Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-04-05
STEAMER FOR CANALS.

We had the pleasure of Witnessing Monday, the launch
of steamboat fitted with novel propeller, and intended for
towage the transportation Of passengers canals Il
built BY Messrs. EAsBY, under the supervision Of Mr. PET
rBoSr Of the company Of gentlemen to whom il be-
longs In the opinion Of competent judges the model and
finish Of the boat worthy Of the high reputation already
enjoyed by the Il is about feet long,
upwards Of nine feet BEAM and with all its machinery and
equipments, viii not draw than fifteen inches
Her dimensions comparatively small but the boat has
been necessarily built suit the locks Of the Rappahan-
mock canal which she is to ply. These locks are sixty
feet by ten.
The plan Of propulsion attracted attention. well from
simplicity Of construction its evident exemption from the
objections which all other wheels propele liable
correspondent furnishes the following description off
1t consists Of single paddle about three feet in length
and about foot in breadth CENTRE taperng towards the
ends and is worked by very simple cenvance the
plan with which 10 used when employed in scuilng
Mere observation alone would almost satisfy that il will
produce none Of the injurious agitation Of the which
hitherto has prevented the employment of steam in canals
But the projectors and others have demonstrated BY repeated
experiments, that its motion produces scarcely perceptbe
ripple. This invention Of Mr. BoSD, of Philadelphia sup
plies the long felt desderaum in canal navigation, and great
credit is due Mr. PETTIBorE and bis associates for their
energetic enterprise in speedily bringing forward into prac
ca operation an invention Of such vast importance to the
country TIE engine Of ten-horse power, built by Mr.
McKIssrRY, will be set in few days when the citizens Of
Washington will have opportunity of Witnessing the per-
formance Of this important invention
is be supposed that speed the great object to be
attained in canal navigation though have doubt that
when nducemen is given for the construction Of passen
ger boats speed sufficient to satisfy the impaence Of
travellers will be attained by these prope. The
prise yet in its infancy, but it is proved that will fulfil all
that is expected promised, constant and economical
mode of towage
The advantages be derived from boats fitted by these pro-
pelers will briefly First The cost Of good
A. 49, e
universally employed. Second There will be considerable
reduction in the expense Of transportation, the running of the
engine being less expensive than feeding the animals Third
An ordinary canal boat may be fitted with one of these pro-
pele and its machinery with loss Of not feet
sowage and if this boat be employed also in towing
another there will be such loss cabin need be
qued in only Fourth The depth Of water required is
small that there is canal which will admit them
Fifth coniiLsous propulsion Is obtained in those
communications, where there is combination Of slack
and canal and the labor and time of propeng the boats by
hand where there is no tow-path, are saved These
among some Of the positive advantages to be derived from this
enterprise
Nor should the Government, we think, neglect to take
advantage Of this invention On the survey Of
these boats would be of ncalculabs service One might be
constructed for each division Of the survey such light
draught that the officers, with all the necessary comforts and
with their instruments in perfect security from injury, could
up the shallowest connected with The line Of their
operations. a