The differences in the two trios are in their steam capabilities and in their times; the second requires about one day extra on the canal, as possibly due to the locking of the tow, though no extra time is required where both locks of the pair are ready. But the extra twenty tons of freight more than pays the extra time.
The times of transit or rates of speed to the two eras are very nearly alike, the steamers of the first having greater steam capabilities, as due to their boat in tow, whilst those of the present era have reduced their steam capabilities to increase their cargoes from the 180 tons to 200 tons.
The times of transit, or rates of speed, are given in the following miscellaneous record, and as published, from time to time, from 1858 to 1862:
The Wack was 7 days, total time, with boat in tow, from Buffalo to Troy.
The Wack was 4 days 16 hours, net time, with half freight, from Troy to Buffalo.
The Sternburg was 28 hours, total time, with boat in tow, from Buffalo to Rochester, 93 miles, averaging 3⅓ miles per hour.
The Ruggles was 5½ days, net time, with boat in tow, from Buffalo to Troy, and 6 days 14 hours, net time, from Buffalo to New York.
The Eclipse was 7½ days, total time, without tow, from Buffalo to Troy, and 5½ days, total time, without tow, from Troy to Buffalo.
The Gold Hunter was 7 days 5 hours, total time, without tow, from Buffalo to Troy.
The Rotary was 4 days 4 hours, total time, with half freight, from Troy to Buffalo, and 3 days 16 hours, net time.