The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-07-24

STEAM NAVIGATION OF THE UPPER DELAWARE
An interesting experiment is to be ma 70 the
present week, to test the practicability of nav
eating, by steamboats,, the Delaware river, be
tween the head Of tide water a. Trenton, and the
Blue Ridge valley, Easton. This part of tn,
river parallel with the Pennsylvania State canal
Delaware division), which extends along the
western bank of the Delaware, from Bristol (twenty
miles above Phladelphia) to Easton, sixty miles.
TIE proposed extent Of steam navigation above
Trenton is about fifty miles, by the course of the
river.
The steamboat Major William Barnet, has been
built to try the experiment of running from Cam
den, opposite Philadelphia, to Lam bertville, and
thence regularly to Easton, or, it may be, to
siderable distance above that place. This steam
boat is l20 feet long, 20 feet beam, 3 feet hold,
fiat bottomed, and draws II inches of water. Her
engine was made in Maine, has 8 feet stroke,
and Of 80 horse power. The diameter of the
wheel is II feet.
The most difficult par. Of the enterprise will be
ton bridge and Lainbertv.e. If she arrives a, the
latter place, the Trenton True 1afneriola says
her ow1ors are sure Of several fortunes.
The Major w. Barnet, is expected TO pass under
the bridge a. Trenton this morning. Cruosdi y) at
high tide, between 10 and II o'clock. If successful
she will leave Lambertvllc for i;aston early on
Wednesday morning. Her arrival at Lambertville
Is to be celebrated by the firing OF cannon, the
performance Of brass band, the spreading OF "a
collation., the delivering If address, and other
manifestations of public joy.
The section Of New Jersey. bordering on the Della
wayA above the rapids at Trenton, has immense
undeveloped resources, to which steam navigation
or railroads would prove highly beneficial The
tedious stage, the cumbrous wagon, and the
wielCy raft, arc now the con vcniences depended
for travel ard transportation, in that be rutiful,
cd and - 90 . hnt..
that this prize may prove successful.
1t is probable, however, that the chain Of rail-
roads will ere lorg be extended north from Lam
bertville and TteIton, through New Jersey, to
point opposite EastOD, AID eventually TO Port Jer
Wis. on the Erie Railro id
From Easton q Port Jorvis is 20 miles. and il
was proposed some years since, to extend the Della
were Canal of Pennsy lvania. abqve Eastoa TO Car
renters Point, rear Port Jervis, where 1t would
connect with the Delaware and IIu ison Canal. and
form continuous canal from Bristol, os the Della
ware, to Eondout or Kingston, on the North River,
100 miles 2i0 miles from Philadelphia. The
route Of the canal from Easton to Carpenters
Point, surveyed in 1927 and the cost estim ,ted
at 81 $500 il is curious that the Phiadelphans
have neglected il.
The attempt 10 navigate the Delaware above
Trenton. referred TO in the foregoing. proved un-
successful. The steamboat Major w. Barnet made
the effort on Tuefday I'D instant, but the water in
the Delaware was so shallow that she grounded
about an eighth Of n mile above the br lge a..
Trenton; then backed out and returned, much to
the disappointment of the numerous spectators
Another attempt will be made when the river rises
above the rapids. There were about twenty per-
sens o. heard, at this trial.