, 1858-10-29

Union, and that one drawing twenty inches
can 60 up beyond Fort Benton
The kind Of steamer best adapted to the
service is matter to be carefully consid-
cred. In many places the river is so much
obstructed by Snags as hardly to leave a
paSsage-way for boat: in such cases the
stern-wheel steamer would have the advan-
tage, but in crossing bars and making short
turns, which is so often necessary, as well
to follow the channel as 10 avoid snAgS'
side-wheels would be much preferable. l
am Of the opinion that sidewheel steam
er, built as strong and narrow as possible
in proportion to its length, and drawing
twenty inches Of water, would be the best
one that could be used.
1t is necessary to point out depots for
wood; the voyager has but to land any
where on the river, and plant his axe into
the fine cottonwood forests with which this
magnificent stream is lined. The supply is
inexhaustible."
Lieut.. Doneson's Report is very full
one, but as it embraces that portion Of the
river which has been used by steamers for
many years, we will simply refer our read
ers to it.
Alexander Culbertson, Esq, of ST.
Louis-one Of the principal partners Of the
American Fur Company-has been for
twenty-five years familiar with the Mis-
souri,, having assembled and descended it
many times. He gives in recent letter
the following facts, the results Of his own
personal observation.
"My experience of twenty-five years
shows that steamers with sufficient power,
and drawing three feet Of water, can reach
the mouth Of the Yellowstone without dfi-
colty, during the months Of May, June and
July, and steamers drawing p feet can
pass TO the same point in August, Septem.
Der, and October; and from that point to
Fort Benton, during the months of May
and June, boats drawing two and a half
feet of water can go without any Obstruc-
ten, and can pass ever the rapids without
difficulty. During the months Of July and
August, boats drawing twenty inches Of
water can reach Fort Benton. During
September and October boat drawing
twenty inches of water could reach point
called the "Mauvaises Terres," $50 miles
below Fort Benton, and if provided with
some arrangement in the way of tongs and
chains, could easily remove the detached
rocks and bolders at two points of the
river-Budd's rapids and Dauphin rapids
which are the only distractions necessary
to be removed, ip order to pass without
difficulty to Fort Benton. For the dis
tance between Mau, aises Tsrres" and
Fort Benton, $50 miles, steamer drawing
Is to Is inches Of water can navigate at
the lowest stage Of the water, as there are
no obstructiOns to prevent boat passing
without difficulty.
About the middle of November the ice
begins to form in the river so as to obstruct
navigation, and the river is usually closed
from that time till about the 10th of
April.
AT Fort Benton the temperature is much
warmer than than at Fort Union. At
Fort Benton the river frequently freezes
and thaWs during the winter, while at Fort
Union it remains closed from the time it
first freezes till the spring.
At Fort Benton there is not usually as
much snow during the winter as at Fort
Union, nor does it remain as long on the
ground.
In order properly to navigate the Upper
Missouri, and to take advantage Of the rise
of the water, there should be a steamboat
of light draught constantly kept ready at
the mouth Of the Yellowstone to run when
larger boats are unable.
My opinion is that the navigability Of
the rapids could>be so far improved by re-
moving the boulders and stones now OBJ
structing the stream at the points before
referred to, that steamers drawing two feet
of water could reach Port Benton at the
lowest stage Of the river
This improvement would consist alto
gether in the removal of detached masses
Of rock, and could easily be done at low
water and at small expense.
In reference to the kind Of steamers best
adapted for the river, am of opinion from
my own experience and observation, and
from the views of others Of experience
with whom have consulted, that side
wheel steamer with two separate discon-
nected engines is the best, as such boat
will more easily turn the sudden curves
than any other kind.
The river from St. Louis to Fort Union
has many snags in it, but during the
twenty-five years we have navigated it, we
have never lest boat from that cause.
From Fort Union to Fort Benton there
are but few snags. and the only obstrue-
ton is the rapids
There is plenty Of wood for fuel all the
way from st. Louis to within two hundred
miles Of Fort Benton, but within that dis
tancs, for a space Of about 100 miles, wood
is scarce, though it can be had at few
points.
The river may be considered naVigable
through its whole extent for seven months
of the year The ice at the coolest section
of the river, say Fort Union to Fort Clark,
on on average Of a term Of years, will COM
mence making, so as to obstruct naviga.
ton, about tho goth Nov, and would
break up about the 10th Of April
o. - II