Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-01-11
From the Dubuque Times.
The First Trip Of The Ice Boat.

i slO0 10 WJIte W you Ano~n6 ~ VIZ
be much interested in the events which
have occurred TO me within the last few
hours. l went to Prairie du Chen to
spend the holidays, and while at home
renewed my acquaintance with Norman
| Wizard the we'll known inventor Of the
| ice boat.
Wizard was busiy engaged in launch
ing his beautiful new machine, the LA
| DIV Franklin" aud had tor several days
been exploring the river and preparing
q track On the ice to this place. He had
hoped to be able to celebrate New
Years day by trial of his novel veh-
Gle, but was unable to complete al his
preparations before Thursday.
On Thursday afternoon everything
was in readiness, and he had promised
the citizens of the "Prairie' he would
crafty their curiosity by setting the
wheels in motion on the next morning.
These last few days we're doubtless the
most exciting moments Of WARDS life.
In a few hours be was to know whether
the lsult OF his years of labor was a
proud success, or he bankrupt visioDa-
nv. As he saw at last the beautiful car
resting upon the snowy surface of the
ice, his feverish anxiety knew no
bounds. He could not keep away from
the object of his ceaseess devotion. We
| spent the evening in the saloon of the
boat, specializing upon the probable re-
suit Of the first trial until late hour.
| (A,,r nd H.
us, and fully as much interested as our
selves.
| After a long conversation Ward pro-
posed that we should raise steam, and
take short excursion on the river, 10
order to become familiar with the work
ing of the machine. He would not ad
init the possibility Of failure, and no true
inventor will. The idea was eagerly
seconded by the rest of us, and within
ten minutes the fire was roaring beneath
the boiler. Before half an hour had
elapsed the engineer announced sufii
cient steam to work the machinery.
Ward was flying around everywhere
with his lantern and monkey wrench,
tightening and adjusting the screws. AT
last he pronounced all ready, and gave
the word to start, at the same time
climbed upon the roof where | was
standing.
The steam was turned on there wa.
motion of the machinery, and in the
next moment the boat was propelled
smoothly over the ice towards the Nc
Gregor shore. "She moves! thank
God, she moves! exclaimed Wizard in
Il great state oil excitement. sympa-
thized with him deeply, and presume
expressed my delight in various ways.
Our motion as yet was no faster than
a brisk walk, but after we had gained
the main channel of the riverr and head
ed up stream, the speed was increased to
about six miles an hour. The patch Sc
lected by Wizard that day was clearly
discernable in the clear moonlight. Be-
sides this there was large locomotive
lantern fixed upon the forward part of
the cabin, which shed light for long
distance in front of us. The boat obey.
ed the helm readily, and could easily be
turned completely around in circle of
fifty feet in diameter, and think less.
We had not been running more than
half an hour, before Wizard told me he
had determined, If | was willing to 90
through with him, 10 make trip to
La Crosse, before turning back. l &C
guessed in the arrangements very glad
ly. so the engineer and steersman
We're instructed accordingly. 1t was
then past twelve o'clock, and our vcloci-
ty was continually improving rs the ma
chinery and shoes were smoother. | re-
NAMED on deck until 2 A. NJ, when be-
coming completely chilled through, |
descended to the cabin, which found
as warm as summer, being heated by
the escape steam conducted by pipes
beneath the floor.
Before | was aware of it, | had fallen
asleep upon the cushions, and SO remain
ed until broad daylight. | imagined
myself in railroad car or an omnibus
Tor moment, from the motion which it
very much resembled, but soon woke
fully to our situation.
We were just above Bad Axe City,
and approaching the most dangerous
part OF our route. In half an hour more
we were creeping around the last bend in
Coon Slough, and just as we were in
sight of Brownsville there was crash
and shock. We had broken through
the ice. Wizard did not seem dsmayed
by this misfortune, but rather the con-
trary. He would have an opportunity
to test his invention in a place of diff
Guilty.
He fixed small anchor in the ice
some fifty yards ahead, and attaching q
strong cable to it wound it up by steam
sapstan, and in less than an hour had
our craft once more safe out of the wa.
ter.
We then steamed up to the levee at
Brownsville, and got an excellent break
fast at the Bennett House. In the mean.
time great crowd of people had gath
cred about our strange craft, and SO en-
gagged became Wizard in explaining its
properties and capacities to them, it W as
noon before we knew it. Late this az
ternoon We got up steam again, and just
as the pail of darkness had settled over
the river, we arrived at the lower land
ing of this city. am now stopping at
the Harrington House, having just par
taken of hearty supper, and l assure
you, dear friend, am proud 10 say,
was on the Lady Franklin on the first