Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-09-08


Canal. We wish success to the undertaking most
heartily.
STEAMER Gov. Mcdowell
To the Editor Of the IVhig:
Dear Sir-Tn compliance with my promise sit down to
give you of my trip board the Steamer Nc
Dowell, on "Wednesday last
In compliance with the of the invitations, large
party assembled the boat yard III o'clock, under
the hope and expectation OF starting immediately. All
pleasures however, doomed to have drawback; and
found the arrangement OF some portion OF the
boats machinery which took somewhat than two
hours to rectify. That time employed varousy, IN
laughing, talking, promonadng and examining the boat
all being prepared, and apparently determined TO ENJOY
themselves the utmost yet all participating IN some de-
gree, in that irrabty and anxiety which never
fails to attend hope deferred. IemplOyed that interval
in collecting the following details promising, that If any
doubt of the eventual of the scheme still fingers
about the breast any one this experiment has been suf
cient dispcl il at
The Governor Mcdowell is ninety feet long and thirteen
feet wide; she draws only thirteen inches OF iron, and
can accommodate, WELL fifty passengers On pinch, no
doubt, half many again might be stoned d'edy EN-
IRENE depth of the propeller guard thythrec inches She
has shafts of oryeght feet each, and seven bearings
under each shaft She laborcd this first uP, under two
disadvantages attendant upon all boats In the first
place. she leaked smary and the propretors not having
their pump rugged, and thinking it necessary TO put II
in order for short trip unable OF course 10 obvi
ate the disadvantage This made materially against her
speed on this 1t may be here state,
that the pump is fixed, preparatory to her tip to
Lynchburg, which takes place to-day. This difficulty,
therefore is gotten over have been informed by gen.
eman well acquainted with the subject that all iron boats
leak considerably first. The second disadvantage, 10
which alude the roughness OF the machinery; which
has not been worked enough of the we-edge and
acquire the degree polish necessary smooth,
effective and regular work. single trip TO Lynchburg
thought, will effect this necessary and desirable end
You desired be particular with regard the speed
the boat and her capacity Of preserving it the end Of
her Journey This is after all, the point and upon
this point | will enghen you far as lies in my power
There Is present, be acknowledged, and the pro-
prieors very far from wishing to conceal the fact de-
icency of steam. assured, however that this is
defect which be remcdied without any difficulty, and
with very little expense, either by introducing blower,
by lengthenng the chmnos understand It is the nten
of these gentlemen proceed, Immediately to the oh
Walton OF tins difficulty; and when shall have been olivia
aed should Judge, and sustained in my judgment
ny the opinion of others far better informed upon the sub
than pretend to be- that she will make in the
nal miles hour and in the river eightbeng
rage Of between six and miles hour She cacu-
laes making the entire including oppages the
locks and other places, tweny-sx hours feel hest
taton saying hat, my opinion this calculation
her speed, ut least low, as it is likely prove. think
may be justified them in predicting triumph
this experiment
So much for the boat her capacities and her prospects
few details OF during the trip may prove
unntcrcsuug to your readers.
The Company informed you, assembled at eleven
O'Clock Among them, the ID Auditor, the Attorney
General the Lieutenant Governor, the Postmaster of
City, of the Editors of the Enquirer (ihe Senior and
Junior par,no and the Editor Of the Compiler. Ny eyes
sought in vain for the Corporal and two whom
mistook for him; but when came put my hands him.
like the lrishman's flea, he "want thar. knew not how
for this absence until learned, poor fellow that
his eyes not yet "out oil pickle" and that he still
engaged the necessary, but by agreeable task of
restoring them their original freshness to him
in this and every other laudable undertaking.
We put off from the wharf, nearly as / could Judge
about half past o'clock, amid the cheers OF large
concourse Of people who had assembled to witness the
spectacle. Exutauon in every heart Joy in every
counienancc Those sentiments succeeded and usurped
the place, Of the restless feeling of anticipation, with
which had u.l been distracted for nearly hours
while the disorders Of the machinery were in process OF
board Canal Boat lying still. lifted up his and neigh.
ed aloud. The poor fellow seemed catch the spirit Of
hary from the crowd Of passengers the windows and
greeted them in the liyecst tones Of which he master
lie doubt thought this method Of 'geng along" much
better thar his plan Of wJrAng his passage" and
agreed with him in opinion The shores OF the Canal from
the Basin to the Armory lined with a crowd Of oil
kinds Of persons Of every colour and every class under the
sun White men and negroes, respectable men and vega.
bonds