40 [2] 
but for the same resistance, would deposit part of the sand in the lake, 
and part in the basin. An equilibrium between the three, has, in all 
probability, determined the general form of the shoal; and with slight 
•variations has maintained, and will still continue to maintain, the 
present form. The variations here alluded to, are due to the great- 
er or less violence and fiequency of easterly winds; and to the great- 
er or less violence of the basin currents consequent upon westerly 
winds; or, in other words, to a difference of the seasons, and have no 
important bearing on the project before us. It is important to re- 
member, *hat westeily winds can do little or nothing towards heap- 
ing up, or carrying away, sand at the mouth of the basin; as this 
mouth, with these winds, is under the lee of the Presque Isle. 
On the considerations stated above, it seems obvious that no help 
can be derived from the current in clearing a navigable passage 
through the bar, unless its velocity can be coiisidei-abiy increased. 
With a view to tliis increase of current, the Board propose to forna 
two parallel embankments, separated 200 feet, from near Block- 
house Point to deep water in the lake; and, with the exception of 
this passage, to close the whole of the mouth of the basin, by a line 
of contiguous piles from Block-house Point to Hospital Point, ter- 
minating the embankment, in the lake, by two strong piers, each 
standing obliquely to the line of embankment with whi(h it is con- 
nected; and in the basin, by placing the parts within the line of piles, 
also obliquely. The general direction of the currents will be the 
same after the construction of this work as before; but the forci^, it 
is presumed, will be sufficiently augmented, by the contraction of the 
passage, to sweep away not only tlie sand between the embankments, 
but also that which lies between the inner end of the artificial clian- 
uel and deep water in the basin. Admitting the current to be ade- 
quate to that object, when not opposed by the wind; we will now see 
whether this opposition, or the action of the wind, in any respect, will 
be likely to prevent a profitable result from this project. Easterly 
winds will throw a heavy swell into and against the mouth of the 
artificial channel, and will doubtless prevent the waters, coming 
out with their load, from transporting it far into the lake; the sands 
brought out by the current when the winds are still, and dropped 
when the stream ceases to have sufficient velocity to bear them along, 
may, also, by these winds, be driven back; and thus a new bar be 
formed near tlie moutli: but, as the moving of the sand by this curr 
rent will cease as soon as a certain depth is attained, (for the velocity 
%vill diminish as the depth increases, until at last the inertia of the 
matterwil! he in cqui!ibi-iiim with tlie velocity,) as a part will be car- 
ried into thf haHin, where \^ inds will not disturb it: and as a part of 
that carried into tiie lake will be driven by the waves upon the shoal 
to the right and left of the channel, where it must remain, as there 
will no longer be a current over this shoal, it is presumed that the 
new bar cannot be of sufficient elevation to impede tiie navigation. 
Should, however, an iinpcdiment be raised by the action of the winds, 
there is reason to believe that it will be but temporary and of trifling 
