Catoctin clarion., 1891-04-23
EARLY FLATBOAT1NG.
LIFE ON WESTERN WATERS IN THE
ANTE-STEAMBOAT DAYS. ~

Craft Were Propelled Down and Up
the Mississippi River-Desperate Battle
on board the General Pike.
1.-THE changes on the western rivers
have been many" said an old timer one
evening, "The first steamboat on the
Mississippi was, think, in 1911. Prior to
that time, and for many years after for
that matter, the river commerce was car
ried on in keel and flatboats. A keelboat
starting from Pittsburg would reach New
Orleans in about sixty days with from
thirty to fifty tons of freight. Some OF
them carried passengers, families travel
ers, hunters and others going down the
river frequently taking passage. on the
keel.
"The kcelboats were light. long and
narrow, sharp at both ends and round bot
toned. They were rugged with one ortwo
sweeps on a side for propelling purposes,
and sweep on one end for use rs a
rudder. These sweeps or bars were usual
ly made of small trees about thirty feet
long and hung to the side OF the boat on
iron pins. The big end of the tree was in
board or on deck. The small or outer end
had an inch board, about foot wide and
eight feet long, nailed diagonally across it
IL fc11n the blade of the oar.
"Thcse sweeps were used in still water
and for working the bo1t cNt st lends in
the river ont Of eddies and making tross
ings and landings TO work the sweep the
boatman would take the pole against one
shoulder, and quartering across the breast
would push, not pull, with a walk up
about fifteen feet, carrying it back to get
another hold in the water. 1t was ex
tremely hard work, and very trying on
clothes and shoe leather
HARD WORK GETTING BACK.
"The boats were also rigged with mast
and square sail, and often carried n small
cannon for protection against Indians and
lower river pirates. A kcelboat would be
from three to six months on the return
trip from New Orleans to Pittsburg
Down the river with the current was slow
enough, but against the current was tough
sailing. Where bottom could be reached
poles were used. but in deep swift water
'warpng' or 'corlella' was the motive
power. To warp is to run a line ahead
and fasten 1t to tree on the bank, and
then all hands haul on the line. 10 cor
della was to take rope ashore, and all
hands get hold and haul or tow the boat
very slow, hard process.
"As steamboats, became more numerous
the keelboats dropped out OF use, and the
fatboat came into service. A fatboat
would make the run down the river in
about the same time as n keelboat, but
they never returned, their owners selling
them at their destination for little or moth
Ing. The purchaser generally broke up
the boat and used the lumber for building
purposes. They were rugged and manned
about the came rs Il keeboat, but were diff
ferently CONSTRUCTED. They were what the
name implies-iia,, especially ON the bot
tom.
1.-The deck or roof was slightly crown
ing athwartship. The boat WAS from 81 10
12O feet long, Is to 90 feet beam, square at
10th ends above water, with short rake
or rl,r at each end from the bottom to the
deep water line. They would carry from
lO1t $50 tons Of freight and their kind was
known uy the cargo they carried, rs pork
boat, hay boat corn Loaf live hog
boat pumpkin host hoop pole boat
from Posey county, in".' chicken boat
from the Wabash and White rivers: salt
boats from the Big Kanawa river, and
coal boats from Pittsburg. The points
of destination were Memphis, Nicksburg,
Natchez and New Orleans, mostly the lat
ter have seen at the levee in New Or,
leans as many as 200 flatboats at one time.
BEATIEG TIE WAY HOME.
ut was nothing uncommon opass twen-
~ or thirty of them day on steamboat
trip down he river. Some Of them would
be tied up to the banks, some at anchor,
others drifting along with oars ut rest and
the crew having a jolliiication. AS soon IA
IL flatboat was landed mt New Orleans the
entire crew, except one man, was paid off,
ana as they had no opportunity on the trip
to spend their money they got their wages
all in pile Then they would start ont
for high old time, and have it, too They
would usually remain in Orleans until
their money was gone, or Mt least all but
enough to pay their passage up the river
and, as they generally took deck passage,
which was only $3.50 or 50, they didn't re-
quire much Of surplus. Sometimes l50
or 200 hatboat men would be on one steam
err and woe would be to the boat when
the clerk attempted to collect the fare.
They would not only refuse to pay, but
would often take possession of the lower
deck.
~ was passenger on the General Pike
when there was just such gang on board.
When the clerk called on them they gath
cred on the after part Of the boat and re-
fused to pay n cent Not only did they re-
fuse to pay, but they nearly killed the I'm
lucky clerk. The boat was landed at
wood yard, and tbe crew, armed with
clubs, attempted to make the lia;hcat men
pay or go ashore. The roughs were armed
with knives, and the most terrible fight in
the history of the river took place
'"Tbe crew was driven for'ard to the
fo'castle deck, the lines were cut and the
boat set adrift, and taking full possession
of the boat the engineers were compelled
to send the st.alnc" sr th" river. Two of
the crew were killed, and the mate &c badly
injured that lie did not leave his room
until we reached Cincinnati. At Natchez
the captain got assistance, and half the
rowdies were put ashore. The balance paid
their fare Indianapolis News