The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-11-11

THE LAKE STEAMERS CHARTERED BY GOVERN
ERSMEST.

THE LAKE STEAMERS CHARTERED BY GOVERN.
ERSMEST.
The names OF the new lake steamers Jus,
chartered BY Government for the Paraguay
expedition are America and Canada. They
were built at Niagara, On the Canada side
in 1854, by the Great Western Railroad
aud are said to have cost 100000 each
They were constructed to run on Lake On.
tario between Hamilton, Ogdensburg, Kings.
ton and other towns. When the Grand
Trunk Railroad went into operation, they
we're no longer required on Lake Ontario
they were sold by the Great Western Road
to n. r. Stewart, Of Detroit, who still owns
them. The steamers left Hamilton for
Montreal about the LIST Of May last. They
laid up at the latter place until the LIST Of
September, when they sailed for this port,
coming round through the Gulf of st. Law.
renee. Capt. West, son of Capt. James
West, OF the Atlantic, brought the America
round. The boats were out on the sea dur
ing fearful stoIm, and Capt. West said be
never saw ships ride the sea more beautiful
" than they did. They reached this port
in December, and have since been laying up
at Hunters Point, till Tuesday, when the
Canada was taken down to Mr.. Sneyden's
yard TO have her guards cut away.
The model Of the steamers is very like
that OF the Sound boats; they are three
hundred feet long on deck, 80 feet beam, Is
feet hold will carry 1900 tons, and accom-
modate 800 passengers. They draw be.
tween eight and nine feet Of water. The
Parana and Paraguay rivers have nine feet
10 their channels up to Assumption
The boats have the guards built up before
and aft of the wheels into splendid state
rooms, bath rooms, barber saloon, water
closets, and the like. These are all going
to be cut away to within two feet OF the
hull, leaving the wheels standing out promi-
nently like an ocean steamer. The guards
are cut away in order that the boats may
the better stand the sea in going down to
Paraguay. The stater0oms on board these
two steamers are larger, better fitted up,
and more convenient than on any OF the
Sound steamers; water is conveyed through
pipes into every stateroom, where there is
washstand and basin, like rooms in q
hotel. The bed curtains are Of fine lace.
The ladies' stateroOms In particular deserve
commentator for their capacity, and con-
venience aad elegance of furniture. The fur
niture OF the saloons will compare iavorably
with that of the Sound steamers. The win
dOws in the upper saloon are stained and
painted with taste and art. The scenery
around Niagara Falls in particular, is well
developed and presented. All the cutlery,
plates, &c, used on the boat was made ex.
pressly for them in Glasgow, each article
having the name OF one OF the steamers print.
ed on it.
They have commenced work on the Am
erica at Hunters IT. where she is laying on
the ways. They are going to sheath her in
q inch plank, and trunnel and copper her,
take of her guards within two feet of the
hull, and place iron wheels upon her instead
of the present ones When the work on the
America is completed, the Canada will take
her place, and when both are prepared for
sea, they will be delivered into the hands OF
the government at Brooklyn Navy Yard,
which will probably not be for five or six
weeks yet. When government gets through
with the boats their owner proposes to run
them between Valparaiso and Panama.
The government is said to have chartered
them at $4,000 month. They are to carry
artillery and stores to Paraguay, but no
troops.
The other storeships Of the expedition
the Release and another which is being fitted
out at Boston-will very soon be ready to
sail for their destination. The Supply has
received all her stores, and will leave this
port to morrow at II o'clock. She is under
the command of Lieutenant William A.
Parker, and her officers are Lieutenants j.
s. Filebrown, j. q. Maxwell, and Mid
shipman q. S. Perkins.
The steamer Westerport has already re-
celved her marine guard. composed of
twelve non commissioned officers and pri.
Yates, under the command OF Lieutenant
Cohen.
The Metacomet, another Of the vessels,
was built in New York. in 1854, and is 1876
tons burthen. She is a side wheel steamer,
and has q vertical engine with one cylinder
thirty-six inches in diameter and ten feet
stroke. The hull is built of oak and chest.
nut, and fastened with copper and iron.
She is schooner rugged, and her draught is
FIVE feet.
The steamer NJ W. Chaplin was built in
Philadelphia, in 1856, and is go tons bur
then. She has vertical engine, with one
twenty.iour inch cylinder and two feet
stroke. The hull is built Of oak. and is
fastened with iron and copper. She has
one deck, and draws six feet Of water.
The following are the names Of the yes
sells composing the squadron
oflcsrs. Men Guns.
Frgate Sabine. ........-..&5 COO 80
st. Lawrence. 20 500 so
Brig Of War Perry 10 80 6