Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-07-07
The steam Canal Boat.

The steam canal boat, Enterprise, which left
Cleveland for GAINESVILLE, on Saturday the 18th
inst, did not reach this place until Monday
evening. The reason why it was not swiiter
in its passage, was owing to its being impeded
by grass in the canal, which, being long, would
tangle iu the wheel at times, and occasion delay.
The boat was provided with knives fixed upon
the bottom in such manner as to cut the grass,
but still this does not remove the impediments
proceeding from this source. We should think
that this is the greatest obstacle in the way of
the successful use of steam upon canals, and
this is not so serious that it is not likely to be
partially or wholly obviated or at least suti-
GENTLY so as to render this mode of canalling of
sufficient advantage over the former to enable
it to supereede it, at scme time if not imme-
diately
Along the canal, this new species of boat at
traeted no little attention, many collecting to
see it, as news of its approach preceded it by
| several days.
The day before reaching this place, they went
distance of some thirty miles, on Monday,
about sixteen, only from Roscoe to this place.
They always lay by at night They started on
Tuesday morning for Zanesyille and made a
very handsome speed in the river, where they
had no distractions probably at the rate offive
or six miles an hour She was loaded with
fifty tons Of iron ore, TO be delivered ct Zanes-
Vile The EHterpriEe differs but little in con-
structiOn and size from common canal boats
Dresden LaisLigenesr, June 80.
The obstructions encountered will detract
from the success Of the experimental steam trip
so far as speed is concerned. The result, how
ever, will show that steam can be proftably
used as PrOPelling power on the Ohio Canal,
and that with the Canal in good order greater
average speed can be obtained than by horse
towing, A marked saving Of expense in run.
ming boats by substituting steam is conf
IDENTIFY anticipated.
The Massilon Times states that there is an
improvement ofthe Canal now under consider
alton by she Canal authorizes of the state, which
if adopted will be ofgTeat advantage. It con
Siats Of a new lock-gate constructed to workup
and down in grooves, by which the present
locks can be made to admit boats about one
fourth longer, and some wider.
Since the sbove was put in type, the Zanss-
vile Courier has come to hand. 1t does not
give as favorable prospect Of success for the
steam enterpriEs as we could hope We quote
TnE 'ENTERPRIsE,' the steam canal boat, left
for Walhonding yesterday for cargo Of coal for
the coal oil works Of Messrs. Brooks q Graves.
We judge the question as 10 her complete
success 10 be yet unsetted, from what we
hear. II was found that the long grass in the
canal clogged her wheel to sueh an extent as
TO render her progress impossible until the oh
structon was removed Knives were attached
with the hope that they would not only an-
sWeT her purpose but in measure clear the
canal Of great obstruction to navigation, but
they did not work as calculated II her man
a. ers can invent some plan TO hid the wheel Of
the grass, we presume there IL no obstacle in
her way, but until il is done her canal trips vi IN
hardly prove profitable except early 10 ths
spring and late il the fall