Note 361 — Chapter XVIII
Reading edition
"The boats are fitted," says Captain Hall, "with what is called a snag-chamber;—a partition formed of stout planks, which is calked, and made so effectually water-tight that the foremost end of the vessel is cut off as entirely from the rest of the hold as if it belonged to another boat. If the steam-vessel happen to run against a snag, and that a hole is made in her bow, under the surface, this chamber merely fills with water."—Travels in North America, vol. iii. p. 363.