Rochester, Monroe, NY
Union & Advertiser
Tue
Mar 29, 1859
MARRIED
On the 29th inst., by Rev. G. D. BOARDMAN, Mr. Wm. T. SIMPSON and Miss Belinda L, daughter of Dr. D. L. BARROWS, both of this city.
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DIED
On the 28th inst., of congestion of the lungs, Nathan H. BLOSSOM, aged 44 years.
-Funeral at his late residence, North st., on Wednesday afternoon, at 2 1/2 o'clock. Friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend.
Died suddenly on Sunday morning, 27th inst., of disease of the heart, Richard T. FIELD, aged 22(?) years.
-Funeral from his late residence, 63 Gregory st., near South Avenue, to-morrow (Wednesday), 2 1/2 P. M. Friends of the family are invited to attend.
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Lake Steamers - Paddle Wheels
Giving Place to Screws - A New Enterprise
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It will be but reiterating to say that we have often expressed in these columns, to say that the days of side-wheel
steamers on the Lakes are drawing to an end, and that so fast as these now afloat are disposed of, their places
will be abandoned or filled with less expensive craft. We are not aware that more than three or four paddle-wheel
steamers are now being constructed on the Lakes, and such as we know of, two at Buffalo, are designed for a peculiar
trade, which none in use are adapted to. We refer to the railroad boats across Lake Michigan, to connect the Detroit
and Milwaukee Railroad with the city of Milwaukee. They are to be without guards - a sort of steamship, for winter
as well as summer service. The great steam palaces of Lake Erie, which did not come out last season at all, may
be used at times while they last, to accomplish the ends of certain railroad companies, but never to be a source
of revenue to owners.
The truth is, there is not business enough on Lake Ontario to support a daily of good side-wheel steamers between
any two or more ports. It is barely possible that the Canada line of small or medium class steamers, by running
through to Montreal and Quebec from Hamilton, as they will this season, may pay running expenses and bring a few
crumbs for the owners, but even this is doubtful. The American Steamboat Company are trying to sell their best
boats to go to the Atlantic, and propose with the others to make a living along shore, if they can. We hope they
may, but do not see how it can be done.
The cause in this general falling off in the patronage of Lake Steamers is attributable to the railroads, which
follow the lakes on either side, and by greater speed and low rates of fare and freight, divert enough trade to
ruin the steamboat business. The owners of the boats have only to withdraw from the field or reduce their capital
and expenses to suit the patronage they receive. Experience has demonstrated on ocean and lake that the screw is
a far more economical method of propulsion than the paddle wheel, and the former are taking the place of the latter
on both salt and fresh waters.
The best lines of screw vessels on the lakes are more comfortable to travelers than were the side-wheel boats
10 or 15 years since, and are actually faster. Indeed, we do not know but they are as comfortable as the modern
paddle-wheel craft, taking all things into account. That they can be constructed and operated at far less cost,
of course no one will deny. Then we think the sooner the paddle wheels are abandoned the better for a - better
for the owners, if they do not want to lose money running them, - better for the public who are to be taxed for
what they receive.
We of Rochester have the most interest in the trade on Lake Ontario, and desire, of course, to see profitable steam
communication maintained on this water between our own and other ports, on both sides of the Lake and the St. Lawrence.
We do not believe that such trade can be carried on any longer by paddle-wheel steamers, and therefore look with
hope to the substitution of such craft as will prove profitable as well as useful.
We understand that Capt. H. N. THROOP, a man of great experience in the trade of this Lake, takes the view we have
expressed, and has applied himself to the task of effecting a change. Capt.
THROOP was a sailor in his youth, and
has for 20 years been in command of a steamer on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence. More than 20 years ago he modeled
and constructed, at Pultneyville a little steamer called the "Express," and commanded her till she gave
place to a larger and better boat, and that in turn gave room to the "Ontario," which was one of the
best boats the American Company ever owned, taking all things into account.
He planned the "Ontario" and was entirely successful. We are informed that Capt. T. has been engaged
the past winter in making the models and drawings of a new craft for lake trade, as well as experimenting with
various wheels used for propulsion. The new craft to which we refer is a propeller for Lake Ontario and the Upper
St. Lawrence, designed for freight and passengers, to take the place of the side-wheel boats when they shall be
worn out or disposed of otherwise. We have nothing very definite as to the plan or style of the boats to be constructed,
if the idea of Capt. THROOP is carried out, though it is said they are to be 400 tons burthen, capable of taking
in 300 tons of freight, and are to have a nice upper saloon and state rooms for passengers.
They will not cost more than $30,000 each, will be fast enough to make 12 or 15 miles per hour, and can be operated
at about half the expense now attending a steamer. It is contemplated to form a company to construct four of these
boats for a line between Ogdensburgh and Toronto or Lewiston, calling at way ports. The enterprise of Capt. T.
looks feasible, and we hope will be carried into operation. No man is more competent than he to lay the plans for
such an undertaking.
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GjS