New-York daily tribune., 1854-09-09
CANADA.
Prom Our Own Correspondent.

Prom Our Own Correspondent
QUEBEC, Monday Sept. 4, 1854.
A few DAYS ago / came down the great river of
which the navigation is made free to American
vessels by the Reciprocity treaty-the st. Law
renee. Its navigation would be impossible to
strangers, could they not avail themselves of the
aid Of pilots; but with their assistance it be-
comes easy. In many places the river is several
miles wide: but it is studded with thousands of
islands of all shapes and sizes, and the shoals and
rapid, with which abOunds render the greatest pos
sbe attention necessary 10 keep the vessel in the
nayigable channels 1t is well ighted but there are
portions Of il which cannot be navigsted IN the night,
except by bright moonlight. These are the diferen;
rapids, five in number, viz: the Long Saul, the
Cedars, the Split Rock, the Cascsdes, and the
JaohDs rapids OF these, the first occurs below
Cemwall ard the remainder are all between that
point and Montreal. The navigation of these rapids,
which are, altogether several miles III length is prae-
tcable only By steamers. Sailing vessels nave 20
take the canals, both in going up and down, con-
struced by the side OF the river to overcome the rap
ids And even steamers cannot ascend the rapids
in going up they, too have to take the canals. 1he
canals are Of course only long enough TO overcome
the rapids the other parts of the river ali kinds OF
craft 70 up and down Ii is singular fact, but it is
fact nevertheless that the 81. Lawrence canals
invariably open from 20 to 80 days sooner than the
- tsrie Canal
Whether the large body Of water that courses down
the ST. Lawrence breaks up the ice early in tue
spring, from whatever cause water Is let INTO the
canals end navigation OF them commences consldera-
bly, sooner than that Of the Erie Canal Inc norm
channel of the Long Saut has always been considered
the most dangerous of these rapids. The two chan
nos az this point OF the river are formed by large
island IN the center, or perhaps little nearer the
sou,h than the north shore. OF the two, the north
channel is the shortest and its waters are the more
violent The south channel is not less difficult to
navigate on account of IT'S being narrower ana ITS
vindiDgs more sudden. The north channel, which
for a long time called the - lost channel is
ffNa upty uaed Y
steamers. have been down both these channels
within the last three months In the north channel
the waters run with tremendous rapidly carrying
the vessel, if 10 believe Capt Carys!er OF the
New Era, at the Tate of forty miles an hour. Whea-
ever steamer goes down this channel, person on
deck would suppose that the wind was blowing per-
feet gale No matter how mild the day may be, this
will he case. The gale, however, is only imaginary
The strength OF the current of air is due solely to the
rapidty with which you are carried along Tolook at
hesgitated waters tumbliDg over the hidden rocks al
the bottom Of the river, with their breaking waves
Orrsther breakers that do not rise to the dignity of
waves oer cred with fOam the idea OF gale would
be strengthened; but il is only necessary 10 look at
ke undsnibed foliage of the trees on the islauds or
the nver banks, to dispel the illusion. In gong down
one Of the rapids, the head carrent oil wnd Is very
strong. IL OF them the agitation OF the waters
sufficient 80 give the vessel pitch similar TO that
felt the ocean III moderately disturbed sea-
Among the channels that wind between ~
ue Split Rock rapids IL one that mas always oeeh
rocks waeh rise too near the surface, but over whch
vessels Of considerable size have hitherto passed.
The Department OF Public Works has taken IN hano
70 blast hess rocks, and persons have been employed
70 make the preliminary examination. IL is ander,
stood that new channel has been discovered; aud
hat the blasting process contemplated Will now De
rendered unnecessary. Difficult as the navigation
o. these rapids may appear 10 person unsccus-
Toned with such matters ii is fact that scarceiy
any accidents have occurred in them. The diifi-
culty resolves Itself solely ntO question Of steer-
ing and 50 long a. the pilot and the helmslnen do
iher duty, and the steering apparatus does not give
way, thsie can be no danger. But If tue chsns
which control the rudder should give way the vessel
must be dahed 10 pieces upon the first shSal rock
Or bank spso which il mi Sht be driven. The taaals
by which these rapids are overcome among tue
hnest in the world, being Of sufficient size to admit
,he passage OF the largest steamers Lake Ontario
vessels for England have passed down them and the
misfortune is shst they not Of sufficient capacity
20 ADMIT the largest craft which the Atlantic.
When they we're built they were large enough for the
ordinary of vessels that then crossed the Atlanc
bat the tendency has OF late been 10 increase
the size and tunnAge Of sea going vessels. There
may arise necessity for the enlargement OF n so
chbes; and in that case Toronto would become the
sfef port Of the direct trade between England and
Upper Canada have said 60 much about rapids
snc other distractions 10 the getion of the 81,
Lawrence that the reader VIII be 10 some danger OF
concluding there is no smooth sailing on that
nNer. Let bin not however, cherish that gloomy
ano mistaken idea. There Ia much o. the navigation
~ ha' rver which is not only easy 70 the mariner
'Vi 70 The Traveller delightful, FROM tbe splendid