Canal Steam Boats

Canal Steam Boats. - The steamboat "Erie Canal" passed this village on Wednesday last, on her way to the west. There are different opinions with regard to the practicability of employing steamboats on the canal - that is, whether, notwithstanding the cheapness of fuel, they can be made to perform their routes, and carry an equal amount of cargo, as economically as boats propelled by horse power.

The machinery necessarily occupies a considerable part of the boat, and it would appear that sufficient space was left for a cargo of much bulk. We were informed by those on board that the engine was of sufficient power to propel the boat from four to five miles an hour; and some improvements were contemplated which would increase her speed.

There is less danger to the canal banks from one of these boats than from the packets, as the wheels are placed at the stern, and the principal agitation of the water takes place there, and not at the sides as in the case of boats propelled in the usual way.