1853- "Lighthouses on Georgian Bay and Lake Huron

1856-Inverhuron:

In 1856, four schooners, at that time engaged in freighting stone from the Inverhuron quarry, for the construction of the lighthouse on Chantrey Island, rode out a severe gale from the north-west of several days duration, at anchor in front of the quarry by the sheer strength of anchors and cables, and the superior quality of the holding ground.   These vessels were the "Forester" (Forest) Capt. John Spence, of Southampton; the "Georgia," Capt. McGregor; the "Wave," Capt. Marwick, and the "Indian Maid," owned by Mr. Brown, of Thorold, contractor. Both Capt. Spence and Capt. Marwick were salt water sailors; both had sailed over a large portion of the globe; and both declared at the time that they never cast anchor in better holding ground.' (Excerpts from "The Question of a Harbour of Refuge on the Canada Coast of Lake Huron, Discussed at Some Length by the Inverhuron Harbour Committee, County of Bruce, 1869.")

1856:

Illustrative of the scarcity of stone along the Canada Coast of Lake Huron, it is only necessary to state that the stone used in the construction of the Light House on Chantrey Island, 20 miles north, and the Light House on Point Clark, 20 miles south, of Inverhuron, was quarried at Inverhuron Bay, and transported to both places by sailing vessel, at very considerable expense and inconvenience. (Excerpts from "The Question of a Harbour of Refuge on the Canada Coast of Lake Huron, Discussed at Some Length by the Inverhuron Harbour Committee, County of Bruce, 1869.")

1857:

Letter of Jan. 19, 1857: "The lighthouse at Chantry Island is built up to within two feet of the projection, so that but little remains to be done as all the material is ready upon the spot. The pier at Chantry is finished. At Inverhuron the cribs keep sinking through the sand and it would not be wise to hurry the superstructure till all subsidience had ceased.. A. G. Robinson, engineer.

1857:

Letter from A. G. Robinson, engineeer, dated Saugeen Dec. 5, 1857: "I beg laeve to enclose an estimate in favour of John Brown contractor for lighthouses on Lake Huron. The amount is predicated upon £3,500 being the contract price for building dwelling and tower. The tower is finished with the exception of the parapet above the projection and the dwelling house is built 9 feet above the foundation, or two feet above the surface of the ground.

1857: Robinson reports on Huron lighthouse construction: Saugeen—

"At Chantry Island concrete was used, as the bottom was composed of gravel and boulders. (as a base) Letter Dec. 28, 1857. Also reporter: "The next light, that on Chantry Island, is also one of great importance, as behind the island a great number of vessels take shelter and ride out some of the heaviest storms of Lake Huron. The improvement made her by running out a pier from the north east point of the island by allowing vessels to moor themselves to the snubbing posts, also enhance the value of this island as a place of refuge. It would be essentially necessay to place a buoy and fog bell in the extreme point of a reef running due south west 66 chains from the most southerly point of the island. A large tug boat was lost in day light upon this reef this fall, which would scarcely have happened if it had been dredged out and the aid shown. Vessels can bring up at the back of the island in from twelve to eighteen feet of water but the holding ground is far from good.—same

Dec. 28, 1857 lette:  Letter, A. G. Robinson, engineer, reporting on lighthouse construction on Huron:

"At the same time the chain (of lights) would be beautifully complete if a light, even of the fourth order, were placed upon the most westerly island of the fishing of Gheheto Islands (called the Scotch Bonnet) and which lies on the south side of the channel leading to the back of an island called Main Station, where there is good shelter for vessels, which may in want of a harbour of refuge. Vessels drawing twelve feet water can run with perfect safety."