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A FEW HISTORICAL FACTS A but, as a matter of fact, two steamers were built on Luke Ontario in 1816. These were the Canadian steamer "Frontenac" and the American steamer "Ontario." But these boats were not looked upon as the first Great Lakes steamers because their operations were confined to Luke Ontario. The "Walk-in-the-Water" measured 338 tons. The owners of this great steamboat thought none of the lake men would be capable of handling her and brought a master from the North river. This master promptly resigned bis position after encountering one of Lake Erie's vicious sou'westers. A lake sailor was then placed in command. The "Walk-in-the-Water" was driven ashore in a gale on Lake Eric in 1821. Her engines were saved and placed into the steamer "Superior" in 1822. THE GREAT LAKES Total area of water surface over 90,000 square miles. Over 5,000 miles of coast. Combined area of Great Lakes exceeds the area of England, Wales and Scotland. Lighted 200 American lighthouses. Lighted 100 Canadian lighthouses. Lighted 100 pairs of American ranges. Lighted 30 pairs of Canadian ranges. Lighted 65 American gas buoys. Lighted 8 Canadian gas buoys. Lighted 12 American light ships. Lighted scores of float lights and beacons. The United States lighthouse board places in position at the opening of navigation each spring 600 spar buoys and 60 can buoys and nun buoys. There are 85 American fog signal stations on the lakes. There are 18 Canadian fog signal stations on the lakes. The United States Weather Bureau displays storm signal.; at 96 places on the Great Lakes. The Canadians display storm signals at 31 places. There are 60 American life saving stations. There are 9 Canadian life saving stations. Total length of the Great Lakes system--from the mouth of e St. Lawrence river to Duluth -2,384 miles. THE CANALS--Continued From the cast end of Lake Ontario to the west end of Lake Superior 1,150 miles. From the east end of Lake Ontario to Chicago--1,050 miles. Quebec to Duluth--1,560 miles: Quebec to Chicago--1,465 miles; Montreal to Duluth--1,400 miles; Montreal to Chicago-- 1,305 miles; Buffalo to Duluth--1)80 miles; Buffalo to Chicago-- 890 miles. LAKE SUPERIOR Largest expanse of fresh water in the world. The water of Lake Superior is chemically pure. Area 31,800 square miles; 1,500 miles coast. Greatest length, 350 miles; greatest breadth. 160 miles; greatest depth, 1,008 feet; 600 feet above the sea; about 21 feet above Lake Huron. Lighted by 56 lighthouses; has 22 fog signal stations. Has 8 life saving stations; 22 storm signal stations. LAKE HURON Area 23,200 square miles; 800 miles of coast; greatest length, 220 miles; greatest breadth, 100 miles; greatest depth, 750 feet; 580 feet above the sea; 0 feet above Lake Krie; lighted by 35 lighthouses; has 21 fog signal stations; 11 life saving stations; 32 storm signal stations. LAKE MICHIGAN Area 22,400 square miles; 1,200 miles of coast; greatest length, 310 miles: greatest breadth, 118 miles; greatest depth, 870 feet; 580 feet above the sea; 326 feet above Lake Ontario; lighted by 45 lighthouses; has 35 fog signal stations; 32 life saving stations; 30 storm signal stations. LAKE ERIE Area t*,!i32 square miles; 650 miles of coast; greatest length, 240 miles; greatest breadth, 57 miles; greatest depth, 210 feet; 572 feet above the sea; 326 feet above Lake Ontario; lighted by 45 lighthouses; has 12 fog signal statious; 9 life saving stations 21 storm signal stations.