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226 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
With the advent of steam vessels of deep draught, came a period
when lake traffic fell off, as the harbor Avas too shallow to accommodate
the larger vessels. But, through the efforts-of the people of Sandusky
and their representatives in Congress, wide and deep channels have been
dug so that noAV the largest vessels on the lakes can not only enter and
leave the harbor, but have plenty of room Avithin the channel.
The main channel, leading in from the lake, is 400 feet wide and 21
feet deep. At its junction with a lateral channel passing along the
water front of the city, is a deep basin in Avhich vessels can anchor or
turn Avithout danger. The lateral channel is 21 feet deep and 300 feet
wide and gives access to all of the docks of the city's front.
While traffic has not yet reached its maximum, the benefit of the
neAV channel is shown by the constantly increased tonnage of vessels
entering and clearing from this port. At one dock alone—the South
Shore Dock Company's—the tonnage outbound increased from 253,237,
in 1906 to 1,753,893 in 1911, and shipments thus far this year indicate
that the 2,000,000 mark will be passed before navigation closes. Outbound
shipments are mostly coal, while sand and lumber come in.
Ten years ago the customs office of this port Avas operated at a loss
to the Government and was maintained only because of the large enrollment
of vessels in the district and the necessity for entering Canadian
products, mainly not dutiable. NOAV it handles imports Avhich bring
its receipts far in excess of its expenses.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1912, 1,166 vessels entered
Sandusky from foreign ports and 1,590 from domestic ports. Clearances
for foreign ports totaled 1,257 vessels and for domestic ports,
1,497 vessels. The value of the port's exports to Canada, mostly coal,
was $1,434,009. Imports were received from Italy, Spain, France, Germany,
England and Canada, and the entries of merchandise free and
dutiable, were 713 in number.
Both the importing and exporting business of the port have SIIOAVII
a steady growth for some years past and there is every reason to believe
that before many years at the present groAvth, Sandusky will have
reclaimed her old-time importance as a lake port. The establishment
of new industries will contribute much tOAvard that end.
In 1853 W. W. Wetherell & Co. built large numbers of railroad cars
for roads. On May 30, 1853, the Register notes their building tAA'o cars
for the C, IT. & D. Railroad Company. At one order they built fifty
passenger cars for one road. They failed in the '60s because the Illinois
Central ovA'ed them over $200,000 and the road Avent into insolvency.
Their plant was the corner of Fulton and Washington streets. At
the same time and for many years later the firm of Thorpe, NorcroSs &
Thorpe used as a furniture factory the building IIOAV used as a postoffice
annex.
In 1865 Gregg, Oekoback & Co. operated a AA'ood factory in Sandusky.
They had a main building 300 feet long by 80 feet Avide and tAvo
stories high with painthouse and storehouses in addition. Besides making