'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎156] (265/496)

the current at halt power, and steers better in the shoal water. River
falling.
l&th August .—In a narrow part of the river where the current was
stronger than usual, the vessel swerved off against her helm, and the helm
was ordered to be shifted to let the vessel turn quite round and clear
the bank towards which she was running; but not turning quick enough,
the port wheel took the bank. When the vessels head was down stream
the speed of the vessel must have been nine miles an hour over the
ground. When this unfortunately happened, the engines were stopt, but
the vessel had not lost her way: the wheel was bent a good deal, and six
floats split to pieces ; one rivet of the boss broken ; the wheel stopt the
vessel for the time. The Meanee, though very slightly built, is of the
very best material. After this accident, as the state of the port wheel
prevented the engines being turned ahead, anchors were let go for the
night and lines sent to the bank.
17th August .—Had two places of only three to four feet water all
across, the channel changing from the old bed. At one point in the river
an island divided the stream into two channels. The vessel was taken up
the old one: its communication with the main channel at the upper part
of the island was narrowed to twenty feet in breadth and eighteen feet
in depth. The bank of sand which formed one side of the channel had
only two feet water on it. The steamer was warped through, the sand
washing from under her as she moved ahead. Passed the first raft of
timber yet met with.
17th August .—the ruined fort of Nimrod. The channel very
wide and shallow. Vessel makes good progress—thirty-three miles to-day,
and the river rising.
18th August .—In some places the vessel hardly gained over the cur
rent, particularly near Molunkee village, where the river is contracted.
Made fast to the bank opposite Ferozepoor fort at 4.50, having been
51.15 under steam from Pank Puttun to Ferozepoor. The distance in a
direct line is seventy-five and a half miles,—by the river one-hundred and
fifty-five miles; which gives an average of three miles 1 an hour against the
current at this season.
This experiment, then, must be considered to be a failure from want of
power in the vessel to tow a flat of equal size and in-
Prineipai^cau 863 g iners j on against the current in the flood season.
In some places a deficiency in depth of water was experienced, but
these were below Bahawulpoor.
Had the vessel steered in her own depth of water—as the old construc
tion vessels do,—the strength of the current might nearly have been
evaded, and thd vessels taken up in comparatively slack water. This taui
in the steerage was also the cause of all the damage sustained, or dangei
incurred, to the vessels on their way up.