. Lloyd's steamboat directory, and disasters on the western waters . led the cargo-box, which occupieda considerable portion of the hulk. Near the stern was an apology fora cabin; a straightened apartment six or eight feet in length, in whichthe aristocracy of the boat, viz: the captain and patroon, or steersman,were generally quartered at night. The roof of the cabin was slightlyelevated above the level of the deck, and on this eminence the helmsmanwas stationed to direct the movements of the boat. The barge wascommonly provided with two masts, though some carried but one. Thechief reliance o
. Lloyd's steamboat directory, and disasters on the western waters . led the cargo-box, which occupieda considerable portion of the hulk. Near the stern was an apology fora cabin; a straightened apartment six or eight feet in length, in whichthe aristocracy of the boat, viz: the captain and patroon, or steersman,were generally quartered at night. The roof of the cabin was slightlyelevated above the level of the deck, and on this eminence the helmsmanwas stationed to direct the movements of the boat. The barge wascommonly provided with two masts, though some carried but one. Thechief reliance of the boatmen was on, a large square sail forward, which,when the wind was in the right direction, accelerated the progressivemotion of the boat, and relieved the hands, who at other times wereobliged t^ propel the barge by such laborious methods as we are about(32) THE WESTERN WATERS. 33 to describe. But before we exhibit the process used in navigating theserivers at that period, the reader should be made acquainted with thepeculiarities of the rivers EAKLY NAVIGATION ON THE WESTERN WATERS. The Mississippi, in particular, is celebrated for its turbulence andimpetuosity, and truly it deserves its reputation, for its violent demeanoris such that its own shores are unable to control it. It scorns the limi-tations to which other rivers are subject; and, sometimes, in its capri-cious fury, it sweeps away fields or forests, or any other obstacle to itsheadlong course. Sometimes, indeed, it succeeds in obstructing its ownprogress with a conglomerated mass of earth and trees carried down byits current, and then an inundation of the neighboring country is theusual result. From this description it may appear that the navigation of such astream by the methods formerly in use was no holiday amusement;especially when it became necessary to stem the torrent in ascendingthe river. ■^ Facilis est descensus—to go doivn—in this use, as onmany other occasions, was comparativel
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, booksubjectrailroa, bookyear1856
