Great North American Lakes. 93 



water of the lake. I was led to the observation at that 

 time, by having charge of a fatigue party, which was em- 

 ployed in removing the earth, which was deposited in the 

 bottom of the canal, that conducts the water from the head 

 of the rapid to the saw-mill, situated about three quarters of 

 a mile below. In removing this earth, it became neces- 

 sary to throw up a temporary dam of stones and sods, at 

 the upper end of the canal, to prevent the water from flow- 

 ing in. Just as this was completed, the water which had ris- 

 en considerably while we had been at work, was about break- 

 ing over. I informed the men, it would be necessary to raise 

 it higher. Although the wind was but light down the lake, 

 and had not increased while we had been at work, still I 

 attributed the rise of water to its influence. But one of the 

 men, who had been employed the two preceding summers, 

 in floating mill-logs, out of a small stream which empties in- 

 to Lake Superior, about nine miles above, observed, that it 

 would be unnecessary to raise the dam, for the water was at 

 its height. I was incredulous as to his statement, and asked 

 how he knew the water would not continue to rise. He re- 

 plied, that there were regular tides in Lake Superior ; he 

 had observed them, the two previous summers, both in the 

 stream where he rafted logs, and on the shores of the lake, 

 and that the tide was about two hours and a half in rising, 

 and the same time in falling. In consequence of this infor- 

 mation, I directed the men, to suspend their work on the 

 dam, for a few moments, to ascertain whether it would be 

 verified. We very soon found the water was on the reflux, 

 although the wind continued the same. We marked the 

 shore, as the water receded; and as the bed of the lake, for 

 several rods from the margin, made but a small angle with 

 the horizon, the fall of the water, was perceptible, every 

 moment ; it was from two hours and twenty, to two hours 

 and thirty minutes, in its ebb, and the same time in flood. 

 The rise and fall was about eighteen inches, perpendicular. 

 We observed two ebbs, and two flood tides, during that and 

 the two following days, which were in the same regular man- 

 ner. I mentioned these facts to the commanding officer 

 of the post, and to several other officers; — they all attributed 

 the phenomenon, to the wind above; but having made per- 

 sonal observations, they concluded it could not be caused 

 by the wind, for it was neither violent, or variable, during 

 the time. After this, I had less opportunity to notice so crit- 



