Myron Holley to Lyons Aqueduct

Lyons Republican
Friday, Nov. 30, 1821

On Thursday last, the citizens of this place, were gratified with a view of the elegant Packet-Boat, Myron Holley. She arrived at the aqueduct on Wednesday evening, having on board a large number of persons from Palmyra and other places adjacent to the canal. This boat is well calculated for the accommodation of passengers, and is said to surpass any one on the whole line of the canal. It is 80 feet in length, and 13 ½ in width. It has two convenient rooms for passengers, and will accommodate one hundred persons. It draws but 10 inches of water when loaded, and cost two thousand dollars.

A great number of persons assembled to witness this truly interesting scene. Between two and three hundred embarked on board, when she started back for Palmyra, where she safely arrived the same evening. The banks were literally lined with anxious spectators to behold this elegant specimen of western enterprise. Owing to the unfavorableness of the weather the lock and aqueduct were not in a situation to let the boat pass through, otherwise she would have come down as far as this village. Mr. Seymour Scovel, the owner of the boat, deserves great credit for his remitted exertions in finishing and rendering her thus commodious.

This is the first boat of any magnitude, that has navigated the waters of the Erie Canal, on this section, and we are not a little proud of having it said, that even the forests of the west, have yielded to the enterprising industry of man, and that boats of burden are now gently gliding in the midst thereof. Every one present evinced a degree of pleasure in witnessing, what they dreamed impracticable five years ago. The boat is expected here again next week, should the weather prove favorable.