The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-07-25
The Lapidnm and Port Deposit Steam
Ferry,

Mr.. EDITOR: In your last issue, you enquire
what has become of the Steam Ferry enterprise
at Lapidum. We are happy to inform you, that
the "Great EASTERN has commenced her trips
and continues to make them with the regularity
of clock work. Our new steamer works
like charm; the engine works with the smooth
ness of n sewing machine, and notwithstanding
its diminutive size it has the capacity of eight
horses. We made trip in it last evening 1t
dashed through the water like ching of life "
in four minutes from shore to shore. 1t can com
fortably seat forty passengers, and is provided
with scow on which to transport horses car
riages and heavy freight, and will answer all the
demands Of the travelling community. 1t is GER
tainly consummation to our hopes that has
been very devoutly wished for. 1t will connect
with trains to and from Port Deposit, and makes
its trips every ten minutes during the day. ANY
of our friends in your vicinity having business
in Cecil county, will find this point the most
direct and pleasant route to Port Deposit
AS most of your readers are aware, the great
ice gorge in the Susquehanna last winter really
belonged to us, and not Port Deposit. The
scene of the heroic rescue of thu Islanders who
were surrounded by the ice is in Hartford county;
the gallant rescuers were Hartford county men,
from Havre de Grace. All honor to them for the
noble deed. The frcshet which occurred at that
time, and frightened the people of Port Deposit
out of their wits, destroyed a large portion of
the towing path of the canal, between this point
and llavre de Grace, which has caused, up TO
this time, total suspension of navigation on
that portion of the canal. Had the company
been aware of the full extent of the damage they
would undoubtedly have put such Il force at
work rs would have completed the repairs long
since or else have abandoned that level and made
To- Loo" ~u,ict ~ this place. but owing
the damage could be repaired in one month;
but it is an "ill wind that blows nobody rood. u
for as look from my window on the broad wa.
lers OF the noble Susquehanna behold our Great
raster" engaged in towinga canal boat ten times
her size, whilst Lapidum has received such m,
impetus that it bids fair to become leading
town upon our noble river
among othcr enterprises stirred up by the
freshet, we notice fine improvement in the
shape OF coal wharf, two hundred and fifty feet
long, on the canal just below the bridge, on
winch, fumor says, an abundant supply Of coal
may be had this season, at prices as low as any
where III the county. / know this will be good
news to your readers.
We notice the arrival among lis of Mr.. Thomas
Wilson, Collector the Canal, who is now es.
taDlished here, attending to the duties incident
to his office; and take the liberty of saving that
he Is the right man in the right place" for a
more courteous and efficient gentleman we have
seldom met cXpediting the arrival and DEPART
ure of boats with as little delay as though there
was no break in the canal
The delay in completing the repairs has also
been the means of bringing among us several of
the leading officers of the Reading Railroad
Company, which as your readers know is now
the owner of the canal. Our association with
these gentlemen has proved to us that whilst
corporations may not have souls, those who
represent them may have the largest sort of
hearts. We feel sure that more such visits will
result in mutual benefit to Hartford county, and
the company which these gentlemen so ably re-.
present
Since these visits there seems to be on the part
of the Company, realizing sense of the extent of
the damage done to the Canal, and Judging by
the energetic efforts now being made, it will not
be long before our sister city of Havre de Grace
will be once more rejoiced by the ''broad horn"
of the boatmen.
We have several tug boats now engaged in
towing boats from here to Havre de Grace and
Philadelphia. Among the captains of these
boats, whilst weare unwilling to make invidi.
GUS distinctions, none possesses more urbanity,
or is more efficient than Captain Abbott, of j.
Tones Tug "Whittaker
One of our citizens, Captain Jesse Price, is now
placed in full charge of the forceat work on
the repairs, and is proving very efficient
Let us hope when these gentlemen's labors
are ended, that Lapidum will not relapse into its
pristine state of sluggishness, but that other
wharves and other warehouses may spring up to
mark new era in the "place of stones.
BRIGHTwATER