Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1868-05-07
A Wonderful River.
THE COLORADO NAvIGABLE TO UTAH.

The Colorado river, whether con-
sidered as an independent water
course through an almost unbroken
country, or in connection with the
railroads that are stretching across
the continent, is an object of peculiar
interest. A deeply interesting re-
port was lately submitted to the mer-
chants of San Francisco by G. W.
Gilmore, who was commissioned to
examine and explore the river, with
the view of ascertaining its practica-
bility as navigable route to Utah.
A small steamer called the Esmer-
aida was fitted out for the trip. This
steamer was 81 feet long, with II
inch cylinders and 12-foot wheel,
having in tow alongside barge 126
feet long and 27 feet beam, used for
carrying fuel along the upper portion
Of the stream, where wood was diff
ficult to obtain. The distance from
Fort Isabel, the mouth of the river,
to Callville, in Utah, is 600 miles
The country is described as for a
considerable part peopled by friend
ly Indians, cultivating corn and near
ly every kind of vegetables. Other
portions are heavily timbered.s The
river is from a half to enc and half
miles wide, and the water from four
to eight feet deep, and no serious OBJ
structions from rapids or other caus
es. An account says:
The renowned Black Canyon is
from eight to ten miles in length.
Through this the river flows with a
deep current and an average width
of 200 feet. The water is smooth and
unbroken, and no rocks obstruct the
passage. A large portion of the dis
tance perpendicular walls rise to the
height of a thousand feet on either
side, in some places almost shutting
out the light of day, and awaking in
the mind of the voyager the most
profound admiration and awe. In
solemn grandeur and native sublim-
lty no spot on earth equals the Black
Canyon of the Rio Colorado Of the
West. Years ago, when Lieutenant
Ives first passed through it in small
boat, he reported its navigation i'm
practicable if not impossible. But
the inexorable claims of commerce
have at last pierced its gloomy
depths, and its grim walls will soon
send back the echoes of shrill steam
whistles and the plash Of paddle
wheels.
1t is impossible to over estimate
the Importance, of the Colorado river.
Southern Utah is peopled with busy
and thriving community of Mormons,
whose only present means OF com
munication with the great trade marts
Of our country are over long and
rough wagon roads, via Salt Lake
City. The region they inhabit is
rich in agricultural resources, but
the difficulty of transporting produce
to market has seriously retarded its
growth. Merchandise has command
ed fabulous prices, and home products
were only available for home con-
sumption. But a new era will soon
dawn upon these remote settlers, and
they will be able to carry on an ex-
tensive traffic, which has heretofore
been impracticable. The mineral
resources of Southwestern Utah
and Southeastern Nevada-recently
proved to be rich and prolifc-will
also be opened to the enterprise and
capital Of the mining public. Call
vile, the head Of navigation on the
Colorado, is only one hundred miles
from Pahrangat District, where as
tonishingly rich silver deposits nave
been discovered.
In this connection the following
extract from Salt Lake letter Will
be read with interest:
"The action Of some of the busi-
ness men of San Francisco in en-
deayoring to organize company for
the purpose of navigating the Col.
erado river and trading on it, has
excited considerable interest in this
city. 1t is asserted that San Fran
cisco merchants can successfully COM
pete with Eastern merchants in re.
gard to the trade of Utah and Ari.
zona, and in parts Of Montana