Video Parts (3)
This clip is Part 1 of a 3-part film.
GREAT LAKES-1, THE Part 1
Description
The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: “The Great Lakes are ‘The Inland Seas of America’ which have a vast commerce in iron ores, grain, coat, and copper.’’ Map of Great Lakes showing Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, St. Mary’s River, St. Glair River, Detroit River, St. Lawrence River, Lake St. Clair, Soo Locks, and Welland Canal. “Lake Superior, the largest of fresh water bodies, has the famous Picture Rocks on its southern shore.” View of Picture Rocks, surface. “In the autumn storms, sailors fear its rocky cliffs.” Lake, shore, boat on water. “In Lake Superior, near the Canadian line, is the wildlife preserve of Isle Royale.” View from above of Isle Royale - small boat moving in backwaters. “Some of the beavers and their cuttings.” View of beaver in water - beaver gnawed tree. “The Lake Superior land is rich in iron and copper ores. At the copper mines on the Keweenaw peninsula.” Views of buildings at copper mine. “The rock is crushed and the copper washed from the broken rock in this machine.” Views inside mine plant of machine in operation. “A nugget of pure copper.” Hand holding nugget. “More than three-fourths of our iron ore is mined in the Lake Superior region.” View of iron mine, snow on ground. “An iron ore freighter with a cargo of 10,000 tons.” Two freighters under way on lake. “One giant freighter carries as much ore as all the boats of 1870.” Close-up of cranes loading freighter. “Lake Superior is near the wheat fields and large elevators store the grain at Port Arthur, Duluth and Superior. Loading 210,000 bushels of wheat into a freighter.” Panoramic view of elevators, waterfront. “The first ‘Soo’ [Sault] canal was built in 1855.” View of lock of canal. “The two United States ‘Soo’ canals with the International Bridge in the background.” View of ship in canal, bridge in background. “An ore freighter enters the locks.” View of prow of ship while in locks. “The water is drawn out of the lock - the boat is lowered - the gate opens.” View of boat in lock, gate closing. “Leaving the ‘Soo’, the freighter enters Lake Huron end passes historic Mackinac Island.” View from water of island. “Mackinac was the greatest of the early trading posts. Its forts controlled the far country of the Northwest.” Panoramic view of buildings, statue, roads on island. “The blockhouses, at the corner of the old fort, are of stone and heavy timber. View of blockhouse. “The underground entrance to a blockhouse. Note the port holes for the riflemen.” Another view of blockhouse. “The famous Arch Rock of Mackinac Island.” Ship as seen through arch. “Sugar Loaf towers above the trees.” View of rock protruding above tree tops. “On Lake Michigan is Chicago in a most favorable position for distribution of products.” View of drawbridge opening, skyline of Chicago in background. “Most of the Lake Superior iron ore passes through Lake Huron and the flats of Lake St. Claire.” Freighter moving through water, speedboat and two canoes in foreground. “The Detroit River is a mile wide and lined with city buildings and factories.” View from water of Detroit skyline, buildings, factories, etc. ‘“The City of the Straits’ has unexcelled water transportation.” View of large excursion boat moving up river, city in background. “Detroit is the center of the passenger traffic of the Great Lakes.” Waterfront, liners at dock. “When the Detroit River freezes.” Ice packed river, boat moving at mid-stream. “The great car ferry crushes the ice.” Close-up of ferry moving through ice. “Building a freighter in a Detroit shipyard.” View of ship under construction, workers, cranes, etc. “Its steel frame is covered with iron plates.” Workers riveting plates to frame. “Riveting the plates.” Close-ups of men riveting. “Launching the boat sidewise.” Close-up of supports holding ship ‘Henry Ford II’ on land - guillotine cutting rope supports, boat sliding into water. “At the head of Lake Erie is Toledo on the Maumee River.” Aerial view of Toledo and bridges crossing river. “Three-fourths of the iron ore of Lake Superior goes to Lake Erie ports. Giant ore unloaders at Cleveland.” Cranes unloading ore from hold of freighter. “Coal is the return cargo to Lake Superior. Each minute a carload is dumped into the freighter.” Large derrick-type machine loading coal into freighter. “From Lake Erie flows the swift Niagara River.” Close-up of fast flowing water. “Niagara Falls consist of two great falls -- the American Falls.” View of American falls. “The Canadian Falls.” View of Canadian falls. “In winter the mist freezes.” Couple walking down snowy path - view of falls in winter. “The Welland Canal has been constructed for boats going from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario.” Woman standing on cliff overlooking canal. “The St. Lawrence River connects Lake Ontario with the ocean.” View of river - tourists standing on overlook watching river. “The Great Lakes, first explored by the French, and later held by the British, have become a most important highway for an industrial and commercial empire.” “The End.” “Ford Educational Library.” [1925]
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