THE 



AMERICAN 



JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, &c. 



Art. I. — Miscellaneous Observations made during a tour in May, 

 1835, to the Falls of the Cuyahoga, near Lake Erie .' extracted 

 from the Diary of a Naturalist. 



The spring being the most desirable season of the year for trav- 

 eling, when the mild weather, the fresh green foliage of the forest, 

 and the opening flowers, entice one forth to enjoy their various 

 beauties, 1 embarked at 9 o'clock on a pleasant evening in May, on 

 board the steam boat Detroit, for a visit to the falls of the Cuya- 

 hoga. 



Steam Boats. — It is now nearly twenty years since the first boat, 

 propelled by steam, was launched upon the western waters. It 

 was built by Capt. Shreeve, at Brownsville, (Pa.) in that region of 

 country where the earliest improvements were made west of *' the 

 mountains." It was considered, at that time, as a doubtful experiment. 

 The current of the Mississippi was said to be too powerful to bo 

 overcome by steam. The upward commerce on the Ohio and Mis- 

 sissippi, even at that period very considerable, was carried on wholly, 

 in barges and keel boats, propelled by human strength, applied 

 through the cordelle, oar, and pole. The voyage then occupied 

 from three to four months : it is now performed in ten or twelve 

 days. This boat was named the Washington ; while lying at Mari- 

 etta, on her downward voyage, she met with a very serious disaster^ 

 in the explosion of her immense boiler, by which accident twelve 

 men lost their lives, and as many more were very seriously scalded. 

 Being called immediately on board, to attend on the wounded, I re- 

 collect the horrors of that morning, as if it were but of yesterday. 

 At this day few accidents of the kind happen on the Ohio. The 

 engines are better constructed, and built of more durable materials. 



Vol. XXXI.— No. 1. 1 



