The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-06-01
IMPRISONED STEAMER.

The Fine Excursion Steamboat Fran
els j. Torrance Too Big for Accom-
mediation by the Locks at Marietta,
in the Muskingum River.
The fine sidewheel excursion steamer,
Francis J. Torrance, said to be the
handsomest river craft aGoat, is pinned
IN the Muskingum river. at Marietta.
and the government refuses to open
the lock unless her owner, the Monon-
gahell and Ohio River Transportation
Company, assumes all risks in case OF
damage to the boat.
1t Is feared that when the boat is let
into the lock chamber that the lower
gates, next to the Ohio river, will give
way under the strong pressure OF wa
ter, and not only do great damage to
the lock, and send n ten-foot torrent
Of water down the Ohio river, but pos
sibly do great damage to the steamer.
The lock has two chambers. That is,
there are three sets OF locks, one set
of gates being almost directly in the
center Of the lock,
To enable the steamer to enter the
lock. two sets Of gates must be opened
and the steamer lowered ten feet, so as
10 get into the Ohio. This would throw
the entire weight Of water In the Mus
Rlngum river on the lower gates, which
are very shaiy, and probably would re-
suit dlsastrously to all concerned.
Capt. John N. Boyd the general
manager OF the line. has been In Mar
letta for week. endeavoring to perfect
arrangements whereby the boat can be
locked through. It appears that the
lock has been in damaged condition
for some time. The lock is an old one.
the flooring on which is built Of blanks.
being unlike the locks on the Ohio and
MonongaheIa rivers. The masonry Of
the lock, as well as the lower gates, IS
IN a. very shaky condition. 1t Is feared
that II the two sets Of gates must be
opened to enable the boats to pass In.
II would cause such n rush OF water us
to wash out the flooring OF the lock,
and also undermine the masonry prob
ably causing It 10 tumble In the river.
Captain Boyd has kept the telegraph
wires hot between Marietta and Wash
ington, d. c.. In an effort to have the
secretary Of war make some arrange
ments whereby he can get his boat out
into the Ohio river. , government In
spector was sent from Washington
Monday. and examined the lock, but
did not give Captain Boyd. Il Is said,
much satisfaction. After making n
thorough examination, the inspector
left for Cincinnati 30 confer with Ma
Tor w. II. Bixby. who has charge Of the
improvements Of the Ohio river.
In The meantime word c1me from
Washington that Captain Royd's boat
would be locked through Into the Ohio
rver. even n II required the building OF
cofferdam to accomplish II. This,
however. would cause delay. II is said
that 4 rise II four feet out OF the Ohio
river would enable the boat to be locked
through without any trouble, This
amount Of water would put four more
feet u wltnr against the lower gates
OF the lock in the MuskIngum river and
would tend to lessen the strain on
them
The owners Of the boat have been
waiting for wcolSs for the rlss to come,
but II hrs failed. The boat Is ready to
60 to Pittsburgh, and has number Of
excursions booked.
The steamCr was built by NJ. C. Knox
Is COMPANY, OF Marietta. ana cost $780,
OCO. She has three decks, md hps =
ballroom that ls 20 feet wide and 10
feet long. the floor Of which Is laid in
white maple. All Of tho ho1ts FUR
rlshlnga arc silk. and the carpets Hre
Of Wilton make. The boat has eight
porlorg. Her furnishings, II Is said.
arc oven superior TO the fnn steamers
that ply the Frcnt lakes The boat Is
2iG feet long, and Just flts the four llrg-
est locks on tho Mononeahell river.
which are located between Pittsburgh
and Brownsville.
Tho boat made n trial trip Monday
night, and her great electric light plant
was kent In full operation. II ls said
thrt hcr hundreds Of lucanlrsceut
LIGHTS made y sIUht that iU rarely witt
messed on tho rivers. Captain Boyd
has great homes that the boat win got
out the Muslingum river during the
present week
raU.f-gsrf Aftgs mr. e., - ,