Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-03-24
Two NAPHTHA
LAUNCHES ARRIVE

There are two naphtha launches on
the river plying between this city and
South Dauville. In addition to the Que
purchased by ". T. Shepperson, ,allud-
ed to in our last issue, there is one
owned by Harvey Dietrich, proprietor
of the Susquehanna House, South Dan
Vile.
BoPh launches were purchased at
Bloomsbury and brought down the riv-
er on Saturday, arriving here at about
the same time, shortly after the hour
of noon.
The two boats were soon got into
good working order and before night
were in commission carrying passen-
gers backward and forwards over the
river. \ spring in connection with
the engine of Harvey Dietrich's launch
broke, which put the little craft out
of business for a while. 1t was slight
misbap, one generally admitting of easy
and speedy repairs.
TIE launches are very graceful lOOk-
ing handsomely finished though stout
ly built. There seems to be no ques-
tion as to their safety. In point of
speed they are all that could be desir
ed, crossing the river without any ap-
parent effort in less than four minutes.
The little engines being new, when
stopped in mid stream, once in while
fail to respond Immediately when an
eff Ort is made to start but this is
defect which will soon wear off and
meanwhile no accident can oCur, as the
boat is equipped with two strong oars,
which can be used if the regularly de-
signed motive power gives out.
The two launches were the center of
great interest Saturday afternoon and
the river was lined with people on
both shores watching the little boats
making their initial trips.
DR.. w p. Angles launch purchased
last summer is undergoing repairs at
present, but in u short time it will be
in the river with the others. There
are two or three other citizens who
contemplate purchasing boats of the
same type and in view of all this, it
seems probable that our river during
the next few months shall assume an
Importance that it never had before,
not ouly lending itself to the transac-
tion of business between the two
towns but also becoming a source of
much diversion aud pleasure to our
citizens.
A drawback to boating thus far eX-
perieuced lies in the very poor landing
places The upper portion OF the liver
bank is still blocked with ice and it is
only here and there that a walk has
been cleared to the waters edge,
whore although generally free of ice
the ground is very muddy. The large
ice cakes are rapidly wearing away
under the effect of the sun, but it will
be some time before the river banks
/ will be dry enough 10 make walking
/ pleasant. Meanwhile those interested
in carrying passengers will clear off
the banks at several points and try to
i provide a safe and dry place for the
loading and unloading OF passengers.
a. II. Armes Will take charge of
/ Mr.. Shepperson's boat and is now un-
+ der Instructions Mr. Dietrich will
manage hls own launch.
( The fare in vogue Saturday and yes
/ terday was five cents for one way and
ten cents for round trip. These prices
are popular There was no lack OF
passengers already OF Saturday and il
/ is not probable that the boats will
have much spare time as long as the
river remains at point where they
can be operated with advantage