Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-12-26

con ROCK AT the mouth OF the OnlO.
The gorge below Cairo has been broken
and the transfer boat to Columbus is
running as usual.
Guy Vineyard, clerk of the Florence
Lee, died at Golconda few days since
of smallpox He was well known or
the Ohio and Tennessee rivers, anc
leaves wife and family. The boats al
the Evansville landing displayed Their
flags at half mast Thursday last in re
spect to his memory.
Quite number of produce boats are
aground in the lower Ohio, and fears are
entertained that the floating ice will sink
some Of them.
The texas and portion of the cabin
ofthe I. H. Allen was blown off during
Fridays gale, while she was at Roseville,
and both her chimneys were carried by
the wind to the bank. Those who wit
messed the storm below here say it was
the most severe ever experienced.
The Submarine No. IA left here yes
terday before noon for the wreck Of the
Roseville, which boat is said to be in q
critical condition.
When the Belle st. Louis passed
Friars Point Sunday, the Charles Bod
mann was hard aground there, and the
Dexter was sticking on Reeves bar,
The Dexter succeeded in getting over
Helena bar, and has gone on her way.
The Belfast, down yesterday morning
stuck for an hour at Reeves but got
over safely
The Louisville Ledger dubs the Welt
eel dam the great natural skating rink.
Mr.. Satterwhite, the Junior of the firm
Of Satterwhite Bros, steamboat agents
at Louisville, was in the city yesterday.
Captain Shultz, of the defunct steam
err Virginia, says the St. Louis Republi-
can, has bought the wrecking boats inte-
rest of the machinery and implements
saved from the wreck of his boat, at
private sale. He has now to buy the
underwriters interest before he will be-
come sole owner. The machinery, etc.,
is now at Cairo, and will be forwarded
to Louisville as soon as possible.
On her last trip the James Howard
carried to New Orleans 100 bales Of cot
ton.
A gorge Is reported between st. Louis
and Alton.
A telegram dated Grand Tower, Dist,
says: "The Capital City passed down at
eleven am. yesterday. The Mary Nc
Donald laid up at II pm. to-day. The
Mountaineer and Wicks laid up yester-
day. The Sioux City is aground one
mile below Liberty, and the Fannie
Lewis at Widow Waters
Tho u ~ Graxv d., n
Sunday night, having doubly tripped it
from Rob Roy.
The ice gorges between Cincinnati
and Louisville have all gone, and several
boats are loading for the South at both
points
While laying at the landing yesterday
the string band on the Potomac, com
posed of her cabin crew, enlivened the
wharf rousters with some very fine mu-
sic.
The Potomac laid up above Point
Pleasant twenty-four hours to avoid the
dangers of the storm that caught her
there on Friday. She reports elk feet of
water over the bar there; but only FIVE
and a half feet at the foot of Island %
and at the head of "26."
Cumberland river is rising, with two
feet on Harpeth Shoals.
The Thomas II. Allen will leave at
five pm. to-day for all points on the
Arkansas.
The damages to the 7. H. Allen will
amount to S2500 or $4,000.
There are five feet Of water between
st. Louis and Cairo.
The Legal Tender will leave at FIVE
o'clock this evening for all points on
White river.
The following is from letter dated
Cairo, December 2lst, to John Sender,
Esq: ! don't think there is more than
five and half feet water below here.
Some men came here this evening from
Crawford's, and report the Capital City
aground there and about to breakin two.
Can't voucb for this as true. they say
she ia aground head and stern, and broke
down amidship. There is plenty of
freight here, but is mostly on the cars
and terribly mixed.
Mr. Weston, the Government engin-
eer, who has had charge of the survey
Of the bar in front of Evansville, has
completed his labors, and is preparing
to make an official report.
The executive committee of the ma
tional convention of steamboatmen
have completed the amendments they
desire'to the last steamboat law, and
submitted it to the House committee on
commerce. The new bill is greatly
praised by several on the committee,
and it is believed will be reported sub
stanhslly as presented. OF the II sec
tons of the old bill, 50 are amended.
All boilers are to be tested before using
BY the hydrostatic test, and allowed to
carry three-fourths the test. The bill
abolishes the low water indicators, lock
up safety gauges, and recording gauges.
The reason urged for this course is that
these eontrivances tend to make engi-
neers negligent There is severe restric-
tons upon carrying inhammable articles.
Crude petroleum, camphene, beuzine,
nitro-glycerine and similar articles, are
prohibited on passenger steamers. All
boats can carry refined petroleum that
will stand a test Of one hundred and ten |
degrees, but it must be stored in such I
places as the local inspectors shall desig- /
nate in writing. All who attempt to
ship prohibited articles are liable to J
heavy penalty,
The number Of watchmen is fixed on
each class Of vessels, from sunset to
sunrise, and the lights which must be
carried are named. The license pro
vision isretained for captains, engineers,
mates, aud pilots, but the fees for the
sane are reduced oue-hah Stringent
provisions are inserted looking TO max
ing each officer responsible for the
prompt discharge Of bis own peculiar
dutias. Special care has been taken to
prepare bill that can be readily under
stood By all Interested, and the result
neats with warm Communication from