Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-06-16

look out will be kept for these fellows, and
if discovered they will be made to suffer.
TRIAL OF THE BRIDaE.-Messrs. Ed-
itors understanding that Capt Haight
intends to convince the public, that the
Bridgeis no obstruction to navigation, by
giving an exhibition Of the ability and
superiority of his Pilots IN running the
Black Hawk through several times each
way OF Thursday, Ito day. (wonder if it is
to be q free exhibition)I have thought proper
to make a few suggestions, ifthe object be
to establish the fact in law, or 20 have any
bearing before the Court, or jury. First, that
he puuon board, say $50 or 275 tons Of coal
We need no such exhibition "li9ht,' as We
have the example daily, and even partially
loaded. Then let the same pilots try boats
Of . larger tonnage. 1t is well know that
some of our boats pass the bridge with 300
to 45O tons and would carry more if it was
not considered too hazardous. and have 90
far been successful with but few excep-
tions, yet the chances are against them. A
trial for the purpose Of showing the public
that there is no difficulty to apprehend.
should be made under the most disadvanta-
geous circumstances. If a test is designed.
let it be q thorough one. Let Capt. H. pi-
lots try the Erred Lorsnz or some other
stern wheeler of equal dimensions. loaded,
exhibit their superiority on . variety Of
boats, vsyring in tonnage, draught DC.
A circumstance transpired last season.
which, if correctly understood. places .
certain pilot, land one thought to be invin-
cible) in rather an unenviable light. A
boat lay at the head Of the rapids. heavily
loaded said pilot was hired to take her
down in the morning, having to return that
night (belng engaged on one of the pack
ets) from Davenport. The captain waited
al the next day, and at last had to engage
another man. who landed him safely at D.
This certain pilot seems to have . great
reputation, as it is generally understood
that his services are engaged by the Rapids
Co., for the safety Of their boats. and
would like for him to be fully entitled to
oil the credit given him. and that the bridge
question should be fixed in the minds Of
the public. either one way or the other
1t would have incalculable bearing on future
developments, and if no obstvwction, save
immense sums, and litigation to the owners.
Therefore, let us see Capt. H. and pilots
try their skill on various boats, variously
loaded and trimmed, % you cannot alw ays
find boats loaded alike, or handled alike,
when loaded the same. This same pilot
who took the loaded boat safely to Daven-
port, and, in the estimation Of those who
are judges. stands ~ high ~ The supposed
invincib!e, although he showed to the
world that he did do what the other dare
not was unfortunate in striking the bridge
thereafter. siuking the boat and drowning
two men. and it might be considered truly
miracle, that 80 to 90 lives were not lost
boat light, not over 80 or 40 tons on
board.
| This shows that some pilots may be sue
eessful for continued length Of time, and
eventually fall victim to his rashness. II,
therefore. the matter il to be tried, let it be
tested thoroughly and in oil its phases.
June IL, 80. sss