Navigation01

 

OSHKOSH NORTHWESTERN

December 3, 1868

 

Close of Navigation

 

            The Steamer Northwestern, of the W.R.P. Co’s line came down the river from New London on Tuesday afternoon on her last trip. Her consort the Tigress, went into winter quarters over a week since, and boats on the Berlin line laid up on Sunday, as did those on Lake Winnebago. Boats of the Lake and River Co’s line, made the final trip about ten days since.  The Sailing vessels on Lake Winnebago are hibernating and will remain in that condition until spring.

            The ice on Lake Poygan was quite thick yesterday, and another trip by the Northwestern was out of the question.  Nearly all of the freight and passenger traffic for the season has been finished, the stage lines for the winter being now in operation.  The season of navigation has continued five days later this year, than last, as will be seen by the following table showing the date of the opening and closing of the river, for the past eleven years.

                        Years   Opening                        Closing

                        1858     April 19^th                      Nov. 23

                        1859     March 29^th                    Nov. 26

                        1860     March 28^th                    Nov. 24

                        1861     April 4^th                        Nov. 28

                        1862     April 15^th                      Nov. 20

                        1863     April 4^th                        Nov. 24

                        1864     April 13^th                      Dec. 3

                        1865     April 10^th                      Dec. 4

                        1866     April 23d                       Dec. 1

                        1867     April 15^th                      Nov. 26

                        1868     March 31^st                    Dec. 1

            The season has been a long one, and to the various steamboat companies whose lines radiate from this city in nearly every direction, it has been one of fair profit.  On the Wolf River, the new arrangement with the Boom Company, aided much to make the line regular, and conduced greatly to the public convenience.  The Lake Winnebago line established as an experiment, has we believe fully met the expectations of its proprietors. Boats on the Berlin line, have never been more regular, nor has the general management been more satisfactory to the public than in the season just passed.  The consolidation of conflicting interests, on the Green Bay, and Upper Fox line, proved to be a matter of great importance to all interested in the prompt and safe transportation of freight between the East and Northern Wisconsin.  Never before has freight been handled so promptly, and with such general satisfaction to businessmen.

            The other boats, managed by private individuals, plying upon the upper Fox, the Wolf, and Lake Winnebago, have generally been busily employed during the whole season.  The sail vessels also, employed in the wood line, and brick trade with Calumet shore, since the opening of navigation, have found it a very profitable season. Altogether the past summer, and fall has added greatly to the substantial prosperity of the “Queen City of the Northwest”.