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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 itm$ lof Mf tosW«irife< No. 200 IN ASSEMBLY, lAE. 8, 1857. '^»»» / TESTIMONY ' Keported by Mr \yakeman from the committee on commerce and navigation in relation to the inter- national bridge. State of New- York, ) CityofJBuJalo, l^^' Statement of Capt. Sqaires, thirty-two years engaged in navi- gating the lakes, the last three years engaged in running from Fort Erie to Buffalo harbor. Abiram H. Squires being duly sworn deposes and Says • I re- side in that part of the city of Buffalo formerly known as Black Rock. I have boen acquainted with the navigation of the lakes for thirty-two years, during that period I have acted in the capa^ city of sailor, mate and captain of sail and steam vessels, running between Buffalo and Chicago and the intermediate ports as well as Niagara river. I have often run down and up tlie river with steamers, and occasionally with sail vessels, to Tonawanda and Chippewa. I am now, and have been for the last thrte years en- gaged in running a steam ferry boat from Waterloo and Fort Erie m Canada up the river through the rapids to Buffalo harbor I consider that I am well acquainted with the navigation of the river Its shoals currents and channels; the river is not generally used as a haibor of refuge, scarcely ever, for the last three years while I have been running the ferry (and I have been there constantly^ T h,w« nvl kuovyn a single vessel to run into the river for safety, if ^ny had come m I should have known it; there is little safety in running [Assembly, No. 200.1 i ^ yunuing 1 idi^'l^^- ''•' f 2 one hundred and se^enty-firorlw^h'"'/''?'"''' ''"'' " dra/rf -nam channel, with suitablelight, V^^'^'^ '^^^^ ^^^^e over ft« would make the navigation of the ,;».?*"''' " " ""^ ^^"ion U gerous than it is now, and in the dlv H *' "'«'"' """« »<«« da » flcen t channel for all vessels topassaTd 7' ,',' ^""^'^ *'<* « »uf. navigation of the river. No vesse, 1?"" """ ''"P'de the free Without a very strong northeasi wind ""^ ™" "? *e river Sub^^ibed and sworn before .e , ^''''^'' ""■ ''^^^«^«- this 4th day of April, 1857, I F. P. Stevens, Mayor of Buffalo. State OF New- York, ? ^^ty of Buffalo. )^ss: Statement of Canf To^, * , lake navigation. ^ '""*' ^'"^"«»''' Afteen years engaged in James Anderson hpi ^i 2'«''ted the lakes fZ afcaToTo tffT ""'. "^'•- ^ ^"^o diate ports, on sailing vessels as m./. f " "'"' *« '"terme- teen years; I have sailed uD»n7.i and master, for the last fif. well acquainted with the cL, 7° *' '''"S^" ""«: I ^ -hisdepositionrfUt ^trkLtf""' "^ '^P'^''' ^o^"'^ "ver ,n stress of weather for refuL.? TJ T''\ """ <'»'^" 'he made by D. P. Dobbins and sworf .'„ < T ^T^ "^^ statement nexed, and fully concur w?th h to "nd witi".?*^^''" ""^''^o «"- has there expressed of the effecTwWch I "P""""' *"' ''o -.e river at that point wo^^ht^^ "^Tl^^^^- tills 4th day of April, 1857, ( F. P. Stevens, JJ/ai/oro/fie^^a/o. Jj William Dirtcnn «*• *t- and state of New-y:VL:;S;nlTt' ~""'^ "^ ^™. n.ill.ar with, and sailing uplnfhe WetV f "'' *"'^ y^"^' &' nver, and having ,„„„-°_'^ , "* Western lakes and th^ Vi„l-, - -o ..«..„y reaa a paper called the "Niagara^aU^ * /Assembly ^vith the Chan- aground before > the river. een the Horse dth a draw of wide over the niy opinion it time iess dan- i afford a suf- »pede the free up the river SQUIRES. f^Hfaio, No. 200.] 3 engaged in 's : I have e interme- le Jast fif. s^ei"; I am 1 Dobbins down the statement lereto an- s that he a bridge Ration of iffalo, 5f Erie, 3ars, fa- a^alJs, Gazette Extra," and having given the subject matter therein con- tained a careful examination, do make the following statement designed to answer the various objections therein urged to bridg- ing the Niagari; River. The opponents state that the obstruction of the river by piers would very much accelerate the current and seriously embarrass the free navigation of the river. The un- dersigned would state that in his opinion the acceleration of the current would be but slight, as at this; point, viz : near the head of Bird Island pjer, the river is nearly a mile in width, and that the displacement of water by the piers would but slightly hasten the velocity of the current which at this point is between three to four miles per hour, nor would the introduction of piers se- riously obstruct the navigation, as the navigable channel at this point, is not to exceed three hundred lectin width, with an aver- age depth of about seventeen feet, while the balance of the stream is shoal water, varying from three to nine feet in depth. With this width of stream, it must be evident to any mind, that no daming of the river could occur from, the introduction of the necessary piers for the construction of the proposed bridge. Again, it is said, by those opposed, that a sail vessel entering the river with a very light breeze dead aft, when reaching the current, its velocity being greater than that of the wind, she will be be-calmed and broach to, and pass down the river broad- side to the stream. In reply the undersigned begs leave to assert that a vessel in passing down the river gathers steerage way by her own weight and by means of her rudder would have no difficulty in keeping head to, and would readily pass the draw, in the main channel, as it is apparent that the water next the piers on either side of the draws would be somewhat hastened, while in the middle of the span it would be less, this would of itself be a great safeguard and render the passing through the draw, a matter easily done. It is also asked what will be the result with a vessel sailing up the stream, having passed the bridge some twenty or thirty rods, and the wind at this point lulling, will she drop astern and go foul of the bridge % In answer the undersigned would state that assuming that the vessel has passed up the river to the point above referred to. she has sailed up a current of from seven to eight miles an hour, and would readily pass through the draw and on above it, where 4 the velocitv of th^ [-Assembly guard in any emergency. ^ ' ''"^ *^^« ^^ouJd afford a safe- Jt is aJso iirffed fTnf heav^ sea .0,1s in 'severe ;,es "^P"^^" ^'^ of this bridge « " channel wl.? ' P'^P"^^^^ site of thiAXf ' ''^'"^°"^"^s uiannel where vessels have Jaid nf ^ ^'^^ke,m the British «he navigatois of our tn^Zl ""P'''''^" "lat it is a emf S?r^ -'"' "" -Snr "-' ">e other h^ ," ^'^ar.erastheo.i,suretvef^r -'-r "^ '"« cost so much of both pub liZ , °",' ''"^^^' «"<' ''Woh h^ "ftand will soonreauire ^r K T^"'^ ""^"Ds is fast fi]]"! *; -r that an arX^l harl:r;f • '* ^ '^"^yned^^y s'onaily, and this is bevonrf » ''""■'' *° ^ •'"dged occa the'aLtrofttS: ';rr '^f '^ "^ ^^ --^s this n^er on In «ply the undersigned woup""'" ""^ ^"■^''« '" the n^ '^ouJ„,«,eti,at it is rarefy e.er"Thl*; f [Assembly *iree to four to proceed up Q the speed of fent and have •od anchorage ^ord a safe- ^is bridge a * • reef there iree-fourths the British ^ weather, tish vessels ducti- prior be a dis- f bridging >f Buifalo terror to land they se of the ^erience, stripped lu to at- of suf- lich has filling cessarj i occa- larbor, !t that JulTaJo le naa- jr, on fight. that No. 200 ] i^ a vessel passes down the river in the night but should this ever be necessary from any cause, tlie lights to be erected upon both sides of the draw in my opinion would be of great service, and a help instead ot a detriment, in affording to the pilot or master of such vessel a suitable guide to enable him to keep his vessel in the channel of the river. The undersigned would here state that 1 IS a very small share of the navigators of our lakes that are at . all iamiliar with the channel of this river. The undersigned would state that he has heard that a project F^ nl r ''TT""^ ' '^'^ ''""'^ ^"^^^ ^ P^i^t below Fort Erie on the Canada shore to a point still further below, for the douWe purpose of a water power and of improving the navigation of the river, by ocking past the rapids. The undersigned would simply state that it would be a great benefit to all vessels 11721 ing up the river, thus being enabled to avoid the stiff ctrenf A 1 1 1 J , X WILLIAM DICKSON Acknowledged before me this 18 th ? ^^^i^- day of February, 1857, ( ^^i<>s T. UoLuiis, Commissioner of Deeds. Statement of Capt. John N. Gardner, seventeen years expe rience as a navigator, and engaged in the commerce of the lakes' State of New-Yokk, > City of Buffalo, ^^^'^ John N. Gardner, being duly sworn, deposes and savs •— I h.r« sailed upon the lakes for seventeen vear. in ^^.l •! ^^® mate and captain. I have been S" ^/jf^Zn faiw"'T' running from Buffalo to Chicago and the in?!, "P"" '"'J ™ssel8 well as to tlie different ports on lake onfariln'' T''' '' quently np and down the Niagara river fnd h-T"'^"''/''" ^^- with its currents, channels, si:uZ7::l'''l':Z]^^2: years I have been engaffed in thp m- ^r,^ • , "^°® .he lakes and canals.'an'dlbMh'rst'tr^^verer "^"'^ executive committee of board of lake underwriters it ° T °f the statements made and sworn to by Capt David pT^w"^ touching the effect upon the navigation of the N '"''""'' the point indicated by him, and I My concur wh^^^'^'' "' and opinions as therein set'forth and LXIIexed!' "'"'' Subscribed and sworn before me this /°™ ^^ ^^^™^- 4thday of April, 1857, ( ^•^'S^^y^^s Mayor of Buffalo. _ fAsSEAIBLr State of New- York, > City of Buffalo, \^^'- rents, ehan^els^,™ \ ,d rtr T LrT'"'.* '' "'■'' "» <"- of Capt. D. P. Dobbins, which he h«, ! *"'' *' ^""^a™'^ hereto annexed in reference to th„^^ T"" '" '" ""^ "ffidavit the Niagara river of bu'^R a bl,?f,r:i "'* ""'g"""" «f line indicated by him, and I f^iv .f ' ""* ?''"*^'' ^'""'•^ <>" the has given on that subjeT ^ " '" "" ""« ^'^tement, he Subscribed and sworn to before me this l^^' ^' ^'^^^^^^■ 4th day of April, 1857, i F- P. Stevens, Mayor cf Buffalo. ^^ Affidavit of Capt. P. P. Bi„ing,. .,,„,, ^,„, ^ „^^_.^^^^^ ^^ State op New-Tokk, ) O-'y 0/ Btt^-a^, j ss.: . . havrbrn\'";eSof'tl"!i.ttf B^H' f^"^ ""<* ^^'^-^ during the seasons of navLatlL f ^^'° f" '"'^'"y J'^^i's Past ; .hat period, I acted as m ZnTcal^f/'^f ^T'^'' ^^^^ "^ upon the lakes, running between C^, '"i ™'' ''*™ ^^'S"'' ntermediate ports; durtog fhlt perfod ?L'""' ^^'""So and the the navigation of the Niafara river I L" «'^"a'''ted with run down the Niagara river as a ni'J 7 T^^ undertaken to entering the harb4 of Buffak no 'I' ..'"f ^ '° '^"''""''"^^ to (knowing the river as well a i' do ' IT ' t" *° "«*»?' "- vere storm. About nine y^rs Mno; T "'^''* ""^ "••■ « « ««= ' government with Capt. llZlXhl "" '" *' """P'^y "^ *he river, for the purpos^ of lot.r.: the nr'^'i^ ""^ ^^^ "^"^^ and the buoys on the American" M.71 ^^T "^^ "sht house designating the sit, forlhTSon L "" ''^'"■*'' "' '^^'l as bor, which has since been moved to the T f f ""'^ ^""^ •>"- known a vessel in the nighTor in "t,ts 7tlt ' ^'^' "''"' -ed dangerous to haul o'^thtrd a^fc^ ^^ -" From my intimate acanainf«n.. „,ui, .. . , ^ * - Of the rive, I would ^d^i; ".' tt Z^^:^ l^rifSi [AssiLMBLy No. 200.] ys : — I have seJs for the lave also na- ^ith its cur- statements lis affidavit ivigation of. hore on the itements he ERELL. tvigator of says :~I iars past ; years of n vessels and the ted with taken to rence to iempt it, n a se- r of the y of the it house well as ckhar- e never rapt to n con- consi- again. aviga- s with I ss.: a fair wind and pleasant weather, without a fair wind it is unsafe to enter the river on account of the rapidity of the current and the dangerous reefs and rocks. If a bridge should be built at any point between Horse Shoe reef and Squaw Island with a sui- table draw of one hundred and seventy- five or two hundred feet wide over the main channel, with lights upon each end of the draw it would not increase the dangers or impede the navigation of the stream, or make it less useful as a place of refuge, b'lt on the contrary I believe it would add to its facilities of navigation and improve its usefulness as a place of refuge, by guiding vessels through a safe channel. r. p. BILLINGS. Subscribed and sworn before me this > 4thday of April, 1857. ) F. P. Stevens, Mayor of Buffalo. Capt. D. P. Dobbin's statement; twenty years engaged in navi- gation of the lakes, and now engaged in marine insurance. State of New- York, City of Buffalo, David P. Dobbins, being duly sworn, deposes and says : I have been acquainted with the navigation cf the lakes for the last twenty-five years, twenty of which I acted in the capacities of sailor, mate and commander of sail and steam vessels, and run from Buf- falo to Chicago and the intermediate ports,as well as to the ports on Lake Ontario. I am well acquainted with the navigation of the Niagara river from Lake Erie down ; I have never while sailing a vessel, or upon a sail vessel as seaman or mate, run down Niagara river as a place of safety in a stress of weather; I never considered it as safe a place .or refuge in bad weather as Buffalo harbor. If a bridge was built across from Bird island pier and reef to Lime Kiln flat, which is in nearly a direct line across the river from that point at the head of the rapids, with a draw of one hundred and seventy- five or two hundred feet wide over the main channel, with suit- able lights at each end, it would in no possible way impede the navigation of the river; at that point the channel is narrowest and a vessel running up or down would not vary more than one hundred feet from the centre of that channel either way, on ac- count of the depth of the water, whether the bridge is there or not. The current at this point does not exceed three miles per hour : it is ahoT' "■••'- ^ j11 "apids; tYicy commence immediately below this point, and increase in rapidity until about half a milg 8 [Assembly S a half ffliies below Bird islam pfe/arCI '' "'""" '*° ^-d the placing of a draw at the point Ldt.' . ""^ ''""'*''^"* "»* -jrovfe the navigation of the rCr in th?:^ """"^ S"'"^ ™- dunng all xreather. The Ikct tZ ^ *^ "'' "'sht time and draw with lights, would so p^'pl'''^^^^^ ™ either side of the channel now existing at that pZfi T!^ *''*' "'"'' «°d only «n up or down the river by day or Ih "'"".'^ '" °'»™ ««'^ «« than it now is. ' ^ " ™S'"' » fair or foul weather For the last tlu'ee vrar« t i,.„ u W o/«. "<^»^i.. A and a.~^^^^^^^ °/ '^'^ ; posed with suitable di^aws would f* """^""'"ed as is pro- obstrnct the navigation ofl^ttXlt Tr'l '""^^ ' « lights to be placed upon both end, of ,. ' """cr hand the 'n the bill, would in my ^i ".t afd th T' "' '^ ""P^^ed himinpilotinghiswaydowntirdii^l, , ^^""""' ""d assist is rarely if e-,er the case,) be under the """'' ' (^"^""'d he, as the river in the night ,ii:"fratt~l?'™"'^ steamboat to run down this river in fL ? ^ °™ " ''e^sel or maldng a harbor. I have heard of » "'^ ^°' '^'' P"P°» of ranai *i— ^ , ---•-. .'""eneardol a project to cn,,cf..,.._ .. -I.J ,t„Ki a puinc just below Fort Fi.i» „„ \r " " ^^'P ^rom deep water to and past the r;Y;i: TZ^r^^^l [Assembly ^erhour; from 'lere the cur- ibont two and confident that ' mMy im- ?ht time and sr side of the in and only more safe to foul weather •eiari/ of the at capacity. ^iffalo. i^fie, State ement : \ avigator of Jiave had Alabama, ave heard le Niagara Ida shore, oy knowJ- from the > and the a storm; i is pro- ipede or liand the proposed id assist H he, as 3g down essel or 'poso of a ship a shore, ' three- I No. 200.] fourths to one mile; which, when constructed will be of great service, and will render what is now a very difficult and almost unavailable navigation vastly improved by this work; having as I am informed but a single lock of about four and a half feet lift. This work when done must entirely remove all objection now urged by the opponents of this project, as the navigation in this case would not be obstructed but improved. Niagara river is not in any sense, either now or has it within my knowledge ever been, the harbor for the commerce of the lakes or used at all for that purpose at the city of Buffalo; nor is it true as is repre- sented by the opponents of this project that EuHalo harbor is a terror to the mariners upon the western lakes. Buffalo harbor is as accessible, as commodious, as easy of entrance in any and all weather as the majority of harbors on our lakes. Niagara river can never be made available as a harbor for the commerce of the city of Buffalo in my judgment, as the velocity of the current would entirely forbid the use of its waters for such a purpose. The navigation of the river, and the commerce upon its waters was not the last season or two of any great amount or impor- tance, mostly confined to wood and rafts towed up and down by steam tugs. Upon this whole subject I am of the opinion that this proposed bridge built with suitable draws would not injure materially, or prejudice the interests of parties interested in the limited navigation of the river, and that the commerce that would cross this bridge when built would vastly exceed in amount, that which would pass along the waters of the river and therefore the project should have a favorable consideration at the hands of the Legislature. Albany, April 4, 1857. c u .1 . . ^'^' PERKINS, subscribed and sworn to this 4th \ day of April 1857, before me, \ S. Wakeman, Chairman of the Standing Committee on commerce and Jfavigation. State of New- York, City of Buffalo, Afladavit of Capt. Wm. Moore, for twenty years engaged as a navigator of the lakes, and for five years engaged as an agent for the business of Marine Insurance. William Moore being duly sworn, deposes and says : I have been acquainted with the navigation of the lakes for the last twenty [Assembly, No. 200.J 2 1 ss: I ^^ [AssEMBLr years. I first went on Doard of a sailing vessel on Lake Erie as a cabin boy and continued in that capacity and that of a sailor Jor nine years. 1 then became commander of a sailing vessel and continued as sucli for five years ; during all of this period was on a sailing vessel running between Buflfalo and Chicago, and inter- mediate ports; about five years since I ceased to command a ves- sel ; since that period I have been and am now engaged in Marine Insurance on the lakes, as the agent of various Insurance compa- nies ; I have never known in my experience and observations as a seaman, the Niagara river to have been used as a harbor of refuge in stress of weather. I have never found any difficulty in getting into Euifalo harbor in all kinds of weather j I have never known a vessel in severe weather to run into the river for shel- ter ; I understand the reasons to be, that the navigation is danger- ous and obstructed with reefs and rocks, and it is not safe'to ven- ture down in fair weather without a pilot, unless the captain is himself a pilot ; I do not think that there is one captain in Mre« hundred v^ho would dare to venture down the river in bad weather I a bridge was built across the river at any point between Horse Shoe reef and the lower end of Squaw Island, with a draw one hundred and eighty or two hundred feet wide over the main chan- nel with suitable lights at each end of the draw, it would not in my opinion at all impede the navigation of the river, nor endanger the safety of vessels in any storms or weather that I have expe- rienced ; with this draw and suitable lights, I should consider it more safe to run down the river in the night, whether in a storm or fair weather, than to run down in the condition the river is now in ; it is not possible for a sailing vessel to run up the river without the aid of steam, unless with a fair wind blowing half a f If- ., , ^ , , ' WM. MOORE. subscribed and sworn before me ? this 4th day of April, 1857, \ x.F. Stevens, Mayor of Buffalo. Henry P. Smith being sworn deposes and says— that in 1854 m the latter part of tlie month of April, there was a large fleet of vessels bound down from the upper lakes. Arrived to within four or five miles of Bulfalo they approached a large mass of ice, which completely blocked up the passage to Buflfalo harbor, and the only space clear of ice was along the canal shore. Some fif- teen or twenty of said vessels ventnrpd dnnm info f^^ ir^ t--— -i ^ entrance to the mouth of the Niagara river. At about the time they arrived at this point the wind shifted to the south, and drove the AssEMBLr ke Erie as )f a sailor vessel and iod was on and inter- md a ves- in Marine ;e compa- vations as harbor of fficulty in ave never for shel- s danger- fe to ven- aptain is 1 in three weather. 3n Horse Jrav/ one lin chan- Id not in endanger re expe- Qsider it a storm river is he river ig half a lo. :n 1854, rge fleet > within 3 of ice, or, and 3me fif- Icuf tiiC ne they ove the Ko. 200.| 11 ice against the vessels, and the vessels were driven upon the reefs at the mouth of the river. One large brig called the " Chieftain" was carried by the force of the ice and current down the river, carrying away both the cables and forcing her upon Squaw Island, opposite Black Rock dam, her crew having no control over her. Under such circumstances, I believe it would have bef n utterly impossible to have guided the vessel to a draw in a brid'^e, and that her escape from total destruction had there been a bridge across the river, below this point, would have been the merest matter of chance. H. P. SMITH. Sworn before me this 7th > dayof April, 1857, ) S. Wakeaian, Chairman of the Com. of Com. and JVavigation. Henry P. Smith, being duly sworn, deposes and says : I reside in the village of Tonawanda, and County of Niagara. Am a lumber merchant, and have been engaged in the business of towing rafts from Canada West, on Lake Erie and Lake Huron, to Tona- wanda, for the last thirteen years, during which time I have owned three steamboats and one propeller, all of which were used for towing rafts from Lake Erie to Tonawanda. Have gen- erally had the superintendence of towing said rafts, composed of logs, masts, and timber, and am thoroughly acquainted with the navigation of the Niagara river. I believe it to be one of the best and safest harbors on the lakes, it being easy of access, and perfectly safe to enter in the severest gale. There has been, for the past ten years, a large number of sail vessels and steamboats engaged in the lumber and timber and stave trade between the upper lakes and Tonawanda, and I am lirmly of the opinion that a bridge, constructed across the river at any point between Tonawanda and Buffiilo, would seriously injure, if not entirely cut otf that branch of trade from the Niagara river. I am also well aware of the fact that there has been for the past several years, a large commercial business carried on at Tonawanda, which is now on the increase, and for the accommodation of which an extensive elevator was erected some eight years since and docks and warehouses built for the conveniences of trans- shipment from the river to the Erie canal. An elevator has also been erected during the past year in connection with one of the most extensive distilleries in the country, which is capable of using 150U bushels of grain daily. I believe that a bridge across the river as contemplated would bivo the direct eifeot to destroy this rapidly accumulating business, and prove highly detrimental to all parties interested in the navigation of Niagara river. [Assembly The timber trade alone at the port of Tonavvanda will not average less than from three to five hundred thousand do lar per year, and wnh the navigation of the river unobstructed, there can be no douht of its steady increase. I am well and persoT ally acquainted with Captain Orson Shepard^-have freq"^^ nl employed him to tow rafts for me from Lake Erie to Tonawanda I beieve him to be one of the very best, as he has beenTe of most successful sailors on the Western Lakes, and I have the utmost confidence in his judgment with reference to all matters Pi3rtaining to lake and river navigation. In the year 1852 I was on the steamer Great Western bound up the river fr.>m Tonawanda. At the head of the rapids the rudder chain parted and the boat drifted down the current We cast anchor as soon as we deemed it safe so to do on account of the rapidity of the current. Tlie anchor dragged upon the rock bottom for about one hundred rods when one of the flukes caught m a crevice, and such was the pressure of the current, that the anchor cable was immediately parted, leaving the boat at the mer- cy of the stream. Had there been a bridge with abutments be- low the boat, I am sure no earthly power could have saved the boat Irom utter destruction. I think it practically impossible to anchor a vessel with safety in the Niagara river, at or near the mack Rock ranids. p p g^jjj^jr Sworn and subscribed before me, ? this Gth day of April, 1857, ] S. Wakeman, Chairman of the Com. of Com. and jYavigation. John Simson being duly sworn deposes and says : I am a re sident of Tonawanaa ; have lived there for more than forty years- am well acquainted with the Niagara river from Tonawanda to Lake Erie. Have been up and down the same many times I have known vessels to sail down from Lake Erie to Tonawanda and back from Tonawanda to the lake frequently. Have seen as many as twenty-five to thirty vessels, steamers, and propeller^ dischargmg and loading at one time at Tonawanda. Have known as many <'is twenty vessels to arrive at Tonawanda in one day I believe there is no better harbor on the lake than the harbor of Tonawanda; and that a bridge constructed across the river at anv point above Tonawanda would liave the eifect to entirely cut off the commerce at this point and below. I believe tim hnei„.o. .^ the river is on the increase. I am well acquainted with Cap^tlhi Orson Shepard, have known him since 1849; believe him to be a Assembly a will not nd dollars Jted, there id person- frequent Ij ^nawanda. een one of [ have the 11 matters fn bound ipids the ent. We ccount of the rock es caught , that the the mer- Qents he- aved the Dssible U> lear the mrn. ngation. im a re- y years; anda to mes. I iwanda, ■ seen as 'pellers, 5 known day. I irbor of c at any cut off iness of >aptain to be a No. 200.] 13 most excellent mariner, "and a man of prudence and integrity. I have the utmost confidence in any statemerit he may make. JOHN SIMSON. Sworn before me this 7th day of > I April, 1857, > S. Wakeman, Chairman of the Com. of Com. and Jfavigation, I Silas S. Packard being duly sworn, deposes and says : I am a - resident of the city of Albany; by occupation superintendent of Bryant k Stratton's mercantile college. I formerly lived for more than three years in the village of Tonawanda, Erie county, New- York; removed tliere on the first of April, 1853, and remained V until the first of August, 1856; had charge for the greater por- tion of that period, of the books of the Tonawanda Commercial Co.; also published a weekly newspaper, known as the Niagara River Pilot, in both of which capacities it was a part of my duty . « to take cognizance of the commercial business of the village, and its facilities as a port. I believe it to be an acknowledged and uncontroverted fact, that there is no harbor on the whole line of lakes possessing more natural commercial advantages than the harbor of Tonawanda; the facilities for the transshipment of pro- perty from the river to the Erie canal, and from the canal to the river, are of a superior kind. From the mouth of the Tonawanda creek to the Buffalo and Niagara Falls railroad bridge, a fine har- bor is afforded for unloading timber, lumber and staves, a large and increasing business in which has been going forward for years. Messrs. Hosmer & Townsend have here a stave-dressing factory, capable of doing an immense business, which is dependent upon the free navigation of the Niagara river. Here, also, during the season; an extensive business in rafting is done, there being a lock communicating with the Eire canal. Below this point, upon the Niagara river there has JDeen erected, during the past year, a most extensive distillery for the manufacture of high- wines, with elevator attached capable of doing a large business, all of which is dependent upon the unobstructed navigation of the river. At the mouth of the creek, also, a large steam flour- ing mill has been erected within the past two years, by the Messrs. Sweeney, capable of manufacturing daily one hundred barrels of flour. This mill is also to the greatest extent depen- dent jkpon western supplies of grain, and would be injuriously affected by any obstruction to the navigation of the river. Upon the Tonawanda and Elicott creeks in the village of Tona- wanda, there are also four large steam saw-mills, all of which 14 depend for their suppli [Assembly the lake, down the Nias^ra";!^" """'" '"""' " ""'''^ '" I am well acquainted with Captain Orson Shemrrf »n^ h^v him to be not only a sailor in the broades sense „f' ^f ,''!"'^'' but a man of prudence and unimpeachable integrity I h» T' utmost conhdence in his skill and jud^mrnt as a mn'-in '" in the truth and fairness of his statemenT S S PACkIri, " Sworn before me this Cth ) PACKARD, day of April, 1857, ( S. W.KEMAN, CL of He Com. „„ Co,n. and Navigation Urial Driggs being duly sworn, deposes and says • I am a r... IS stead ly on the mcrease; I believe that a bridge constructed aero s the nver at any point between Tonawanda and Lake Ere wotUd havj the elfect to cut off the commence of tlie port ifTfr wanda,and prove a vast detriment to her citi.ensjThave been acqnamted w,th Captain Orson Sliepard since 1849/ know him to be a man of truth and veracity, and I have the utmost confidence comTert.'""""' "^ "^^ """^^ -"" "^^ e to laket rer Swcrn before me tliis 7th ) ^' ■''^ICt'^S, dayof April, 1857, { S. Wakeman, C/mirman of Committee. Orson Shepard, being duly.sworn, deposes and says • I ,m n resident of Wheatfleld, Niagara county, New-York Thave Teen a satlor by profession and occupation for thirty ye'ars, and Wo followed my oalhug upon the western lakes and riv rs durZ tht period; I have sailed as master for twenty-two years wth out eneount^rmg any serious misfortune to either life or ™v. am well acquainted with all tlie harbors on the wS laZ' and tributary streams where lake vessels usually ti^e and a ' free to say there is no harbor upon said lakes and streamsllr ng bet er security for the safety of vessels and maZrstldt 'I. -..cumotauccs ihan mat oi the Niagai-a river In th» principal channel the shallowest wafer from Lake Erk to Tof. wanda, Chippewa or Schlos^r, within three .^itomebrinkof [Assembly I ^o. 200. j 15 wed from the d, and believe of that term, ^', I have the ariner, as aJso 'ACKARD. Ration. : I am a resi- itate of New- ars past; am mda to Lake t Tonawanda hirty vessels believe that ith the lakes at this port constructed i Lake Erie JTt of Tona- ' have been now him to : confidence ke or river 3RIGGS. ee. 's : I am a have been J and have 3rs during ears with- • property; tern lakes '', and am tiis«efford- ers under f. In the i to Tona- e brink of the Great Falls is fourteen feet in depth. The straight channel at the entrance of the river is from half to three-fourths of a mile in the width. The principle channel on the east of Strawberry Lsland is from five to six hundred feet in width, which is the narrowest point between Lake Erie and Tonawanda. Upon the western side of Grand Island the narrowest point in the channel between Lake Erie and Chippewa is from six to seven hundred feet in width; have been acquainted with the navigation of the Niagara river and have navigated the same since 1829, more or less, but more particularly since 1849. It has 'oeen my business sincl- the latter period to tow vessels ap and down the river to and from Tonawanda, Chippewa and Schlosser, and, during that period, have at different times taken my small boat and sur- veyed the entire channel, its soundings and widths; have been employed by the U. S. government for three different years to place the buoys in said river according to the law for placing the same; was engaged in 1849 and 1850 with the steamer Cleve- land by the Tanawanda Commercial Company, to tow vessels to and from Tonawanda and Black Rock, to and from Lake Erie; have since towed for same company and others, with steamers Bunker Hill and Saratoga; have known as many as twenty-one sail vessels, propellers and steamers arrive at Tonawanda from Lake Erie in one day, and have towed out with those which sailed out to the lake twenty-two in one day, and as many as twelve at one tow, some of which were the largest class vessels. During the last years, a number of the largest class vessels and propellers have made regular trips from western lake ports to Tonawanda. I have frequently, during my years of service on the lakes, been on steamers at the opening of navigation that were com- pelled to go down Niagara river to discharge their freight and passengers in consequence of Buffalo harbor being blocked up with ice from one to two weeks before vessels could get into said Buffalo harbor. I have also towed vessels down the river to Tonawanda to unload, which were bound to Buffalo, and were unable to make that harbor in consequence of ice ; have known vessels and large steamers many times to come down the river in stress of weather, rather than attempt to make Buffalo harbor. I consider the Niagara river in its present conditioujihe safest and best harbor on the lakes. If a bridge should be constructed as proposed, at any point between the foot of the lake, and the head of Grand island, I coj fidently believe there would be more danger in attempting to make the river in a heavy gale, and pai-ticularly [Assembly which a lai^e nunto of V. * \ T^"'"'"^">»<' "P"" feet in width. I am coTfllnt «?f ;•' "'"' ^*-'>'««» fo^'y and /!%' course of the cuCnt ttt 'i h IhT *« ^^'"'"'y ""d shifting construction of thHriSe ir^ou d^' h*' ^ T"''"'' '" "'« -vigate and tow a .ftTA;.' :^:y dt;'« etl^ Tf ,'* *" also that a similar difficulty wonld hT^ "'^rapids. I believe the harbor of Niagara rivlr^fh be experienced, in making be constructed alplos^d Tt anvT' /^ ''''' *»'"<• " ''"^s' head of Squaw island fL'T , '*" "'" ''"^" """^ *« ered, making for the mouftrf Z ^-^'"''^ ™"" "^ -J'^^o^- would be upon the brTdge but a v^ri' '? '*""« g-'e until it elapse; not^ufficient af I biwrreffeet'Ptr n"' *""' """" parations, and make the draw In ,,1 a^ '''"^ P"' it would be utterly imDossible fn. ^ dilemma, I (hint other nanner avert thei™^ i T''*' '" ''"<''""•' " « ""v bridge TmJ r , ""pending doom of wrecking upon the the State of New-York and of th. .„^ ^ "' '"'"'ested, of a number of vessehbound fl^^ n Vf ? '^"""■>'- ^ '""'« ^nown gale, not dating to t"eirB^ff^'""l'V"" '^°"° *^ ''^« '»« canal at lon.Zl:tZt:^T'n^7.tZl^^^^ Sworn and subscribed before me / ^HEPARD. thisethdayof April, 1857, \ S. Wakeman, Chairman of the Com. n/ r.„ c«c JS''avlgation.