Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1884, 1879-03-22
MODEST KASSOURrS MOTIVES.
SPECULATION AS TO THE SAFE
TY OF STRAMBOATS. 5lis
No Cause OF Alarm Apparsnt--The
Boats in tho Big slough and ON tho
Ways Equally Safe--C0ndition Of
the boafmen Afrivinx
at the Scene OF Action asga aqfa

gsf
Speculation now runs high regarding
the breaking up Of the river and its prof.
able effect upon business. Steam boatmen
are more anxious, however, for the safety,
! of their boats wintering in this vicinity,
There are the Eclipse, Bachelor, Joseph
inc, Key West, Tempkins, Denver, Bur
leigh and Custer wintering at what is
known as the Big Slough, or mouth Of
Burnt creek, about eight miles north Of
this city. At this point the Missouri;
taking in the mouth of the creek, is about
mile and half wide, the boats being
protected by the point extending down the
river. Should the ice melt slowly no
danger whatever would exist, but if the
ice gorges, the bottom Wilt overflow, and
as consequence a current will be pro-
duced and the boats must needs be pre-
pared to float or sink. They are now
made fast to trees, but in case of high
water they will get up steam and, if pos
sible, keep aloof from the floating cakes
of ice. On the whole they are considered
perfectly safe, if well handled, in case of
an emergency.
ON THE WAYS
are the Sherman, Benton and Macleod.
These boats are considered perfectly safe,
as the ways are built very solid, and
nothing short Of terribly sudden break
ing up and heavy gorge will,wrench the
boats from their moorings. The steamers
both above and on the Ways have un-
dergone thorough repair and are made
fast to shore by heavy ropes stretched in
every direction. Should the weather
continue as warm as to-day has been, the
river will break up in less than ten days.
News frem above indicates no material
change since last week, but the weather is
growing warmer. Crossing the river 1s
still possibility, but it is necessary to gol
up the main channel about two miles be-.
fore a landing can be effected on the Man
dan side. RI
: The steamer Union at the Point is be- 2
ing watched closely and will be ready to-
float with the ice when it breaks up. .se
STEAMBOAT CAPTAINS
are beginning to arrive. and Capt. Dan
Maratta, Of the Coulson line, is expected
about April FOOLS day. He has been to
Washington, and has succeeded in OBJ
tanning for his line the government con-
tract for carrying freight.
Capt Jim Maratta, of the Sherman, is
in town and very sanguine of an early
breakup.
Capt. Grant Marsh, of the Bachelor,
has been in the city for some time and
will take his steamer up the river just as
soon as safety is assured.
Capt Frank Maratta, of the Key West,
is also here and prophesies that the river.
will be clear of ice by the middle of next
month.
g Col. Frank Moore and chief clerk Geo
Aiken, of the Eclipse, were in the city to-
day, and report everything in readiness
for an emer gency up at Burnt Creek.
The Benton will be commanded this
year by Tom Mariner.
~ Capt. Massie will command the Mac7Hs
]eod, and a man by the name Of Gsuld is
reported as captain of the Josephine.
All these gentlemen have had long ex-
perience at steamhoating and no river on
the continent can boast of better comman. q
ded boats than the Missouri this season.