Deblaguire & Co, to proceed to Saginaw, to take from that point a raft of square oak and pine timber, and to proceed with the same to the above mentioned place on Lake Erie. The above gentlemen contemplate sending forward in the same manner several more rafts should the present enterprise prove successful. Messrs. F., D. & Co. are in no way interested in the timber which has already gone forward by the tugs Reindeer and L.L.Lyon. The Magnet and Oswego leave this morning. Detroit Free Press, July 14, 1861. THE LUMBER RAFTS The tug Reindeer returned last evening at 7 o'clock from the raft expedition,’ which Captain Keeler states reached Port Burwell, where it remains for the present. On Monday night last, in consequence of the heavy weather which prevailed, the raft became separated, and the tow- line parted. The men were taken off the timber, and both tugs remained in the vicinity until morning, when another line was made fast and the timber towed into the above port, none of it getting lost. The owner of the raft was met at that place, who expressed himself much satisfied with the operation. The Reindeer proceeds to Lake Huron to bring down another raft, which will be taken to Port Colborne. In the meantime the timber now at Port Burwell will be put together again and taken on by the Reindeer on her return to that place. Detroit Free Press, July 20, 1861. THE LARGEST TOW YET The tug Reindeer, Captain Keeler, passed down Sunday with eight loaded vessels in tow, which is conceded now to be the largest ever made, and entitling him to the belt given the tug Martin a few days since, which passed with seven, as reported at the time. Yesterday afternoon Captain Keeler was formally presented with the belt by Captain Seth Hunter, who honored the occasion with a few brief remarks, to which Captain Keeler very feelingly replied. It was at once placed at the head of the flag-staff, by the side of an elegant broom. Detroit Free Press, May 15, 1860. All excerpts from the Detroit Free Press by Anna S. Moore. 122