The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-09-14
From tho Chicago Tribune.
Steam Navigation ON the Erie Canal a
Probable Success.


Probable Success.
The experiment trip of the steam cana
boat P. l.. Sternberg from Rochester, to
Buffalo, with Governor King and the Ca
nal Commissioner as witnesses, seems to
have settled the question of the practicable
ity of substituting steam for horse power
in canal navigation. The progress from
Rochester To Buffalo was series OF tri-
umphs and congratulations, and on the ar
rival of the boat at tho latter point the de-
monstraton was such as had no parallel
since the first boat passed westward
through the Erie canal, something more
than thirty years ago. The enthusiasm
at the successful result Of the experiment
took tho lead of that which was elected
by the simultaneous celebration Of the sue
cess of the Atlantic telegraph. The Com
merciai even'goes 30 far as to say that the
former event will be ofgreater material sd-
vantage to Buffalo than the latter.
We arc inclined to believe that our CO.
temporary had good reasons Tor this conclu-
sion, The Governor and the canal Com
missionors were evidently of tho same opin
ion, as was also Horatio Allen, Esq, of tho
Novelty Works, who witnessed the expert
mcnt, and who, from his long familiarity
with steamboat building, WAS we'll qali'
fed Judge The actual results Of the ex'
pertinent were, that the Sternberg ascen
ded the canal from Rochester to Buffalo
o. rGl.s carving so tons, against cur
. speed of NEARLY four miles an hour, nu'
4 raising a wave on the banks not cyceedin:
I four inches. These facts, Mr.. Ruggles
the new Canal Commissioner, introduces
into his speech, and added:
"Fello,c. citizens of Buffalo: have q
adequate words in which TO expatlate 0
tho consequences Of this performance. gu
fice it to say that it raises the canal to Il
4, highest dignity as al engine OF commer'
., -trapsmuting it from an unartlhclal an
and clumsy contrivance, deriving Its ei'
Of cheney from brute, animal power, TO si'
Of ole niece of harmonious mechanism reg
r lated by science, and acting solely in oD
ii, dience to human will and intellect. III
If lifeless canal barge, floating helPlessiy
by bout in tho harbors Of our crowded citi'
d. now become living, seli'movlng. wal
be house, capable Of taking any position
he ouired. without expense or delay; thus
(ul hibitiue superiority, for commercial p
a noses. over the immovablo railway dep
Die accumulsting at the termiui OF the re
ng the masses which it carries"
The previous experimental trip OF
steam canal boat from Buffalo to Alba
and back was in some respects quito as
isfsctory in It's results as that OF tho Ste
hcro. and the former led TO the latter.
hot What now remains to be done by
ish.' people of New York is to complete u
d canal cnlar. cment as speedily as rossl
ION That done, and we have little doubt
~ tho applcation of steam to canal boats
e ora prove profitable as well as practca
me Gen. Bruce, one Of the spectators at
nity falo, dwelt forcibly on this point, aud
hleh nrobablc that the success Of tho late ex
mas iment will inspire the people at largo
IN n determination TO have tho enlargen
completed at the earliest practicable
ment. The greatly increased busines
the canal during the present season. IN
sequence of the reduction OF tolls on
n opeu;ng of navigation. furnished ST
y argument in favor Of an early enlargen
and the additional argument presente
the application Of steam as motive
or cannot bo long resisted.
al The people of tho Northwest hav
pop, ;n,oroet in the success of this new
=. - prise hardly second to that felt by he
ple of New York. Whatever ten'
cheaper the transportation Of their pro
TO the seaboard, and at tho same III
shorten tho time required to accom-
Siss, SIss,' the object, not only puts money in
wyer pockets, but simpliies tho opcratio
trade, and renders tho results more
l., tain. Tho steam on the Erie canal
li.s. still further cheaper transportation
liofsl can be no doubt, anu IL Wou'u "i'o . !.
e dance erably shorten the time between
81. d and Albany, so that it would suppl
MT. tho required desiderata.