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Edwardsville Spectator
Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois
What is this article about?
In St. Louis, Col. Henry Atkinson adapted wheel propulsion from a ferry-boat to a military barge, successfully testing it on the Missouri River for transporting U.S. troops and stores. Two more barges are being similarly equipped.
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"St. Louis, June 28, 1819."
"Last week Col. Henry Atkinson, on seeing the ferry-boat at this place worked by wheels, immediately conceived the idea of applying that improvement to his barges bound up the Missouri with United States' troops and public stores. In about three days he had one of them rigged with wheels, and a trial made, which was successful beyond expectation. The barge was run up the Missouri about two miles against as rapid water as there is at any other point on that river, and returned to the place from whence it started in the space of thirty minutes. This improvement, simple in itself, promises fair to be an incalculable advantage to the government in the conveyance of troops and stores up those vast waters, the Missouri and Mississippi, where such advanced positions are about to be made. Two other barges, engaged in the same expedition, are nearly completed in the same manner. A pair of wheels are fixed to each barge, and five men tread at a time at each pair of wheels.
"We are much gratified to find the government placing in command of this important department, an officer of so much merit, promptness, and decision, as Col. Atkinson. He has our best wishes for the success of the important enterprise his troops are now embarking in."
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
St. Louis
Event Date
Last Week, June 28, 1819
Key Persons
Outcome
successful trial: barge run up the missouri about two miles against rapid water and returned in thirty minutes. improvement promises advantage to government in conveyance of troops and stores. two other barges nearly completed similarly.
Event Details
Col. Henry Atkinson conceived idea of applying wheel propulsion from ferry-boat to barges bound up Missouri with U.S. troops and stores. In three days, one barge rigged with wheels; trial successful beyond expectation. A pair of wheels fixed to each barge, five men tread at a time at each pair.