Steam-ships of the United States—Improvements in form of
hull—Natural facilities for Steam Navigation in America—Her
lakes—Canals—Harbours—Rivers—Seaboard—Bays and roadsteads—Rapid
increase of steam-vessels—First vessels built for the western rivers
and lakes—Dangers of River Navigation—Number of steamers lost by
“snags,” ice, fire, and collision, 1831-1833—Peculiar description of
wharves and _levees_—Description of steamers employed—Boats of the
Mississippi—Boatmen—Engines of the steamers—Different construction
of the steamers on the Atlantic rivers—Great speed of American
lake and river steamers—Peculiarity of construction—Steamer _New
World_—Details of her construction—The _Daniel Drew_—Her enormous
speed—Pacific Steam-ship Company started, 1847—Cost of establishing
it—Speed of its vessels—Difficulties to encounter—Number of its
steamers—Services performed—China and Japan line—“Law” line of
steamers—South American Steamship Company—Mr. Randall’s projected
large American steamer—Details of proposed ship—Two sets of
paddle-wheels—Principle of construction—Advantages to be derived from
vessels thus built—Mr. Randall’s experience of steamers employed on
the lakes, and the Pacific