IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // €^. f/. 1.0 I.I II^IMII H IM IIIM i^ BM 1111122 1.6 - 6" Photographic Sdences Corporation »^'<^ ^ ^•\ iV \\ N^\ ^ '^'U ^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WE3STER,N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 '^^ CiHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut csnadien de microreproductions historiques O' Technics! and Bibliographic Notes/Notbs techniques et bibliographiques The inotitute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked betcw. L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du point de vue bibliographique. qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la mdthode normale de filmage sont indiquds ci-dessous. El D D D D D D D Coloured covers/ Couvsrture de couleur □ Covers damagod/ Couverture endommagde □ Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurde et/ou pelliculde Cover title miss:ng/ Le titre de couverture manque Coloured mapc/ Cartes ydographiques en couleur Coloured ink [i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) Coloured plates snd/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Reli6 avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La reliure serr6e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intdrieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutdes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsoue cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 filmdes. □ Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur I — T/^agos damaged/ Lyf Pages endommagdes n Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaurdes et/ou t^elticuldes □ Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages d6color6es, tachetdes ou piqudes I I Pages detached/ Q D Pages ddtachdes Showthrough/ Transparence r I Quality of print varies/ Qualitd indgale de I'impression Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du materiel supplementaire □ Only edition availpble/ Seule 6ditiun disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou irartiellnment obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont 6t6 filmdes d nouveau de fapon d obtenir la meilleure image possible. D Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppidmentaires: This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est filmd au taux de reduction indiqu6 ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X ■^"" "■~~ "^" J 17X 16X aox 24X 28X 32X The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: Library of the Public Archives of Canada L'axemplaire film6 fut reproduit grfice d la ginArositi de: La bibliothdque des Archives publiques du Canada The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. \ Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettetd de rexenipiaire film6, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the lasi page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol — ^> (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol y (meaning "END"), whichever applies. IVIaps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different redaction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and tip to bottom, as many frames as requirect. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimte sont f^mte en commenpant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont film^s en commen9ant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la derniire page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernlAre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ► signifie "A SUIVRE", le symboie V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches,, tableaux, etc., pauvent Atre filmfo d des faux de r6ductic n diffirents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul cliche, 11 est f ilm6 A partir de I'angle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m^thode. 1 2 3 1 6 32X oooooooonooooooooooooooooo 'FllI^ m CONKEXIOIS" WITH a Harbour at Eimouski. O o c> c o o o o o o o o o Rirriouski : ( ir?'^ PaiNTixu Office op Lu, 1 «i>. da Gof/e. m iy'n 1869. ^OOOOOOOOOOOOOUUOOOOOOOOOOOi ( i TlIK IN CONNEXIOl^ WITH a Harbour at Rimouski. Bimouski : Feinting Oppice op La Voix du Golfe. 1869. A FEW OBSERYATIONS ON The best localUy for a Harbour in the lower parts of iht River S. Laiorence in connexion idth the Intercolonial liailway. To choose a suitable Harbour in the lower part of the St. Lawrence in connexion with the Intercolonial Krtilway, is a question of much interest to the British American Provinces, but specially to the commercial community; it is therefore hoped that some remarks on the subject will be deemed of some moment to the rea- der. The question of a Harbour ot Refuge has long been under consideration by Pilots and mariners in gene- ral, and particularly by the parties interested in the prosperity of the several localities claiming a right to possess that national and long contemplated improve- ment. In 185C a Pamphlet on the subject was published in favour of Blmouski or St. Barnabe Harbour, and ap- proved of by sixteen Pilots, f the best acquainted with t Joseph Pouliot, Joseph Lavoie, Henri Lavoie, Octave Lavoie, Ohs. Chouinard. pere. Chafl. Chouinard, fils. Louis M. Lavoie, Amable St. Laurent, Eustache Dolron, Isidore Rioux, Pierre Proux, p6re. P61ix Chouinard, I'ierre Drapeau, Anijehiie C6t6, Uilaire Jouvin, Benjamin Plneau, John Lavoie, Ptire. Silvestre 06t6, Peter Ross, Cyprien Raimond, Rt^gule Banville, John Lavoie, Charles Ruest, Pierre Proux, Ills. John Sf. Pierre, Charles Furliu. the navigation of this part of tho St. Lawrence, and by masters of vessels of long experience ; their opinions founded upon true knowledge and practical expe- rience must have a greater weight than the recommen- dation of men unacquainted with tho navigation of this part of the country, and more or less influenced by- wrong or interrested informations, ©r by the first sight of a sheet of water surrounded with high and rugged mountains. In 185. ..a Committee of tho House of Assembly coj- lected informations on the same subject, which shows tha^ even before the construction of the " Intercolonial Railway" was decided, and Major Robinson's line adopted, the question of choosing the most suitable place for a harbour oi refuge was considered of no mean importance. But now it becomes of a much higher interest to place the question before the public as, not merely a harbour of refuge for the navigation of the coast, but a harbour in connexion with the Intercolonial Railway, well adapted to all the wants of intercontinental navi- gation, is in contemplation. Three different places, old Bic harbour, Rimouski harbour, and Father Point, are tinder consideration ; but before any one of those pla- ces be fit for such a harbour as is needed, large and expensive wharves will have to be constructed. In lay- ing out, in works of that kind, heavy suras of money, is it not to be expected that the country will require to be well informed where such wharves or break-wa- ters will better accomodate and protect from danger, (especially at a late season in the fall, and early in the spring, ) vessels of all sizes, and allow sailing vessels to enter or leave the Harbour with any wind : the contemplated improvement, if properly located, being 5 iu connection with the Intercolonial Kuliway, and being intended to open to Canadian and WcHteni trade a Harbonr in British waters nearer than Portland or Boston, and a month or more later in the fall tinin tho port of Qoobcc, and free from ice j. )nt the beginning of March and sometimes nearly all winter. The only object of tho present remarks is to show the comparative advantages and disadvantages of old Bic and Rimouski as a more or less convenient locality for a Harbour of refuge in the general interest of the country. BIC. The St. Lawrence Pilot, comprising sailing direc- tions for tho gulf and river by Rear- Admiral H. W. Bayfield R. N Surveyor, contains tho following des- cription of old Bic Harbour : (*) * Oapt. Lambly who was employed three years as comman- der of the gouvernement vessel stationed off Father Point mentions Old Bio in nearly tho same terms as Oapt. Bayfield . " Old Bio is a very good place for small vessels to shelter from Westerli/ winds. *' " Anchors in three fathoms at low water, "—p. 10. ^ '• The Bay Ha 1 ha ! is of no use to large vessels, "—p. II •• To beat from Father Point to Bio Island, ships may make as free with the South shore by the lead as they please, obser- ving the nearer they are to the shore, the stronger the flood tide, they may safely stand to 6, 7 or 8 fathoms. " The distance from the East end of the reef to old Bic bar- hour is one mile ; between them is a Bay of no use to ship- ping, being all foul ground and shoal water. " " The East part of the reef of the Cap i I'Orignal is cove- red at high water, and is all rooks and dry at low water. " " If strangers, the safest way is to haul t» tfat northward. " Old Ric ITarbonr, distant 7J miles to thn westward of Buriiaby Island, dries at low water and has many Hocks in it : two ronnd and high rocky islets called iho Bicoquep, will be aeon extending to the westward of its point and diminishing the breadth of the entramo to two thirds of a mile. ** Midway between these rocky islets and the west point of the harbour, small vessels may anchor in old Bic road in three fathoms at low water." This west point of Old Bic Harbour, called Caj^e enragSf in consequence of its being surrounded, even out into deep water, by a great quantity of large boulders or broken rocks, is a very dangerous place for vessels to approach. As there is only 18 ft. of water even in the very deepest part of the entrance, which depth is not sufficient for Steam-ships or large vesseli, and as the bottom rises as you go further in, a wh^rf must be built extending to the open sea in order to make a new barbour, not in old Bic Harbour, as ought to bo reasonably expected, but outside of its entrance. The only convenient place is from the western " Blcoque " extending K. W. which appears to be the most suitable direction." " Indeed all the way from the Island of Bicquottto fhe East- ward of the S. E. reefof Bio,the ground is very uneven, having 10, 12, and in some places 5 fathoms and all foal ground : so that ships being near Bio Island and not acquainted, and thiok weather, should stand off.— p. 14. " If to the Eastward of Barnaby Island and fine weather, they may anchor in 7 or 8 fathoms and may do the same all the way to Bic. " ( Sailing Directions for the River St. Lawrence from Cape Chatt to the Island ofBic,hyCapt.Joh%Lamhly. Quebec. 1808.) But, C8 it is stated in the pamphlet heretofore nicn- tionerl, at a distance of 1950 ft : from tlie Biccque the- re are only 18 ft : of water at low epriDg tideB, and a further extension of 1000 ft: of the wharf would bo necessary to allow largo vessels a shelter, and at tho outer end a cross extension to the S. VV. to protect ves- •els from a heavy sea rolling in along tho wharf du- ring N. W. winds. As the Bicoquo however is about I ofamilo from the main land opposite, a second wharf of about that length ( f mile ) would bo requi- red to communicate with the Harbour wharf. If, with these or other improvements, a safe, spa- cious, deep and convenient Harbour for Steam-ships and flailing vessels of all Rizes, with an entrance by which ships could sail in and out with any wind and without danger, (such a Harbour as will hereafter be indispensably required in the lower part of the St. Lawrence,) could be constructed at old Bis with better advantages than anywhere else, old Bic should be adopted without any hesitation. But old or new Bic could nevei afford any of the above advantages. With the contemplated wharf no sailing vessel will be able to enter this Harbour with S. W., 8., S. E. or E. wind. Ve&sek jound to this Harbour will have then to find shelter somewhere else, till the wind changes and blows from a proper quarter, and if in a gale of easterly wind a vessel had lost her anchors, would she not be exposed to certain destruction ? Without even a wharf to close up a part of the entrance, a vessel of middle size could not leave this Harbour with N. W., N., or N., E. wind. 8 A PiViall brigantine drr.wii.g 8 ft. of water which wintered in Bic a few years ago, being ready to sail with fair wiud, had to wail over a week for a chance of the wind to get out of tlia Harbour. "Who W'Hild like to enter his vessel in a place from where he conld not sail wher he was ready and had fair wiud? Would trade and navigation, depeudingfor success, on speed, accept of such conditions? If the above mentioned wharf was built outside of the Eicoque, the only place where a large vessel could btand would be in the small Harbour iHcluded between the outer part of the Wharf and Cajpe enrag6, protected only by the wharf from the full power of N. E., N. and N. W. winds, but too limited tor such a vessel to ride on her anchor with surety, as the west side of this narrow passage is a bold and dangerous shore with large broken rocks rising from the bottom even out in deep water, and any large vessel leaving the Har- bour wich any wind but S. or S. E. would be exposed to etrike upon these rocks before she could get clear of the end of the wharf ; and, should she get safely out of the Harbour, right in her way, and much less than a mile distance, is a reef covered at half tide. "When Oapt : Bayiield, several year? after he had surveyed this part of the St. Lawrence, was asked by interested parties a certificate in favor of Bic, he never would recommend this Harbour as fit for large vessels, the question bei'jg then in contamplation : bnt it takes over four pages of his sailing dirtctions to give a description of the dangerous reefs, &c. with which the Bic Island is surrounded and others in its roadway : find he concludes by saying that he does not advise vesseli without a i*ilot to pass beetwer ^ Bic Island and the 9 main land in foggy weather, r.nlees (Ley wore well ac- quainted with the place, and he says that ihcy should examine thediiectiona and Mjips, as ho considers this place difficult and dcvgcrons ; and it is well known that all the Captains oi the Atlantic Steamers are unwill- ing to risk their ships in this dangerous passage. However, if Bic was adopted for the Harbour in con- nection with Intercolonial Eailway, steamers should have to go through this difficult and dangerous place on their way to the Harbour, and other vessels should huve to sail around Bic Island, and in this passage, where they would have oiien to remain several days waiting for a fair wind to enter Harbour, and when these ships would arrive from Sea. in foggy weather or at night and without a Pilot, they would have no other place to anchor. The improved Bic Harbour would bo covered with ice early in the fall and later in the spring than any- other below Quebec, as the necessary vdiarves would break off the sea and partly close up the entrance, so as to make a sort of a lake with but a narrow outlet. . Now, the main object in making a good Harbour in this part of the country being to lengthen the season of navigation by tho St. Lawrence, this point requires to be notice! and examined with the greatest caro and will have a great weight in tho selection of a proper locality. RIMOUSKI. According to Capt. Bayfield, "the eastern point of Barnaby Island is three miles W. by N. from Father Point, and between them is the anchorage or road of Himouski, where vessels ride throughout the summer to take in cargoes of lumber." 10 ** They lie moored in 4 or 5 fathoms at low water with excellent holding ground, and sheltered from "W". hy N. round by South to E. K. E.— The best sheltered berth is with the eastern point of Barnaby Island bearing W. by N. Riraouski church, S. S. W. J "W. and Father Point E. !N". E. in 4 fathoms at low water spring tides over mud bottom. " Small vessels can anchor farther to the westward in 3 fathoms at low water v;ith the east end of the rocks of the eastern point of Barnaby Island bearing N". W. by W. and distant one quarter of a mile. " Capt. Bayfield plainly shows that Eimouski or Barnaby Harbour being well sheltered, extensive, deep, with good bottom, is exactly the place required for a connexion with the Intercolonial Railway and the sea in Ihe lower part of the St. Lawrence ; and it may be added that not an equal place, after necessary improvements, could be found in this part of the country. L. J. D'Auteuil, Esq., P. L. S. gives the following certificate after actual measurement, made on the 18th november last : " I went to a certain place, mentioned by Capt. Bayfield in his survey of the river St. Law- rence in 1834, as being very suitable to anchor large vessel. This place is situated about 2 miles West ot Eather Point, and f of a mile East of Barnaby Island. " I found there, by actual measurement, 22 ft : of water at the lowest tides, and from that point the depth in- creases rapidly towards the N, ^. E., but towards the S. S. "W. and W. the bottom rises 6 iuches every 100 ft : and is all clay. " I found that the distance Ziyf. W. from the above mentioned place to Rimouski wharf is 3313 ft : and bout I of a mile to tho Point called Fouliot Fmt,'[ 11 ter with n W.by heltered '' Island fV. JW. >w water tward in be rocks gK. W. uski or ^e, deep, ired for and the d it may Bcessary of the )llowing the 18th 3ntioned 3t. Law- anchor 2 miles Barnaby )f water epth in. irds the ery 100 e above ft : and : FmW* If a wharf of 1000 Or 1500 ft : lying N. N. E. wat built on the-N. W. side of this Harbour, and a short break water of about 500 ft : lying N. W. on the N. E. side, with a passage between both, ships of all sizes drawing 22 ft : (1) could enter and lie with safety ^and also ride throughout the whole season as well as du- ring the heaviest spring or fall gales, sheltered from every point of the compass, which is plainly under- stood by a glance at Bayfield's Map or at the subjoined sketch, where can be perceived the main land on one side, Pouliot's and Father Point on another side, Eimouski wharf and Barnaby Island on the third side, and between the Harbour and the open sea, tho intended wharf and breakwater. And if a ship had lost her anchors, she could easily sail into the Harbour with any wind, and moor at some of tho wharves, and if by mishap she missed her mooring at the wharves, she could run ashore without danger, the bottom being soft and clayey. In dark nights, ships coming from the East would have in sight the Light at Father Point and another small light that ought to be fixed on the outer end of the wharf, which might lead them mto the Harbour even without a Pilot ; and if they were coming from the west, they would have Biquete Light and tho one on the wharf. Between the main land, Barnaby Island and tne in- tended wharves, would be found another safe and ex- tensive Harbour for vessels drawing less than 23 ft : of water, and the most convenient place for any vessel to (1) Shoald a greater depth be required, by placing thg Wharves a little farther on to the N. E. we might obtaia SO ft, or more. '! 12 printer as the bottom is soft and the water increases in depth gradually from the shore to the outer wharves. The actual Himouski wharf might be made to servo as a roadway from the shore to the Harbour. Rimonaki wharf, though lying in a bay and inside ofBarnaby Island, is clear from ice till the month of January and sometimes later. When the Persia cama to Bic on the 26th Dec, remained several days, lauded there with difficulty only apart of the troops on board, and had to take the rest .back to Halifax ; it is a well known fact that when she passed Rimouski wharf, the tide being then up, she might have moored at the wharf and laid there for several hours, during which all the troops and war stores might have been landed, and she might have left for England the same day, the wharf being free from ice. About the beginning of March, and sometimes caH.ier, the ice breaks .away from the wharf, and the St. Lawrence from Uimouski down is soon free from any heavy floating ice and open to navigation for stea- mers and sailing vessels. But^the' intended wharves protecting the Harbour, being farther from the shore and in a stronger current, which would run through their several passages, would be surrounded 'with ice, if ever they were, only in the middle of winter, and whenever steam or sailing vessels could pass through the ^ulf, they could also come to Himoaski and enter the Harbour. Himouski, possessing the best Harboir in this part of the Province, the lowest terminus of the Intercolonial Kailway near the River, as well as a College, a Convent, and being the centro of all religious, commercial and judiciary sfiairi of a large district, this beautiful •/I i locality will fast incroa^io in population, industry, trnile and wealth. Situated at the very point where the Inter- colonial arrives from tlie bade and extensive Mf^rieul- tural country, extending from the northern limits of New-JBrunswiek to the waters of the S(. Lawrence, Piimouski must forcibly become the port in connexion with the Railway. The lovely surrounding' scenery, the extensive ^ and level lauds along the shore with a f;entle rise towards the south, the fertile soil of the surrounding neighbourhood and of all the district of Himouskf, the great water powers of the Rimoupki River, with its splendid Flour and Saw mills and other i.^otories, give this locality all that could be desired in order to form, in a short time, a commercial and industrioue City : and when compared with the high and rockey mountains, deep gulleys and broken lands surround- ing Old Bic in all directions, the mind is forcibly inclined to believe that nothing, but an act incon- sistent with common sense, could cause a preference to be given to this wild and dangerous place, fit for nothing else but a solitary meditation.