59 



One is on the north side, called Indian Schute^ 

 and is the main channel, but not passable when 

 the water is high ; another is near the middle of 

 the river, and called the Middle Schute, and is 

 safe and easy in all heights of water above the mid- 

 dle stage. The third is on the south side, called 

 the Kentucky Schute^ and is only passable when 

 the water is high. Immediately above the falls, 

 in the mouth of Beargrass creek, is a good har- 

 bour, having twelve feet of water in the lowest 

 stage of the river. At the foot of the falls is 

 another harbour, called Rock Harbour, with water 

 sufficient, at all times, for vessels of any burden. 

 These two harbours are of the greatest importance 

 to those who have occasion to navigate this dan- 

 gerous passage. 



Opening a channel for the passage of ships by 

 the Rapids has been seriously contemplated ; which 

 would be of immense advantage to the trade of 

 the Ohio. That it is practicable cannot be doubted. 

 The only difficulty seems to be to raise a fund suf- 

 ficient for the purpose. It has been principally 

 proposed to open the canal on the Kentucky side, 

 to commence Ifelow Beargrass creek, and enter 

 the river below Shippingport, a distance of about 

 one mile and three quarters ; and that it should 

 be sufficient for ships of four hundred tons. The 

 ground through which it would pass is a stiff clay, 

 down to within about three feet of the flower of 

 the canals which then is a rock. The average 

 depth of the canal is computed at about twenty- 



