312 JVotices of American Steam Boats. 



were totoed through the same rout, by a single steam boat, in an 

 equal range of time. 



The power and speed of the Hudson river steam boats, as well 

 as those employed on the Mississippi and elsewhere, have continued 

 to be annually increased, up to the present time. In the year 

 1827, the passage between New York and Albany, which is suppo- 

 sed to be equal to one hundred and fifty statute miles,* had been per- 

 formed under favorable circumstances, in about twelve hours. In 

 1829, this passage had been accomplished in ten hours and thirty 

 minutes, and in 1831, in ten hours and fifteen minutes ; all the stop- 

 pages on the river being included in these statements. But the giant 

 offspring of science and the arts had not yet attained its full strength 

 and maturity, and during the present season (1832) the passage has 

 been performed in nine hours and eighteen minutes, including the 

 time spent at the different landings. Claims to this rate of speed, 

 have also been set up by more than one competitor. It appears 

 highly probable, that with the means now possessed or in preparation, 

 the passage may yet be performed in something less than nine hours, 

 nothwilhstanding the obstacles presented by the shallowness of the 

 river and the intricacies of the navigation, in the thirty miles nearest 

 to Albany. It may be remarked here that the length of the route as 

 above given, is not supposed to be overrated, as is usually the fact 

 with inland navigable routes; nor can the assistance of the tides in 

 ascending the river be fairly estimated at more than one mile per 

 hour, on an average of the whole distance ; while, in the descending 

 passage, little or no advantge can be derived from this source, be- 

 cause the ebb and flood are then made to alternate in three hours, or 

 €ven in a shorter period. Twelve landings are usually made on each 

 passage, and at six of these places, the steam boats are commonly 

 brought to, and fastened to the wharves. 



Those who are conversant with the difficulties which att.=nd th? 

 attainment of high velocities in navigating a medium whose re^islar- 

 accumulates in a ratio exceeding the squares of the velocities stu- 

 means of an artificial power, the reaction for which, is obtained ^ugh 

 the medium itself, will justly consider the above rates of jipeetThe 

 extraordinary. Nor will this view of the subject be weakened lad 



- mt, 



* The distance between the two points by the river road is reputed to Hp equ 7, . 

 one hundred and sixty two miles. The direction or course, of the cli 

 river, though generally favorable, ranges between west., and east-i; . 



