An exhibit of the coasting trade of the district of Cuyahoga, Ohio, during the year 1851.

No. 12.-DISTRICT OF SANDUSKY, OHIO.

Port of entry, Sandusky city; latitude 41° 22′, longitude 820 42′; population in 1850, 5,087.

The district of Sandusky extends from Black river westward, including the ports of Vermillion, Huron, Milan, Sandusky, Venice, Fremont, Portage Plaster Bed, and Port Clinton, being a distance of fifty miles lake coast, and some fifty more of bay and river. In natural advantages for commercial progress, probably this district is surpassed by no other on Lake Erie west of Buffalo Creek. Within its borders are several navigable rivers and one of the finest bays in the west, capable of furnishing anchorage to any number of vessels, at which they may safely ride during the most severe gales, and to which they gain access during the prevalence of almost any wind. The whole of the back country on which it rests is fertile and rich in agricultural resources, and sends forth annually large quantities of surplus produce over the different railways and canals by which it is penetrated.

Vermillion, the easternmost of all the ports in this district, is situated on the lake shore at the mouth of the Vermillion river, about ten miles distant from Black river, and as many more from Huron. It has no remarkable features which require particular notice, but is simply a place for exchange of produce against merchandise, for its shipments to other markets. This statement exhibits the commerce of the port as follows:

Huron, the next port in course to the westward, is situated on Huron river, about ten miles east from Sandusky, and has a good harbor, with this exception-that in some seasons there are accumulations on the bar at its mouth, which require removal in order to make access to it easy.

A ship-canal has been constructed from this point to Milan, a distance of eight miles, by which vessels ascend, and load at the latter point. A railway was projected from this point to intersect with the Sandusky and Mansfield railroad; but it is not yet in progress. commerce of Huron is valued as follows:

The

Milan is not, to speak with exactitude, a lake port; but an account of its business is necessary to a full computation of the lake trade, as no

returns of its business are supposed to be taken by the collector at Huron, through which port all vessels pass in going up and returning from Milan. This commerce, according to the canal-collector, amounted last year to

Exports..
Imports.

Total....

$435,816

690,185

1,126,901

As no separate accounts of this trade appear to have been kept in 1847, it is probable that they were included with those of Huron.

Sandusky, the port of entry, lies on the south shore of a most beautiful bay of the same name, about five miles from its mouth, and contains about 8,000 inhabitants. This bay is about twenty miles in length and five in width, forming a shelter large enough to give anchorage to the whole lake marine, with an average depth of twelve feet water. The bar at the mouth of the bay is sometimes enlarged, or its shape changed, by the spring-currents. A straight channel has, however, been dredged through it, at the expense of the city, in which there is about eleven feet of water.

Sandusky city is the capital of Erie county, Ohio, and lies 60 miles west from Cleveland, 110 miles north from Columbus, 414 from Washington-directly facing the outlet of the bay into Lake Erie, at three miles distance, of which it commands a fine view. The city is situated on an inexhaustible quarry of fine building-stone, of which many of the best buildings are erected.

The Bad river and Lake Erie railroad connects this city with Cincinnati and the Ohio, the passage from city to city occupying about ten hours. This road runs through one of the most beautiful and opulent agricultural regions in all the West, literally overflowing with the cereal produce of a young and productive soil. The Sandusky, Mansfield and Newark railway connects it with Newark, passing likewise through a rich portion of the State, and crossing the Cleveland and Columbus road, by means of which it has communication with both those cities. The advantageous relations of this city in regard to the central portions of the State, together with its superior harbor facilities give it an active commercial aspect.

The deputy collector has furnished returns showing the imports coastwise to amount