SOMETHING NEW - STEAMER ON THE SAGINAW
The necessity and want of the means of transporting the surplus products of this section of the State to market has long been felt by those in lumbering and other business pursuits on the Saginaw river and its tributaries, and last fall a company of gentlemen, extensively interested, went on to Pittsburgh and after examining the model and build of the river boats there, received proposals for building a similar one for navigating the northern streams of our State. The boat was built at Saginaw last winter, under the superintendence of a Pittsburgh mechanic, and will be out this week, to commence her regular trips. She is owned by Daniel, Fitzhugh, Emerson, Eldredge, Frazier, and Addison Mowrey, and will cost about $6,000. She is built flat bottom, has two engines - is over on hundred and twenty feet in length, will draw about 10 inches of water when loaded, and will have over 150 miles navigable water to ply on. - The Flint is navigable as far as Flushing, the Shiawassee to Northampton, the Cass to Bridgeport, the Titebawassee to the State Salt works, and at certain seasons of the year the navigation is open much farther. By taking a map of Michigan it will be seen that this circuit includes a large extent of territory, some of the very best farming and grazing lands and an extensive lumber district. The surplus products of the country will seek this route for a market, provided the carrying trade can be done was expeditiously and cheaper than by any other route. The owners of this boat have confidence in the project and expect before many years to see others following their example. It's a pioneer investment and we see no reason why it should not prove a profitable one, and be the means of inducing a steady and healthy settlement of the country around. The boat is built for towing rats and with two powerful engines, and her light draft will be able to float in very shallow water.