Oswego Harbour

This excellent Port is in a great measure reclaimed from the Lake by skilful engineering, and at an enormous expense. It is situated at the mouth of the Oswego River, and protected from the heavy seas caused by westerly and north-west gales by walls of solid masonry.

Capacious as are the basins, slips, and other parts of the harbour, they are even now barely sufficient for the accommodation of the numerous steamers, propellers, and schooners, which bring their valuable cargoes from all parts of the Upper Lakes to this busy and prosperous city.

The enterprising merchants and citizens of Oswego, aware of the insufficient accommodation afforded to the shipping visiting their port, are now engaged in devising plans for the enlargement and improvement of this important harbour: amongst these may be mentioned-

1st. The construction of a pier from a point 1 1/2 miles west, to a point north of the lighthouse, 800 or 1,000 feet in the Lake.

2nd. A similar harbour east of the river and north of the Fort.

3rd. The construction of a lock to admit vessels into the pond above the dam, 500 feet wide, and one mile long.

The river Oswego has its source very near the head of the Mohawk; it passes through Lake Oneida, and in its course to Lake Ontario receives the Seneca River, besides the waters of several less streams and many small lakes. The waters from these in the spring and fall of the year so greatly swell and increase its current, that sailing vessels are unable to stem it, except when favoured by a strong northerly breeze.

To obviate this difficulty, numerous small but powerful tug boats are constantly plying about the mouth of the harbour, and when a large and heavily laden schooner comes within a mile or so of the port, they run out, seize upon their helpless prey, and conduct it alongside the wharf or warehouse to which it may be consigned, with as much ease and precision as a carriage can be driven up to a street door.

There are no rocks or shoals to be feared in approaching this port; the only dangers consist in the very heavy sea, which rolls into the harbour during a westerly blow, and the want of room to manoeuvre or work a vessel when inside.

LIGHTHOUSE.

The lighthouse is built on the west pier, is 82 feet high, and has a very good bright fixed light.

COMPASS.

When within twenty miles East or West of Oswego, allow 1° or 1° 30' West for variation of compass.

COURSES AND DISTANCES.

From Oswego to Kingston:-Due N. will take inside Real Ducks to Nine Mile Point on Simcoe Island, which has a fixed light, 56 miles.

N. by W., which is the best course, will take to the light of False Ducks, 40 miles, then N. E. 2 E. for Kingston Harbour, 30 miles.*

In the daytime, when steering for the False Ducks, the high busby land of South Bay Point will be seen before the lighthouse, but at night, the light will be visible first.

From Oswego to Big Sodus Bay, W. S. W. 1/2 S. 32 miles.

" Genesee River, W. by S. 2 S. 66 miles.

" Port Dalhousie, W. till abreast of Thirty Mile Creek, then S. S. W. 164 miles.

" Toronto, W. 1/2 N. 172 miles.

" Cobourg, W. N. W. 105 miles.

" Long Point, N. W. 1/2 W. 48 miles.

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