The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-31

Something new has at last occurred even in New
York, where we have 80 many things, and in the
nineteenth century, when enterprise and the spirit
of profitable specuations are tn order Of the day
We refer TO an iron steamboat building in this
city, and nearly completed, to run on Lake Titcaca
on one of the peaks OF the Andes in Peru. Through
the politeness of the builder, Mr.. George Brkbeck
jr., we have been enabled to obtain the subjoined
interesting particulars Of the construction of the
vessel.
She is contracted for by Messrs. Aguirre and Gal
way, of this city, and swholy formed of iron; with
two small engines of ten horse power each, inclined
and working at right angles The vessel is fifty
FIVE feet the keel has depth of hold of five feet
with twelve feet beam. Her paddle wheels are ten
feet diameter, and also of iron She will have
saloon ON deck, with pilot and wheel houses and
side houses. The whole is built from No 8 boiler
plate, and OF the best material (Pennsylvania irony
and workmanship. When loaded, the boat will
draw not more than two feet water.
II may not be generally known that Lake Tit
caca, the destination of this vessel is situated at the
summit of one of the highest peaks of the Andes in
South America, near the boundary of Peru, and
under the Jurisdiction OF that country II is in the
vicinity OF La PaZ, and quite near Mt. Sorato, the
highest mountain in America-somc five miles
above the level of the The speculation, we
derstand, is to drive trade with the hunters and
woodsmen along the borders of the lake, which has
a length OF about one hundred and forty miles
amply sufficient to establish very respectable
coasting trade in those upper regions ofthe world,
with the aid Of this first steam enterprise ever
thought OF for such purpose. The trade OF the
vessel will consist mainly in the freightage of
furs, wool. and lumber, which will probably be
brought down from the head waters and upper por-
tons of the lake to its foot, and thence despatched
on mule back down the mountain TO clothe and
warm the inhabitants in the slower regions" We
imagine that this speculation will work very much
for the interest of all the parties concerned.
Particular instructions have been given the builder
TO have the boat 1--WE would call it by name, ii it
had one) very strongly constructed, the lake be-
ing sometimes exceedingly rough, with hard winds,
requiring almost sea-going vessel for its naviga-
ton. The boat will be transported thither in pieces
of three hundred and fifty lbs. EACH packed in
boxes or otherwise shipped hence for Lima or some
other seaport town of Peru and thence transported
To its ultimate destination the backs of mules, in
pieces of the weight before mentioned, Of which
is TO be the load for one animal
Arrived at the lake, several thousand feet above
the sea, the packs are TO be unshipped and the
whole affair reconstructed by mechanics sent out
for the purpose by the builder--who has also
tracted to furnish all the extra pieces of machinery
most liable to be broken or spoiled and also a com
plete set of tools sufficient to put up the entire YES
sell with portable forge if necessary. The con
tractor makes himself responsible for the boat and
engine being in complete and perfect order when
placed at its destination and should any piece be
wanting, to furnish il Immediately.
With these arrangements and agreements, the
vessel will be ready for duty within short time
after her arrival out, and will doubtless prove a
source IF great amazement to those among the "na-
tive" Pcruvians, who may not have been 30 fully
impressed their neighbors by the enterprising
spirit and universal genius of the Yankee nation.
The boat, we understand from the builders,
will be complete and ready for shipment in the early
part of November. The whole will be put together
in thorough order before shipment, that the
scriptural Injunction see that every part be fifty
joined together in one body" will be fully obeyed
After that the vessel will be ready for her peculiar
service. Her total cost, should have said be-
fore, is $500; and her manufacture reflects great
credit upon the buder.-Netp York Tribune.