The Perilous Path to Union Bay

Mr. Jensen, the proprietor of the little propeller Minnie May, reports that a movement is on foot, headed by Messrs. McKedmond and Pickering, for the improvement of the slough. Some weeks ago, Mr. Jensen conceived the idea of putting his little steamer on the route between Snohomish and the Lake Washington landing on this side, believing that the project was a feasible one. Accordingly, he started out on an experimental trip up that heretofore unnavigated channel—at least, unnavigated by steam. He proceeded up the slough a distance of some six miles, encountering no difficulty excepting brush which grows along the banks and projects over the channel. As he went on, the difficulties from this source became so great that at the point indicated above, he found it necessary to abandon the idea of going further with the steamer. He then embarked in a small boat and completed his trip to the head of the slough, making an examination of the channel as he went. He reports that the idea of navigating the slough and lake with a small steam craft is entirely feasible, and that the only obstruction is that caused by the brush; this is only of trivial importance, as it can be easily removed. During his tour of investigation, he visited all the settlers along the slough and in the vicinity of the lake, over sixty in number, and presented to them the advantages that would accrue to their locality if the slough could be rendered navigable. He urged that they take some immediate action in the matter. He found them all in favor of the project, especially Messrs. McKedmond and Pickering, who went to work at once to devise some means for a speedy improvement.