Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-11-25
From the Commercial Advertiser.

AN Elk EXTRAORDINARILY FEAT.
You have more than once heard of
the enterprise of the Hon. J. Hamil-
ton, owner of the popular steamboat
Great Britain, and several other boats
en- Lake Ontario and the river ST. Law
renee. This gentleman is extensive
ly engaged in the forwarding BUSH
ness, md is now the oldest steamboat
proprietor in this country. He be-
came the owner ofthe Frontiac, the first
boat burnt on the British side of the St.
Lawrence. [ well recollect making a
trip in this boattwenty years ago, when
we we're nine days in performing the
route from Kingston 10 little York now
the city of Toronto---just the number
of days that the Brittania was running
across the Atlantic from Halifax TO
Liverpool. Mr.. Hamilton has for some
years been under the impression that
steamboat might be constructed for
the navigation of the ST. Lawrence, up
those stupendous rapids called the
Long Strait &c. &c.---Those best ac-
quainted with this navigation could not
be brought TO believe thSt the'obstacles
which presented themselves could be
overcome. However, the enterprising
gentleman Of whom | am speaking,
determined to make the experiment,
and large boat (larger than the Bur
lington, Captain Sherman's boat on
L axe Champlain) was built under the
immediate direction of Mr.. Hamilton.
The boat, and all its machinery, were
completed at the dock-yard at Niagara
and when LAUGHED she was named the
, Ontario, and is perhaps as fine mod
? ell as can be found. Unfortunately, the
machinery proved to be too slight,
: and when making her first trip
from Toronto down the lake, one OF
her paddle-wheels dropped or broke
h off, and was never seen any more. AT
i the same time one of her engines was
: rendered entirely useless. She alter
n wards made two or three attempts to
q overcome the rapids, but it was found
v that the machinery was too slender TO
: accomplish it. She, however, with
/ one wheel, proved that her speed was
. greater than that of any other boat on
Of these waters.
a 1t was finally determined to make
70 an attempt to transfer her to the line
m running between Montreal and Que
. bee. Although this attempt was thought
2. lby some to be about as feasible as san
ing down the Falls of Niagara, Mr..
w. Hamilton was willing TO risk his
,ae splendid vessel. A crew of bold splr-
N its was selected, the most experienced
ed pilots pilots procured.-French Cana
,ed dams for the Long Sault, and the other
cal rapids to the cascades, and an Indian
NOT of the Caughnawaga tribe, TO drive
inc her over the Lachine. Previous Il
S. making the attempt, Captain Lewis
in Hilliard, the commander of the boat
ise well tried Yankee navigator, Wit
OF? has had much experience on the 81
70 Lawrence, went down on several raft
IN of timber, and made all the examina
on tons and preparations whichwere prao
un- ticable.
ck On the morning of the 18th of Au
md gust, the boat left Prescott, and in les
led than nine hours she had passed owe
all those rapids, which are SO appallin
If to the sight, and was safely moored
,da the wharf, Montreal-as great an e2
ina plot as was ever performed by
Guild steamboat Of such a class. In col
;ons versation with Mr.. Hilfiard, he state
- If TO me that at one period, his Canadia
and pilot would gladly have given up Il
ank- lob, and gone on shore; but he beha
tho ZEE nobly. Another individual told n
had that after the boat had made the LEI
ohio of the Lachine, the Indian who hi
81 guideo her through the passage, thrt
mel up his cap and made three leaps alo
,arfnl the deck, manilesting the greatest
,d;ta- umph at his success.
,ilder | enquired of Captain HilliaI
Id whether any preparation had been ma
,,,ros for their preservation in case of &C
!, eve- dent; he said there had not. Th'
,s of was none, not even an extra plank
St spar, as he feared that had any tn
the Of the kind been seen by the crew
ritual "white feather might have bt
sane shown.
: oh But few persons knew that 1t was
rrat;fv ended to bring the boat down the
;ooI or Ids, and the inhabitants OF the
- cir were astonished when they learned
,99ugbt feat which had been performed;
offbe had the boat passed down to Que
the instead of remaining in Montreal,
,,nr;ty ny would not have believed that
listed voyage had been made
empt-
hin US Some who tnihk ne wv s''oi''
Of this vettheIess find it long enough to
IS an live their characters, their constltut