The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-16
WASHINGTON, July II, 1916.
TIE Water Uitch--A Fight-7h Railroad to the

Inc Water Wttch--A Fight-Ihe Railroad 10 his
Pacific.
There are no vessels on the stocks at our Navy
yard, bur AT the wharf there is litte iron boat,
called the Water Witch, built originally TO con-
vey water TO our vessels of war at Norfolk. She
was taken TO Phliadelphia some time since, and
had her proportions increased, and new set of
machinery put into her, by contract, somewhat
on the plan OF the Princeton Bat was told yes
terday, by one the employees of the yard, that
the machinery does not answer, and is TO be re-
moved; and, further, that wheels are to BIO placed
on her sides. IL is thought that something will
be made of her, and that she can be profitably
employed III The Gulf do not know the value
oil the vessel, but II seems to me the repairs and
alterations Will come TO more than il will ever
be worth.
Several days ago, man, formerly clerk in
one oil the departments, was so ungalant as 10
abuse, on the public avenue, lady with whom
ne had boarded. The lady called on Young
gentleman To protect her; and while he was re-
m)nstrating, the man struck him with stick
breaking the collar bone. The gentleman had
stepped from ms store TO gets drink at the pump
near 10y, and, having umbler in his hand, he
threw II al the man. The lumber struck him in
the eye, and almost cut 1t out of its socket. The
gentleman, II IL sad, regrets hal the missile had
SO bad an effect; but, under the circumstances,
there can justly attach no blame.
n very Interesting report was made Yesterday
from the Committee on Roads and Canals. A
number OF memorials had been reieru 10 them
IN iavor oil the construction OF a railroad from
New Yo'k to the Pacific ocean, and they re 90 RI
adverselyfor the following reason. ;-'' By refer.
ence 10 me map, II Will be seen that the propose
route IS not on the top OF range OF noun, aims
out, like all other similar routes, thr ugh lofiy
ranges, II passes through gorge, and numerous
ushles, overhung by rocks, and 10y mountain peaks
OF the most terrific altitude. These mountains.
through and among which the asked for railroad
would run, are from seven thousand TO sixteen
thousand feet Ugh. In two places the road would
have to be eight thousand feet above the level
Oh the sea- Aulld these vast sotudes the snow
musi necessarily drllt IN heaps of mountain mag
nltude; and 1t is said, lies unmelted during the
greater portion of the year. If the art of man
could, by any possibility contrive to remove at a
Tsasonaoie expense, these vast masses of snow, it
could not prevent return of the labor every
wintry storm. And these storms appear late IN
the spring, as Well as early in the fall, for the
rams OF lowlands are all induces of SHOWS in the
mountains. When it rains in he valleys il gene
rally SHOWS on the mountains, except in very
warm weather. Again, if the immense masses
oil snow TO be removed extended but "A few miles
the dfhculty might be overcome but when the
great iehg,h OF the road over the snowy region is
cnn>idered, the difficulty becou es insuperable =
Sixteen hundred and sixty.five miles of the road
are upwards OF halt a mile high, and eight hum
dred eet over" Therefore II is 81 G. to saw ,hot
the work coald not be accomplished for one hun
dIcd millions OF dollars.
The committee, however, have reported bill
approprlatlng S25,000 for a survey of the Inner
Missouri, Columbia, and Clark rivers. and the
north passage OF the rocky mountains for the
purpose Oh ascertalnlng the possibility OF opening
cheap and easy communication betu cen the
navgable waters of the Missour and Columbia
MYERS, and to estimate the probable cost of con-
s'r"cung soch improvements. FELIX.