is orninently fitted to fill his new position, being a practical shipbuilder and mechanic, and his promotion is pronounced by vessel men at this port to be well merited. No changes in the assistants will be made inside of two weeks, as Mr. Cook's bonds have yat to be filed and accepted, and till tl en no change can be made to fill the vacancy caused by his promotion. There are several candidates, but tho successful one is as yet unknown. _ ___^ rio.t Comeatable, On Saturday last the Hon. George Barker, Judge of the Supreme Court of New York, rendered a decision in the ease of the Union SteamDoat Company against the city of Buffalo, to recover tho amount of tax alleged to be illegally levied on its personal property. Tiie questional issue hinged upon the construction of certain statutes. Judge Barker decided in effect that the company's personal property was wholly exempt from taxation in the city of Buffalo; that for the purpose of tax'a tion ttie city had not, nor had any of its subordinate officers, jurisdiction over the confpany: and that all the proceedings Instituted and carried forward for the purpose ol imposing . the tax in question, were illegal and void. He further decides that the money pain by the company to relieve its property from illegal seizure under the Comptroller's warrant, was extorted from it, and it was not in any sense voluntarily paid. And the Judge, in conclusion, decides that the company is entitled to judgment for the amount of tax paid and collected, with interest thereon, and the costs of the court. George B. Hibbard, Esq.. acted as counsel for the company, and City Attorney Greene for the city. Sailor Drowned. Special Telegram to The Inter Ocean.l Pobt Colborne. Ont.. Sept. '25.—A man named Andrew Hanscom. belonging to the schooner Mongaugon, was drowned of Port Dalhousie Sunday morning while raising the anchor. He ¦was struck by this capstan bar, and fell overboard. A plank wais thrown him, and every effort made by the captain and crew to savo'him, but to no avail. Before a boat could reach him he sank. ....... '" i ii —ll' if mini i Farther of the Avon. The Buffalo Gomraereial says: The flue new .propeller Avon, built at the Union Dry Dock, was successtully launched yesterday afternoon at 4:30 o'clock. She had been all ready to slide off the stocks for some days, but Captain Drake did not wisn to make a move until the water had attained the desired level. The now craft will be a valuable aequsltion to our lake fleet Her dimensions are as follows: length over all. 267 feet: keel, i!5(l f let; beam, 36 feet; hold, I lo^feet. Sue will carry 2,000 tons onli^teet of water. She will nave a compound engine. lo'wer cylinder 54 inches and the upper one 26 incin's in dianeter. with 36-ineh stroke. The boiler will be I) feet shell by 18 feet in length, and made of half-inch iron, with steel lire-box. The wheel will bell feet in diameter with 16 feet lead. The Avon will be ready for business by the 1st of October." She I.eaves on Wednesday Evening? for Detroit. Messrs. Gay & Van Norman announce that their excursion steamer, the John Sherman, will bid adieu to Chicago on Wednesday evening. The parties are satisfied that the laKe excursion business is over for this season. They say that their intention is to have a boat next season which can carry 1,000 persons with safety and comfort, as tho Sherman has her 000 or 700. | Excursions will be made Monday (to-day); Tuesday and Wednesday, and Wednosday evening the Sherman starts for Detroit, stopping on the way at Evanston, Racine, Milwaukee, Mackinaw. Duncan City, Port Huron, and Marine City. The Sherman has done well in Chicago, and tho new boat, next season, will do even better. Our people havo learned that Messrs. Gay & Van Norman know how to carry on an excursion business and that they put their knowledge into practice, and now have eontidenee in them. To the Sherman we sajv bon voyage.