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showed a large increase. Many new and direct routes to the great 

 Eastern mai-kets, have just been opened to the growing business of the 

 West, which our merchants find gi-eatly to their profit, both in regard 

 to speed and certainty of transmission. The different fines of propel- 

 lers passing through the Welland Canal, to Oswego, Cape Vincent and 

 Ogdensburg, do a veiy large part of om- carrying, because they afford 

 conveyance by steam the entire distance to New York and Boston, with 

 but a single transhipment, and saving several days time. This must 

 continue a gi-eat freight route, and we continue to be in a manner trib- 

 utaries to Canada, unless American enterprise and capital shall offer a 

 rival route through American soil. It is to be hoped the grand project 

 of the Niagara Sliip Canal may be speedily realized. The increasing- 

 business of the great West requu-es it, and will justify the expenditme. 

 Unless this be carried forward, the Welland Canal enlarged, will direct 

 the most profitable part of the ti-ade which has hitherto passed over the 

 long routes of the Empire State. 



Duiing the year several Propellers of superior size and construction 

 were sent out from our port, besides a number of fine Steamers and sail 

 craft. The most extensive ship yards belonging to Detroit, are located 

 at Trenton and Newport, where expenses are less, and timber more oon- 

 \ enient ; consequently most of the hulls are built at those points. The 

 numerous elegant specimens of naval architecture, from the yard of 

 Messrs. Ward, at Newport, need no commendation to the inhabitants of 

 the Lake region. They speak their own praise. Those of Trenton are 

 equal in excellence, but not in number. A splendid addition to the 

 marine of our city will soon be made in the mammoth steamei-s in con- 

 struction for the Central Raih-oad Companj-. 



We have here in Detroit the best facilities for the thorough repair and 

 improvement of vessels of every size and kind, in two Dry Docks, 

 plenty of materials, and the most skillful mechanics of the country'. 

 Ives' Dry Dock can receive the largest craft now, or likely to float here, 

 or several smaller ones at once, and with its double engines and other 

 facihties, perfonn its service with the greatest dispatch. Hyde's Float- 

 ing Dock will, doubtless, also perform its part, when perfected, to satis- 

 faction. 



