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Show 4579 Freeman- C 2598 A I know they were attempting paddle wheel navigation, and I have heard something about an attempt to operate the tunnel propellor type boat. Q I wondered whether the paddle wheel engine met with the same difficulty? A I have heard it mentioned on the Missouri and Mississippi as one of the troubles. Q You do not personally know? A Personally I don't understand the engine used on these rivers well enough to answer that definitely. Q What is your definition of a rapid? A That, sir, is a very elastic and arbitrary thing. Q I know it is elastic. That is why I am asking what your definition is. A We had to have an arbitrary standard when we boated through the Grand canyon, which has one hundred or two hundred so- called rapids -- Q Please let's not introduce extraneous matter. I just want to get, when you use the term rapid in connection with the river, what do you personally mean? A A broken stretch of water existing either as a result of rocks or the speed of the river or a very sudden declivity, very steep declivity. May I mention the standard in the Grand canyon voyage? |