The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-03-06

RIVER Nkws.-O energetic Ferry Com
pany drew forth the "Gate City from its
winter quarters Sabbath afternoon. and the
work Of repairing and fitting il up goes on
rapidly The Toledo, the new boat of the
Company, was in readiness for action, and
made its regular trips yesterday.
The river was nearly clear of ice for the
greater part Of yesterday. Towards evening
the ice commenced running, and the channel
soon became almost packed with it. 1t will
soon run out.
The Resolute, with three immense barges,
six days from St, Louis got into this port
Sabbath morning, being the first craft of the
season.
The Lucy Bertram, of the Keokuk Packet
Company, came up yesterday afternoon, being
the first of the line arrivals. Our long time
friend, Captain Asbury, is master, with Mr.
Gum in the office. Captain Asbury hopes to
make henceforth his regular trips. He tells
US that the ice is gorged in immense quaint
ties below Alexandria, making magnificent
spectacle, but ominously threatening trouble
W the ihhaullahtS Oh the bottom country IN
the event Of an overflow.
The Republican says the Keokuk Packet
Company would start the Kate kearney Sat
urdsy evening. The Kate, we believe, came
up as far as Quincy.
The same paper SAYS that the hull of the
heokuk CompsDy's new boat has been
brought there, where the work will be com.
pleted.
The Ontario left St. Louis Saturday for this
place.
The river was still closed at Fort Madison
yesterday.
The NEW KEoKrE .PAcKErs.-The Keokuk
Packet Company, with the business spirit and
energy which have always characterized them
and their line worthy of its high place in pub
lie estimation, are building two new boats to
add to their line They are the "Andy john.
son" and : Rob Roy" The St. Louis Dis
patch of Friday evening saws:
The people who live on the banks of the
Upper Mississippi, between ST. Louis and
heokuk, have known for some wears mast
that there was not in this country a line of
packets equal to the keokuk line, which are
othcered throughout by gentlemen who
have the confidence and respect of the peo
pie, and msnaged with the utmost skill and
entire success. This popular company are
about To add two new boats to the line, which
IN point of speed and elegance will far sur.
pass any packets that ever run in the trade.
The hrst of these new boats arrived here this,
morning. and presents an appearance that
viii astonish our citizens She is without
exception The handsomest and most eompetc
steamer ever built upon the western waters
The dimensions of the Andy johnson are
as follows: Length 260 feet. beam 40 feet
and 81 feet depth Of hold. Her engines are
models OF beauty and strength with % inch
Cylinders with seven feet stroke, and the old
fashioned five fiued boilers. Her wheels are
20 ,eet IN diameter, working a IA foot bucket
with wrought iron shaft. As will be seen
by the size of her machinery, and with an
easy. graceful model she will far surpass in
point OF speed all other boats in the trade
Her cabin is full length, and of the most
peautifui design, capable of accommodating
i4o passengers in the main part 20 in the
nursery, 10 IN texas, in addition to an abun.
aance OF room Tor her crew. The hull was
pniit at Madison by the Dry Dock Company
VINO also are building the Rob Roy, two
steamers that reflect great credit upon their
skill as Steamboat builders Both boats wera
constructed under the personal supervision Of
Capt A. Phillips general agent az the com
pany who has reason to be nrond of Il. snc
cess The Andy has not vet got her fnr,,;.
ture on board, but it is ready and viii soon
be placed in order. The greater ns,4 of i
has been made and imported expresstv. And
when hnished, we question whether thera 70 .
boat In the country which can equal her.