The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-12-29
A RAMBLE OVER UNCLE SANS TERRI
TORY.
NUNIBER FOURTEEN.

NUMBER FOURTEEN.
As eloOked at the steep levee it hard
ly seemed credible that che water could
rise so tremendously, but it reached
height of go feet or more; the wharf
boats which ordinarily lie at the foot of
the broad levee, were anchored up in the
street; the enormous chains which hold
them, are stretched across the surface of
the levee. These wharf boats are neces-
sary, as where there are such floods, Or
binary docks would be entirely useless
and most likely swept away. That we
might compare the Ohio with other
rivers, we took one of the typical west
ern river boats plying between Louis
vile and Cincinnati; large craft, and
quite comfortable, too, although so en-
tirely different from the boats to which
we were accustomed; however, it afforded
us very enjoyable trip. Instead OF
crank shaft crossing the boat and turn
ing both wheels, as in our boats on these
each wheel has a separate engine and no
shaft is employed. This arrangement
gives much more room on the main
deck, for the engines, which unlike the
low pressure ones used in the East, are
high pressure similar to the railroad To-
connective, and are off at each side with
the boilers, leaving the deck almost clear.
The stairway is outside near the round
bow, and runs up to the deck above,
coming in there just in front of the clerks
Office, which is at the front end of that
deck, just under where the pilot house
is located on the type of boats we are
used to. The pilot house is perched
high up above the hurricane deck, about
the middle of the steamer, looking as if
it was slung between the two tall Chin
neys. In making landings along the
river, the boat sticks her round bow up
onto the shore, and great gang plank,
which usually hangs out over the bow,
is turned either way and dropped onto
the shore. In the great open space on
the main deck the freight was piled, and
in numerous pens were several droves of
fat pigs, with some sheep and cattle.
The whole structure seemed to be of the
lightest description, the posts which
held the upper deck were very slender,
yet these boats seem to stand great
deal of banging. The main saloon ex-
tended the whole length of the upper
deck, and the state rooms opened off the
saloon, there being also door to each
room opening onto the outer deck. The
boat being quite wide, there was room at
the widest part for the barber shop, bar,
etc., outside of the saloon and state
rooms; the outer doorway is furnished
with a lattice door as well as solid one,
making the rooms very comfortable of
hot night. Meals are served at small Ia
bles set through the saloon, the same as
is done on the boats which traverse the
great lakes; the fare is very good. Great
freedom is allowed the passengers, they
can go anywhere about the boat they
choose; most of them gathered on topof
the hurricane deck, place tabooed on
the eastern boats, but it was a charming
place to sit just about sunset and look
out over the placid stream. We had no
idea the Ohio was so beautiful: the
whole distance between the two cities,
about hundred miles, the banks were
high, steep and heavily wooded, most Of
the distance it was at least az hundred
feet to the top of the bluff, the general
level of the country; at low water there
is quite wide space between the water
and high-water mark, to which place
only came the shore verdure. There be-
ing no Wharves along the river,
places are selected where the channel
lies close to the shore, and a road is con-
structed down the bluffs from the level
above. On the shore stands the farmer,
or shipper beside his goods, and when
the steamer comes in sight, waves flag,
"a lantern is used after dark, and the
boat is headed for the spot: two blasts
from the whistle signifying that they
will stop. AS the boat moved out from