TWENTIETH ORDINARY MEETING. 223 
although from the swiftness of the current of the river just below 
this point, which sweeps on at the rate of 10 miles an hour, and the 
width of the river, a few ordinary guns in their former embrasures 
at Fort Erie would prevent any such undisciplined raiders from again 
attempting to effect a crossing in safety. At present surrounded by 
the fast growing city, and forming now one of Buffalo’s Parks, is the 
American Fort Porter. This fort is one of the military posts of the 
United States, forming with Forts Niagara and Detroit, links in that 
chain of forts; which in the United States extends from Maine to 
Oregon. It is garrisoned by a detachment of United States infantry, 
whose services were of great value to the city in the great railroad 
riots of 1877. Three miles from Black Rock the most northerly 
suburb of Buffalo is the Island called Grand Island, containing 
about 80 square miles of land, and forming a Township in Erie 
County State of New York. Flowing due north through the 
middle of the Island, is a small creek, called Burnt Ship Creek, 
emptying itself into the Basin separating Buckhorn Island from 
Grand. In this Basin the French, in 1759, anchored two small 
vessels containing the reinforcements which had been sent from 
Venago to raise the siege of Fort Niagara, if possible, which at that 
time was beleagured by the British under Sir William Johnscn. 
After landing the men on Isle la Marine, now called Navy Island, 
they burnt and sunk these ships. Until a few years ago the charred 
timbers of these vessels were distinctly visible, but now, owing to 
the gradual filling up of this basin, they have completely disappeared. 
Some years ago, while fishing in the clear water in company with 
some American friends, we noticed what we first thought was a 
sunken log; but American inquisitiveness when once aroused cannot 
be pacified, save by complete and satisfactory investigation. A 
grappling hook was obtained and a long rope. By continued exertion 
we dragged the object on shore, and it was certainly a curiosity. 
It was evidently a wheel which was used as part of a primitive 
machine for dragging these small vessels over the portages. The 
wheel was about 8 feet in diameter, and was, although composed 
of probably over a hundred distinct parts, made entirely of wood, 
there not being a particle of iron in its composition. The wood was 
oak, and although it had been under water for nearly 120 years, was 
not in the least affected by any kind of rot or decay. Being too 
cumbrous to transport, it was left on the shore of the Island, and 
17 
