"We have already mentioned the fact that Capt. Curtis Taber for a number of months past has been engaged at Jersey City in constructing an improved steam canal boat, also that a week or two ago the Captain was on his way through the Hudson with his steamer and pushing a consort; both boats being loaded. As the problem of a cheap and effective steam canal boat is one whose solution is fraught with interest to hundreds of boating men in this State, and to no small number in our midst, and as it is owing mainly to the persistence and energy of a citizen of Ithaca that a satisfactory solution of this problem seems at last to have been obtained, we take no slight amount of pride and satisfaction in laying before our readers the following from the Buffalo Commercial of Friday, a well known authority among boating men. It says:
The steam canal boat City of Ithaca arrived in port this morning, pushing her consort the Servia. So far as we are able to judge, this boat is the most complete steamer ever put on the Erie Canal. She is suppled with all the appliances which have hitherto been tried and found practical, and has in addition several improvements never before used. The two vessels are new, full-sized lake-boats, having a combined capacity, with all the machinery in, of 16,000 bushels of wheat, the largest amount ever yet propelled by one set of machinery. When coupled and fully loaded, they are capable of making from two and a half to three miles an hour, according to the condition of the channel navigated...."