^O. 4.] SELWYN — THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORY. 213 



wan, between Carlton, Victoria, and Edmonton. The sites selected 

 ibr these trials should be as near ys possible to the level of the 

 river, by which means the penetration of a considerable thickness 

 •of gravel, boulder drift, and sand, before reaching the cretaceous 

 strati, would be avoided, and the trouble and expense would be 

 proportionately diminished. 



In conclusion, I may perhaps make a few remarks respecting 



the fitness of the Saskatchewan River for steamboat navigation, 



• a subje3t wliich at the present moment is attracting considerable 



: attention in connection with the establishing of a Canadian traos- 



"contiuental route to British Columbia. 



My journey down the Saskatchewan was performed between 

 'the 12th of September and the ITth of October, and therefore, 'm 

 ^-some respects, at a very unfavourable season to judge of the prac- 

 ticability of navigating it with steamboats. Throughout the 

 whole length of the river, the channel is more or less subdivided 

 \hy islands, and every sub-channel is further cut up and obstructed 

 by sand-banks and shoals. Of course I saw them almost at their 

 worst, as the water was everywhere from two to four feet lower 

 than ic would be at the opening of navigation in May or early 

 in June, Nothing whatever can, I believe, be done that would 

 -obviate or lessen the constant formation and shifting of the shoals 

 -and sand-b inks and the consequent annual changes in the posi- 

 tion and depth of the main channel; a circumstance which must 

 always render the navigation of the Saskatchewan above Fort u 

 Ja Coi'iie more or less subject to delays, and especially so towards 

 the latter end of the season. For four months, however, under 

 ordinary circurastai*ees, no very serious obstacles would be en- 

 <;ountered in the navigation of the river from above the Grand 

 Kapid to Rocky M'Ofuntain House, by properly constructed steam- 

 boats. Moderate length, powerful engines, light draft, and as 

 much strength as possible below the water line are essential 

 points i« the construction of any steamer which may be built for 

 the navigation of the Saskatchewan. Last year, the Hudson's Bay 

 Oompauy built a steamboat intended to run from above the Grand 

 Rapids to Edmonton, and her complete failure and loss on the 

 "Cross Lake Rapid may be ascribed almost entirely to want of at 

 tentiom to these requirements. She was far too long, and also too 

 weak both in hull and machinery ; and my impression, when 1 

 -saw her iying a wreck on the bank of the river, was that the 

 person who constructed her could never have travelled the route 



