A Novel Freight Steamer

A freight boat drawing but eight inches of water! The craft was built for the Mexican trade and will be used in the shallow waters of the Mexican country, says the New York Continent. It is built of quarter-ineh steel plates, is fifty feet in length over all and is three feot in depth. At the trial held recently she was propelled by two six-inch hig-h pressure horizontal entines, which are placed on brackets attached to the frame of the vessel at the extreme corner, so to speak, of the stern. The engine worked satisfactorily and gave the boat a speed of twelve miles an hour, which was more than was expected, as she was not built for f ast traveling1. She is fitted with an Althouse boiler of the most improved fasliion. Her bow is semi-circular, while her bottom is flat. The pilot house on the forward part of the deck is 7 feet wide, 10 feet long and 7 feet 4 inches high. The rest of the deck is perfectly clear, with the exception of the small boiler, which occupies a space of only about 2 by 8 feet, which will remain uncovered. The vessel will easily float in a foot of water, as she draws only eight inches. The craft, instead of having a keel, is furnishod with a centerpiece which is made of steel anti runs the entire length of the vessel. The rudders (two in number) are placed in front of the wheel and are eight feet apart. At present a gang of workmen are cmployed in taking her enginc and boiler apart, and when this is done she will be towed down the East river to the ward steamship Orizaba, when she will be placed on the ster.mship's deck, complete, and oonveyed to Vera Cruz. Tho rapid dessert- llasty pudding.