Navigation of White River

We learn from the Spencer (Owen county) Republican of the 12th inst., that the steamer Porter, which runs up White River as far as Point Commerce, attempted to extend her trip to Spencer, but was prevented by a mill dam two miles below that place. These mill dams, in such large streams as White river, are a great nuisance, not only preventing navigation by steamboats, but also greatly obstructing flat-boat navigation, as large numbers of boats are yearly lost in attempting to pass over them.

We have no doubt that White river can and will be made a navigable stream for a considerable distance up. It is but a short time since boats have regularly plied to Point Commerce, and now a considerable trade passes up to and down from that place. Let the obstructions in the shape of mill dams be removed, and other improvements will soon follow. The navigation of the river by steamboats will in a very short time change the whole aspect of the White river country.