14 HYDROGRAPHIC REPORT. 
feet stroke; a stern-wheel eighteen feet in diameter; the hull to be separated into four water- 
tight compartments, one at the bow, one enclosing the boiler, 4 third behind the space set 
apart for stowing the cargo, and the fourth near the stern; to be steered by three wooden rud- 
ders; the bottom to have such a sheer aft that the lower edge of the transom may be, when 
the boat is loaded, about two inches above the surface of the water, so that the pilot can see 
by looking over the rail if any of the rudders are bent or foul; to be provided with a capstan; 
with two anchors of one hundred and twenty-five pounds weight, and a small kedge anchor; 
with plenty of extra rudders, wheel buckets, and stout lines. 
The water of the Colorado holds in suspension a large amount of fine silicious sand, sharp as 
emery, that cuts away the valves almost as rapidly as it could be done with a file. Unless the 
boiler is made large it would require but a week’s service to disable the engine so as to render 
it impossible to run the boat. 
A steamboat, built as above described, and run by an experienced pilot, would occupy, in 
making a round trip from the mouth of the river to the head of navigation, from twelve days 
to five weeks; depending upon the season of the year and the stage of the water. 
FUEL. 
Wood of excellent quality for the purpose of fuel can be obtained in abundance, alongside of 
the bank, at short intervals, between the mouth of the river and the Painted cation. It is 
principally mesquite, willow, and cottonwood. There are large groves of sun-dried trees, ready 
for instant use. The mezquite wood makes the hottest fire, but, if much used, injures the | 
boiler. Between the Painted and Black cafions, wood is less frequently met with, and were 
this part of the river to be constantly navigated, it would be necessary to establish depots, 
which would derive their supply from below. 
ESTIMATE OF COST OF TRANSPORTATION. 
A suitable boat, capable of carrying sixty tons, should be able to make fifty trips between 
tide water and the head of navigation before becoming unserviceable. Such a number ought 
certainly to be accomplished within six years, which would enable 3,000 tons of freight to be 
carried to the highest navigable point during that period. A boat of the character described 
could be built and put together at the mouth of the river for-.--....++.eeee++ $20,000 00 
The annual expenses of running her would be— 
For pay of captain seh ss CG Loe PIN Sh Gs eRe eek ors $2, 000 00 
For pay of pilot ENO eR ee nee See ee ee gale qs ple e week 2,000 00 
For pay of two engineers, at $1,500 each...........-.-.220 eee 3,900 00 
mor pay of cight hands, at $450 cach....-...-- one. s-s- ep sees 3,600 00 
For rations of twelve men, at 30 cents per day, about-.......... 1,300 00 
Pe SOME ee ee eee ~ 1,100 00 
egg Ha) ieee, RO CE Pte a at abel ce ale 13,000 00 
Expenses for six years - ce ET RN rae a aie 00: SF i ertngrs Ss ici pa hana 78,000 00 
Total expense of transportation of 3,000 tons of freight .-..--..---. sss. eeeeee 98,000 00 
Or about $30 per ton. : 
No estimate is made for expense of fuel. The boats are unable to run at night. As has 
been stated, there is abundance of wood along the banks, and eight men, while at camp, would 
be able to lay in a sufficient amount for a day’s consumption. 
It is believed that the above estimate is a liberal one, and rather exceeds than falls below 
the expenditure that would be actually involved were a sufficient amount of transportation 
business done upon the river to keep the boats in service constantly employed. 
