The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-01-30
Navigation Of Western Rivers.
Obstacles that have been Overcome on
the Columbia and Snake Rivers -
Preparations for Opening tho Upper
Missouri.

A writer III the Helena, Montana,
independent gives the following inter
esting account Of the means used to IA
cilitate the navigation of the great riv-
crs on this side of the continent, and
the work nov being done on the Upper
Missouri
The navigation on the Upper Missouri,
Upper Columhia, Upper Yellowstone
and such rivers was FOR many years con
sidered impossible, or at least inpracti-
cable. The Upper Missouri was, how
ever, found to be navigable for middle
sized river steamers to Fort Benton two
months in the year, but the navigable
season gradually increased, until this
last year the river was found navigabie
from April lst to Nov. 18th, and even
to Dec. lst.
The Yellowstone proved to he navig.
able to Powder Horn and Big Horn
rivers six to seven months in the year.
and even l00 miles further up during
high water.
The Upper Columbia and its tributar-
les was tested and found navigablc in
sections interrupted by two falls and
various dangerous rapids, etc, but the
demand for greater and quicker trans
portation encouraged few enterprising
men to test the Upper Columbia, oonso-
quently organized the Oregon Steam
Navigation Company. built three small
but powerful steamers, placed the first
below the Cascades. the second above
the Cascades and below the falls of the
Dalles, and the third above the nalles
and below Wallula. They also con-
structcd wagon roads around the falls
Of the Cascades, six miles, and around
the Falls of the Dalles, fifteen miles, to
connect with the steamers. The first
years experience melted the company a
profit of 80 per cent. on the Investment
The wagon roads at the portage were
substituted by tramways, or horse rail
roads. The business of the company sc
increased that in a few years they built
tirst-class railroads around the two port,
ages. and also built a narrow gauge rail
road from Wallala to Walla Walla, sc
miles. The company also had to build
more and larger steamers, so that now
they have three first-class large steamers
at each section where they first had but
one small one. They have also tested
Snake river, and now three small power
fUl and fine steamers running from
Wallula up Snake river TO Almota, Lew
{ tt..r, do
to six months in The year The com
pany now dehes competition TO any aDd
all railroads. The distance which cacl
line OF boats has to run is from Portland
to the Cascades, sixty miles; from the
Cascades to the Dalles, forty miles
from the Dalles to Wallula, ninety miles,
and from Wallula TO Grande Ronde
valley, one hundred ana fifty miles.
The river from Portland TO the Cascades
and from the Cascades to the Dalles is
now considered first-class, but from the
falls OF the Dalles TO Wallula, portions
are very good and portions dangerous
and difficult, with a swift current, rocky
rapids and very crooked and rock chan
mel. Snake river Is still more difficult,
more shallow and rocky rapids, and a
swifter current The company's steam
ers have all stern wheels and locomotive
boilers standing or the bottom of the
boat. They carry passengers and freight
from Portland to Wallula in from thirty
to thirty-six hours time. $50 miles,
and changing, during that time,
the cargo from steamers to cars
and from cars to steamers six times, re
quiring but an hour at each place TO
change. Passenger fare, SIS from
Wallua to Portland Freight. from 81 /
to $40 per ton down, and from S25 to
$40 up
The Missouri river from the falls 10
Three Forks is now considered less di:f-
cult and much easier TO navigate than
the Upper Columbia and Snake rivers.
There are a few selfish men whose inter
est it has been to keep the community
at large from knowing the condition OF
the Upper Missouri by representing that
the river was continuous cataract, full
of narrow, crooked gorges, very shallow
in places. and almost dry in the Sum