Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1891-11-26
BOATS In THE RIVER.
MORE STYLES SOF VESSELS
THAN CAN BE NAMED.
Increase OF the Shipping Trade--Despite
Railroad Competition the Busi-
ness Thrives-Tuy Men

How many kinds OF canal boats In
the Chicago riverp' was the casual
Interrogation put to well-posted
river man.
only one kind" he replied. "a
thought every one knew a canal boat
is a canal boat"
1t is failing common to humanity.
Each individual thoroughly familiar
lied with the details OF his own voca-
ton easily imagines every one pos
sessed OF the same knowledge. As a
matter CT fact there are several pat
terms OF canal boats, along with an
immense collection OF divers impor-
tant vessels, constantly stirring up
the muddy waters of the American
Mersey.
or the hundreds OF vessels on the
river from two-oared canoes to bulky
freight and passenger boats, it is diff
cult to make rational, concise classi-
fication. Boats are built in all man
ner OF ways, and like people, have
countenances peculiarly their own,
which are recognizable by vesselmen
long distances away. In the construc-
ton OF dwelling houses will be found
no more varied expression OF personal
tastes and ideas than in boat building.
In general way it may be said that
on the Chicago river are found paddle
boats. pleasure yachts, scows, dredging
boats. canal boats, steam tugs, and
launches. schooners, barges, and, steam
propellers for carrying freight and
passengers.
Only by chance or when being
hauled in for repairs do pleasure
yachts get into the channel. They
are generally found. when not skim
ming through the white caps, moored
within the harbor Or private slips.
Some of them are expensive affairs
INDUCED in by men of wealth, but the
greater number are held in common
by psrties OF two to dozen persons
who have associated themselves to-,
gether for that purpose.
About fifty ,steam-tug boats of all
styles and dimensions and owned ex-
clusively by four companies are en-
gagged in towing steamers and sailing
vessels on the lake and river This
number does not include those owned
and controlled by the dredging COM
panies. The tugs compare favorably
with the best vessels in size and equip
ment As u rule the crew consists of
five men, who work long hours, though
their duties are seldom onerous. While
their subsistence, is first class, they
live and sleep in exceedingly close
quarters both night and day, earning
good wages. Late years have witness
ed marked improvement in the class
and grade of men employed in the SER
vice. They are for the most part re-
liable and sober with families depend
ing on their earnings for support, and
majority OF them are laying some
thing by for a rainy day.
Within the past decade business on
the river has changed its methods,
about two-fifths of the movements of
vessels being performed at night A
bridge tender said last week he had
swung his bridge as many times the
day before between six O'clock in the
evening and 6 in the morning as he
had swung it the twelve correspond
ing hours previous.
Owing to the narrow limits OF the
channel, says the Chicago Inter- Ocean,
and the impediments to navigation
Astounding therein. cool-headed nervy
men are required for tug service on
the river. Only young men IN the
prime of life, who are experts in the
business, possess the requisite portion
of what is depominated sand" to en-
able them to successfully pursue it.
The. tug man is continually coming
face to face with emergencies where it
behooves him, within the instant, to
arrive at mental decision as to the
course he shall pursue. Having no
time to change his mind or alter his
course, he must adhere firmly to his
original purpose, for with ponderous
vessel bearing down on him. to change
his mind would be fatal or If he even
hesitates he is lost. For thesereasons
the best tugmen in the world are con-
ceded to be engaged at this port.