Port Dalhousie

To sailing vessels, this is without doubt the most important Port on the Lake. Every vessel bound to or from the Upper Lakes is obliged to pass through the Welland Canal, and consequently to enter or leave this Port. It has the advantage of being easily made in any weather, and with any wind.

LIGHTHOUSE.

It is furnished with an excellent Lighthouse, built on the end of the east pier, containing a revolving bright light.

There are no shoals or dangers of any kind to be feared in approaching Port Dalhousie; the only caution requisite for a sailor, is to guard against standing inside the range of the West Pier in working in, as between it and the remains of an old wharf there are two rocks and a shoal (all below water) on which he would put his vessel ashore. The piers run N. and S. to the bend, thence to the lock N. E. and S. W.; they are about 3,000 feet long, 200 feet apart, with an average depth of 12 feet water. The basin or pond to the east of the steam-boat landing is too shoal to be of any service, and it reflects no little discredit upon the Commissioners for allowing so much valuable space to be lost, when at a comparatively small cost the capacity of this important port could be so greatly improved.

It has been told me as a fact, that between three and four miles N. or N. by W. of the lighthouse, the compass dips, and for a short time becomes so disturbed as not to be relied upon. I have not been able to verify this, but shall feel much obliged to any of the Captains frequenting this Port, communicating to me the result of their experience.

COURSES AND DISTANCES.

From Port Dalhousie to Burlington Canal, W. 3/4 N. 32 miles.

" " Oakville, N. W. by N. 32 miles.

" " Toronto, N. by W. 33 miles.

" " Whitby, N. N. E. 55 miles.

" " Long Point, E. N. E. 136 miles.

" " Mid-channel between Real and False Ducks, E. by N. 1/2 N. 174 miles.

" " Niagara River, E. by N. 12 miles.

" " Devil's Nose, E. by N.1/2 N.

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