Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-07-24
CONGRESS.
THuRsDAy, july p, 1852.
IN SENATE


and referred TO appropriate committees:
by MIR. HAMLlN: From Henry A. Amelung asking
appropriation to test plan for preventing steamboats,
and other vessels from sinking. which he denomnates
marine safety attachment" The appropriation asked for
is $1,000 His process consists Of flexible cassoons or
mattresses air and water tight to be placed underneath
the main deck and between the mbsrs which support it.
They are not to interfere with the storage of the
The cassoons TO be single separate with stop-cock
attached with air tube running the whole length Of
the vessel to be inflated by arpump worked by hand
or steam when inflated they would afford air space suf-
hcent to bring up boat however deeply laden, render
ing impossible for the vessel to sink below the lower
deck This would eecualy preserve the lives of pas
sengers and the hull well cargo not Immediately
perishabe The memorialis thinks his invention would
relieve the from necessity of insurance on the
hull against sinking and reduce very materially the rates
of insurance.
BY Mr.. BRODHEAD From citizens of Blair county,
Pennsylvania asking that the bin providing payment OF
the fourth nstament of the depostes of the public lands
directed be made with the States by the act OF June
%, 1886, may become law
SCHOOL LANDS.
On motion by Mr. BORLAND, the Senate proceeded to
consider the bill allowing exchanges of and granting adj
dtional school lands in the several States which contain
public lands and for other purposes which, after being
explained and amended by Mr. b. after reply from Mr.
DAWSON, ordered to be engrossed and read third
time.
SHIP CANAL ROUND THE FALLS OF ST MARY.
On motion by Mr. FELCH the Senate proceeded to
consider the bill granting the State of Michigan the
right of way and donation of public land for the con-
strucon Of ship canal around the Falls of St. Marys
in said State
Mr. F. moved to substitute the following in the place
of the bill amended by the Committee on Public Lands
Resolced dc. That the Secretary of War be and he is
hereby authorised and directed with the lowest
bidder bidders after public notice given in the usual man
letting contracts for the construction of ship canal
around the Falls of St Marys in the State of Michigan
which canal shall be less than hundred feet wide and
twelve Deep with single locks not less than three hun
bred and fifty feet long and evenyfve feet wide with such
piers and other appurenance SHALL in the opinion of said
Secretary required for the safe and proper of said
nal Pocded That said Secretary may enter into separate
for such different portions Of the work in construct
said canal he shall deem conducive to the public nte
rest and the aggregate of all said contracts shall not
exceed hundred thousand dollars which shall be paid
ing always equal twenty per centum the
of work performed until the whole be completed And pror
ed further That the contractor contractors shall perform
the werk under such instructions and the
said Secretary shall deem and proper the
faithful execution Of the contracts and shall give such ample
security for the performance thereof he shall direct and
approve Aad prorded further That such
shall have the right of taking from any of the lands
of the United States and other materials for the
structon of said canal and its appurtenances.
The amendment led to long and somewhat animated
discussion, in which Messrs. FELCH, CASS, DAWSON,
PRATT, and SMITH participated and without any ques
ton having been taken, the further consideration of the
subject was postponed until Monday.
On motion by Mr.. GWIN the Senate proceeded to the
consideration of Executive business and after time
spent therein the doors reopened and the Senate
adjourned