The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-06-19
PASSAGE OF TIE ST. LAWRENCE RAPIDS
BY THE STEAMER CANADA-DTRECT |
TRADE OF THE LAKES WITH EUROPE AND
THE WEST INDIES.

fASSAGE Of TIE ST. LAWRENCE RAPIDS
BY THE STEAMER CANADA-DfRECT
TRADE OF THE LAKES WITH EUROPE AND
THE WEST INDIES.
Correspondence Of the Buffalo Commercial
MONTREAL, June 8.
The steamers Canada and "America" were
built two years ago by the Great Western r. Il.
Co. of Canada, to run in connection with their line
of road from Toronto to Kingston, Prescott and
Ogdensburgh, touching at intermediate ports
They cost f96, 900 sterling, nearly half million
of dollars. The route proving Improbable, they
afterwards sold to their present owner N p
Stewart, Esq. They are 800 feet long, SIS feet
breadth of beam, have II feet depth of hold, 800
American tonnage, andare propelled by two engines
made at the West Point Foundry, and costing each
1000. The cylinders are y inches, and have a
twelve feet stroke The boats had become entirely
useless upon Lake Ontario, the railroads having,
on that magnificent Lake on Lake Erie produced
state of things bad enough to make the steamers
lament, with Othelo, that their Occupation is
gone"
The steamer Canada left Hamilton at O'Clock
last Saturday evening, and passed through the ca
nal at the foot of Burlington Bay at halfpast s.
The weather was fine, and the lake smooth as Dia-
mas visage. Our well known old acquaintance
Captain Wioughby whom nearly all Buffalonians
will remember, was in command, and to his care all
responsibility of success or failure fully commit
ted by the owner. The next day being foggy Kings
ton was not reached until O'Clock j. NJ. when the
sun showed "a clean face and several little Incl
dents occurred quite as deserving of note as many
OF the British outrages in the southern wa
tiers, but we pass them over. The church bells were
ringing but many who were on their way to church
paid not unwelcome but unlimited visit of search
to this floating palace which was boarded almost
simultaneously by about fifteen hundred persons.
Inc following morning at day-break the Canada
started Tor Montreal on voyage deemed by all on
board to be one of the kind called ''neck moth
ing" The first rapids of Importance, the Long
Saut, whose length is at least miles, are extreme
~ bolsterous, the boiling water heaving up from
TO IL feet high and presenting a view which, to
myself, appears hardly exceeded in magnifcence by
the swell in the middle of the Atlantic ocean after
month OF unceasing and most violent storm, and
the water passes at an enormous speed These were
passed rapidly, the Canada minding her helm rs
easily as bark canoe obeys the paddle and tray
| eled, ] am informed by passenger who was on
board of her, the seven miles in fifteen minutes.
lhence there is smooth water until arriving at
the rapid of the Split Rock, heretofore deemed i'm
PaSsable by any vessel more than two hundred feet
IN length. This the most dangerous part of
the passage, 1t being necessary to make
almost at right angles within a space less than
the length of the steamer, when she going at
the same enormous speed. Huge rocks, whose tops
are scarcely covered with water, appear on either
side of the channel, by the suction becoming en-
tIrely uncovered. The skilled pilot John Rankin
the discoverer of the 'Last Channel in the
Long Saut Rapids, with the dexterity of a skifu
player at billiards making his carom let the bow of
the boat strike the rock fOrcbly on her starboard
side, thereby throwing her stern into the centre of
the channel by the only practicable method, and
permitting her to pass through in safety.
Next, tne Cedtr haplds were reached. They
were passed at the same rate, the boat striking
alike aft and forward but substantial injury was
sustained.
The Lachine Rapids, near Montreal were the
next. Here the Canada again struck. The rocks
here are exceedingly bold, and present a rough and
ragged surface, but were passed in safety and in
short space of time the vessel and her bold Mariners
among whom E. IL. Thomson, Esq. now of De-
troit but who claims Buffalo his tirst-love soon
| glided placidly and exultingly through the abut-
ments of the Victoria Bridge.
This adventure will long be celebrated in the
annals OF the st. Lawrence and the lakes connected
with it. Some of the leaps made by this vessel of
300 feet in length, were six or eight feet in depth
1t is regarded settling the question of an enlarge
ment Of the Canadian locks below Lake Ontario
| Its further effect continuation of these en-
largements to the Welland Canal and, consequent
ly, its Importance in connection with Buffalo you
may determine. Large vessels, it is proved can 90
| down the st. Lawrence, but cannot return An in
creased value is given to the steamers now laid up
in other parts of Lake Ontario as it is proved they
can be taken to the rivers and sounds of the Allan
| tic coast As the credit of this adventure is due
entirely to American enterprise, in the person of
| MIR. Stewart, accomplished in defiance of the eau
lions and decided opinions of the Board of Control
having charge of the public works of this Province,
| have deemed it well worthy of more than merely
passing notice.