The  Board  is  fully  sensible  of  the  advantages,  present  and  prospect-
ive, of  the  Sturgeon  Bay  Canal,  but  it  can  not  omit  saying  that  without
extensive  improvements  to  it  and  at  its  outlet  into  Lake  Michigan,
already  alluded  to,  it  will  never  be  utilized  in  a  great  degree  as  a  har-
bor of  refuge.  Admitting  that  it  could  be  entered  by  vessels  of  13  feet
draught  or  less  in  a  storm  without  any  additional  improvements — which
would  be  very  hazardous — the  capacity  of  the  canal  is  too  restricted  to


APPENDIX   GO — REPORT   OF   CAPTAIN   DAVIS.  2035

vesaels  to  anchor  or  tie  ap  in  it;  they  must  all  go  into  Stnrgeon
for  shelter.
While  the  canal  is  not  a  harbor  of  refuge,  it  is  a  means  of  access  to
a  harbor  in  Sturgeon  Bay.    In  this  respect  its  utility  depends  upon
ease  and  facility  with  which  vessels  can  enter  it.
Sturgeon  Bay  is  a  harbor  of  refuge  of  rare  and  exceptional  value,  but
of  ehief  advantage  to  the  vessels  belonging  in  Green  Bay,  whose  sail-
ooarses  always  find  them,  on  the  gathering  of  a  storm,  close  inshore,
^ble  to  tho  canal  entrance.
A  harbor  of  refuge  for  vessels  navigating  Lake  Michigan,  and  pass-
to  the  other  larger  lakes,  is  needed  on  the  west  side  of  Lake  Michi-
,  between  Porte  des  Morts  and  Milwaukee ;  and  the  construction  of
sive  works,  exterior  to  those  now  at  the  entrance  to  Sturgeon  Bay
al,  the  enlargement  of  the  canal,  and  the  excavation  of  a  conven-
t  basin,  woald  convert  Sturgeon  Bay  into  a  secure  place  of  shelter
the  larg^t  vessels  of  the  lakes,  whose  benefits  would  be  enjoyed
one  time  or  other  by  the  greater  part  of  all  the  shipping  which  ever
€8  to  Lake  Michigan.
