The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-08-24
Wednesday Morning, Aug. "a, 1864.
A Perilous Trim.

RUNNING EHE RAPIDS OF THE ST. LAW
RENEE IN A sKIFF.
The Prescott (Canada) Telegraph has the
following account OF hazardous exploit:
"During the latter part Of July two men
named Violet Jones, OF the Fusileer Guards,
and Robert Welsh, OF Mr.. Barkers exchange
Office, Prescott, left here on u trip TO Mon
treal, intending to run the rapids OF the St.
Lawrence. They started in lapstreak skih,
twenty-one feet long three feet, six inches
beam, and carried with them two pairs Of
oars, a sail and q tent, with the necessary
cooking apparatus, &C., for camp life. They
succeeded in running the Gallops, Rapid du
Plat, and the north channel OF the Long
Sault as far as the point, that evening. Be
ing afraid to venture the remainder of the
channel, they carried their boats and traps
across the island TO the head OF south chan
mel, but the darkness was so intense that they
considered discretion the better part OF val
or and they camped on the island all night
The following morning, they packed up their
duds,' and made another, and this time sue
cessful attempt, accompanied by the cheers
OF about twenty people who had congregated
upon the shore. The peril OF the undertak-
ing will be better understood, when we state
that the swells washed over the boat, half Ill
Ing it with water, one of which struck the
man at the oars tWelshl in the face almost
depriving him Of his breath. They then ran
TO Hogansburg, where they lay over day.
Next morning the Coteau Rapids were
passed in beautiful style, and they soon reach
ed the Cedars, The most splendid rapid of the
whole lot TO rum The Slit Rock nearly fin
isned our adventurers. Being unacquainted
with the channel, they took the north shore,
and when only about one hundred yards of,
In very swift current, they saw ahead OF
them fall OF about seven feet. By hard pull
ling and good steering, however, they sue
ceeded in making the Old Lock- on the
north side, when an oar broke, fortunately
just as they were within reach of the lock.
They here struck an eddy and went back 10
the head, when passing raft pointed out the
channel, and amid some good swells they de-
scended the rapids in safety.
"Then came the Cascades, Here they were
advised by gentleman whom they met not
20 attempt TO run them, as the Cascades had
never been run by anything smaller than
batteau, and he was sure they would be drown
ed. Notwithstanding this they determined to
proceed, and were anxiouely watched in their
In their perilious journey by the gentleman
above spoken OF. The first pitch was pas ed
safely; ~ the second, however, the boat went
down, and struck whether the bottom or rock
they could not. OF course, say. She, however,
AoAotdt tACJ edtto1Co w tuC oiIC VI TIC Nui~
rent, although filled with water, and was car
ried about thirty yards TO friendly rock.
The moment they struck still water the boat
sunk. The rock before spoken of, however,
was near, and, though small, here they bail
ed out their boat and prepared TO start again.
Mounted ON this lonely rock they took view
Of the situation" being anxiously desirious
TO change their base but no assistance could
there reach them, and nolens roiens, they had
TO take TO their boat again. A point ahead
was selected and they determined il the boat
should swamp in the rapids ahead, they would
stick TO her as long as she was kept up by
the current and their lustily-plied oars, and
then abandoning her swim Ior the point
although badly tossed, however, she still
kept up, and, about half filed with water
bravely she came out OF this latter peril
They reached the point, bailed their boat
hoisted sail, and started across Lake ST. Peter
reaching The Nuns Island that night, where
they camped. This was a good days work.
Seven rapids, large and small, were passed,
and two lakes, making distance OF about sew
enty miles; and although wet to the skin,
they slept soundy, feeling thankful, it is TO
be hoped, to bountiiul Providence, TO whose
protective hand they, In q peculiar manner,
this day owed their lives. The next morning
they reached Caughnawaga, and were here
strongly advised by gentleman from the
Montreal Telegraph and others against at
tempting this new danger. But they had
passed through 30 many perils safely they
had no notion OF quitting their seli-imposed
task until they had completed 1t. They ac-
cordingly did run the Lachine Rapid, and ran
1t safely and without adventure, thus making
the entire trip from Prescott TO Montreal in
skif OF one hundred pounds weight, with
about i've hundred and twelve pounds load,
including baggage, their own weight, etc.
"All the rapids were run stern first. The
reason for this Is that better brace may be
cptained with the oars in this position-ihe
boat being at the complete command OF the
man at the oars, who, besides, goes down fac
ing the danger. In such places quick eye
and steady hand are imperative, and even
these, we should imagine would hardly in-
sure sa'ety at all times. We hope Messrs.
Welsh and Jones will not find many imita-
-