578 CANADIAN LOCAL HISTORY : 



The probability is, however," remarks the same writer, " that it will, as a naval and military 

 depot, have to be eventually shifted to Owen's Sound, where there is a military reserve 

 specially retained in the survey, as, from the number of shoals about Penetanguishene, the 

 islands, <fec., the harbour is said generally to close up With ice three weeks earlier, and to 

 continvxe shut three weeks later than at the Sound." 



A diagram in the Canadian Journal (i. 225), illustrating a paper by Mr. Sandford Fleming, 

 shews the remarkable terraced character of the high banks of the harbour of Penetanguishene. 

 " There are appearances in various parts of this region," Mr. Fleming says, " that lead us to 

 infer that the Waters of Lake Huron, like those of Ontario, formerly stood at higher levels 

 than they at present occupy. Parallel terraces and ridges of sand and gravel can be traced at 

 different places winding round the heads of bays and points of high land with perfect horizon- 

 tality, and resembling in every respect the present lake beaches. One of them particularly 

 strikes the attention in the bay of Penetanguishene, at a height of about seventy feet aboVe 

 the level of the lake. It can be seen distinctly on either side from the water, or by a spectator 

 standing on one bank while the sun shines obliquely on the other, so as to throv/ the deeper 

 parts of the terrace in shadow." Mr. Fleming then gives a section "sketched from a cutting 

 a little below Jeffery's Tavern in the village of Penetanguishene, serving to shew the manner 

 in which the soil has been removed from the side hill and deposited in a position formerly 

 under water by the continued mechanical action of the waves. Not only does the peeuliai' 

 stratification of the lower part of the terrace confirm the supposition that it was deposited on 

 the shore of the ancient lake, but the fact that such excavations have been made in this land- 

 locked position, where the waves could never have had much force, goes far to prove that the 

 lake stood for a long period at this high level." (From the successive subsidences here spoken 

 of by Mr. Fleming, the island known as the Giant's Tomb, in the entrance to Georgian Bay 

 has its peculiar appearance, viz., that of a colossal grave elevated on a high platform or 

 pedestal.) 



In 1S27, John Gait, the Well-known writer, had been at Penetanguishene. He was on his 

 way from York to make an exploration of the lake Huron west of the Canada Company's 

 Huron tract, from Cabot's head in the north to the Riviere aux Sables in the south. For this 

 purpose, a Government vessel, the Bee, lying in Penetangiiishene harbour, had been placed at 

 his disposal. In his Autobiography he gives the following incidents of his journey from the 

 shore of Kempenfelt bay. "About half-way to Penetanguishene," he says, "we Were com- 

 pelled by the weather to take shelter in a farm house, and a thunderstorm coming on obliged 

 us to remain all night. The house itself was not inferior to a common Scottish cottage, but it 

 was rendered odious by the landlady, who was, all the time we stayed, ' drunk as a sow, 

 Huncamunca.' Next day we proceeded," he continues, "to the military station and dockyard 

 of Penetanguishene by a path through the woods, which, to the honour of the late Mr. Wilber- 

 force, bears his name. Along it are settled several negro families. As I walked part of the 

 way," Gait says, "I went into a cottage, pleasantly situated on a rising ground, and found it 

 inhabited by a crow-like flock of negro children. The mother was busy with them, and the 

 father, a good-natured looking fellow, told me that they were very comfortable, but had not 

 yet made any great progress in clearing the land, as his children were still too young to assist. 

 We reached Penetanguishene," Gait then says, "the remotest and most inland dockyard that 

 owns obedience to the ' meteor-flag of England,' where, by the orders of the Admiralty, his 

 Majesty's gun-boat the Bee was placed at my disposal. By the by," he adds, " the letter from 

 the Admiralty was a curious specimen of the geographical knowledge which then prevailed 

 there, inasmuch as it mentioned that the vessel was to go with me on Lake Huron in Lower 

 Canada. In the village of Penetanguishene," he then informs us, "there is no tavern. We 

 were therefore obliged to billet ourselves on the officer stationed there, of whose hospitality 

 and endeavour to make the time pass pleasantly till he had the Bee ready for the lake, I shall 

 ever retain a pleasant remembrance." He then describes his voyage in the little gun-boat as 

 far as Detroit, and his examination of the river subsequently called the Maitland, and the site 

 where Goderich was afterwards built. 



Since 1840, the Rev. Geo. Halleu has been a resident clergyman at Penetanguishene. From 

 him have been obtained the following particulars of detachments of military stationed from 

 time to time at that post. In 1838 a detachment of the 34th regiment, Lieut. Hutton com- 

 manding. In 1838 also, there were some incorporated Militia there under Col. Davis. In 



