On the North American continent the efficient lighting of the coasts washed by two salt oceans is only one, although the most important, concern of the United States and Canadian Governments. In addition each has a long stretch of rugged, tortuous shore hemming in those capacious depressions draining a vast tract of country, and known generally as the Great Lakes. These unsalted seas are rightly named, seeing that they constitute the largest sheets of fresh water on the inhabited globe. The responsibility of safeguarding the navigator as he makes his way across these wastes is shared equally by the two countries which they divide, with one exception. This is Lake Michigan, which lies entirely within the United States. The narrow necks of water which link these lakes into one long chain likewise are lighted by the two nations. For some years the Lower Detroit River, connecting Lakes Erie and St. Clair, was maintained for the most part by the United States, but the practice was not satisfactory; so, as the result of a conference between the two Governments, Canada assumed charge of the aids in certain specified portions of the navigable channel lying entirely in Canadian waters. The result of this new arrangement has been the better patrolling of the waterway. The water-borne commerce on these lakes, although possible for only half the year, is tremendous, while navigation is extremely difficult and beset with innumerable dangers.[B] The different means whereby a ship is handled and maintained on its course upon the salt-water ocean are not completely applicable in this case. The greater number of the boats are freighters and engaged in the transport of ore, which, from its metallic character, is apt to disturb the compass, rendering it somewhat unreliable. Nor is the lead of much avail in thick weather, as the lake-bed varies suddenly from comparative shallowness to great depths. Navigation on these lakes has been likened to coastal traffic, only with land on both sides of the mariner, and the intervals when the ship is out of sight of the shoreline are comparatively brief. Accordingly, the captain picks his way rather by the aid of landmarks, and the vessels are fitted with a bowsprit, to give the master a point whereby to judge his direction. But landmarks, however conspicuous and trustworthy they may be by day and in clear weather, are useless at night and in fog, to which latter visitation, by the way, these waters are extremely susceptible. [B] For a full description of the marine traffic on the Great Lakes, see “The Steamship Conquest of the World,” chapter ix., p. 119.