Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-09-08
THE CANAL IRON STEAMER.

| We are tempted to write a very long article upon
the agreeable and interesting Excursion which we took
up the James River Canal, Wednesday last, in the
Governor Me Dowel-the first Iron Steamer which has
hoated in waters-the first steam Argonant-the
first pioneer Of iron steamboat navigation beau
tfu canal The want of time and space, however,
cuts short pruning wing, and REDUCES soaring
fight 10 very limited compass. The Governor Mo.
Dowell is built of iron in city. 1t is moved
by Ericksons Propeller-hut in consequence of
allowing for too great tepth of water in the
canal, IN the first instance, Is en,erpusing pro-
pretors have been compelled change IT'S
chincry, from time to tune portion of the
chinery was actually put IN on The night before the
excursion. 1t had never been tried at all-lhe whole
machinery, too, worked rough-and there had been
satisfactory opportunity to observe and to remedy sny
defects which might occur IN the construction The
projectors well the public, had become impatient
and the former determined, at all events, make
rough trial Of the working Of the machinery. We had
several officers of the Government IN company Ohio
Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General Second AUDI.
tor, Treasurer, &C., some of the officers of the Rail
Read Company, besides several of the respectable
citizens Of Richmond.
The steam was not up, and the boat did not
start before o'clock Shs draws about ii,ern
inches OF water. The ripple which her mach.
merry produced on the surface of the water be
hind her, does not calculated 10 injure the
banks of the canal. She went the frat and second
miles in thirteen and three quarter minutes each. THIS
space is below the first locks, and, in this distance,
there is more current towards the BASIN than there
10 above, IN consequences of the draft occasoned BY the
mills, &c. The two miles, between the first locks
were done in about twenty five, twelve and half
minutes each mile. No regular computation taken
Of the rest of the excurson-but, return after
night II was supposed that the last mile have been
run off at the rate oil six miles hour. Some Of the
company suggested some inventions 10 calculate her
speed Among these, Colonel ID mmock OF Ports
mouth, one OF the principal proprleors and gentleman
OF great Intelligence and energy of character, who pro-
poses some changes IN the sm"keppe Mr. Baxter con
sidered that the ha;ches fault, and attributed
the increased velocity, al The close of the cxped,uon
to partial removal of that objection. Her screws
revolved only about foiy times The minute,
stead OF eighty, which 10 necessary 10 give her
the maximum Of her velocity But pronounce
1t as the opinion of perhaps all the company, that
the experiment must ultimately succeed-tr'umphant.
ly-and that alter some more trials, and some fur
Their appliances, the speed of the boat may be So Tar
improved, as TO become generally employed upon
canal and emnenily useful in the transportation OF pas
sengers and OF produce, (by steam tow boats) They
hail il, as most merltor,ous enterprlze-and a one
leading ultimately TO the connection between ,he James
River and the Wes,eru waters-which Col Dmmuch,
in clear and beautiful speech, demonstrated 10 be 70
much nearer than the connection by Baltimore, Phla-
dephia, New York, and New Ofleans-besldes, avof-
ing much Of the lncemency OF the winter, by more
Nortbern route, and the nsalubrI,y of tie climate
by Southern route. There was perhaps, not gem
eman, who did not leave The boat, with sincere thanks
to the prof ecors for their spirit of sDterpze with pro-
found wishes for their success, and with decided M
vlcon, that if it does not altogether succeed to-day
il must to- morrow, next month, or next year we
assembled about fourteen miles up the canal, aud
returned before eight o'clock after beng passed
through the several locks, &c, &c. We shsll
not pretend TO describe the agreeable and sumPtu"us
DINNER, or the variety of sentiments, speeches, ana
songs "a very agreeable collection y with which tie
entertainment was embell,shed Long 1--we the Cover
nor Mcdowell, say we-and success TO her bold ana
enlerprlsing projectors.