American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-06-19
From the New York Times.l
FIFTY-F OUR FORTY;

THE STEAMBOAT CAPTAIN WHO WAS
AvERsE TO "RACING."
arly in the spring Of the present year, a
niicent new steamboat was launched upon
zOhio River, and shortly afterward made
appearance at the Levee, opposite the
FISHING city of c.. Gilt-edged COW
developing the Captains respects" ac-
panied with invitations to "see her
ugh" upon her first trip down the river,
forwarded to the editorial corps in that
hity; the chalked hats were numerous"
he occasion. 1t was a grand affair, this
l of floating palace, which has since
ntained her repute untarnished as the
lck boat" par excellence, upon the Wes-
8 waters. Your humble servant was a.
ag the "invited guests" and nice time he
oft!
found myself OH board this beautiful craft,
close communion" with half a score of I'M
btionable "beauties." The company prov
o be a heterogeneous conglomeration of
Eacter-made up Of editors, lawyers, auc-
GERS, indescribables, and "fancles," with
mixing of "none-suchs." There was a
parson, too, in the crowd; but as his lei
3 time "betWeen meals" was spent in trad
horses, we dispensed with his "grace be-
meals"
We left our moorings an hour before sunset,
bn a clear, cold afternoon, and passed ra-
|ly down stream for considerable distance,
bout experiencing any out-of-the-way &C.
renee. The 'sons of temperance" and the
son aforesaid amused themselves over a
hiking whiskey toddy-the "boys" were re-
hing each other of their superAuous dimes
quarters at euchre, when tall gentleman,
10 was "some" (when he was SOBER stepped
fdenly into the cabin, and impaired the in
nation that well-known "fast boat" had
] hove in sight, at the mouth Of Kentuc-
River. The cards were "dropt" nstanter
he punches dsappeared-and the "mour-
|Fsn were soon distributed in knots upon the
menade deck, to watch the progress Of e.
hts.
Dur sbully" boat sped away like bird,
|gever, and the craft behind gave US early
dence that she should offer no chlld's play.
lie STAT was in the fire" at once--a huge
! nmn of black smoke curled up in the clear
ertra turn or tloo was visible
|on our own boat, and away we went! A
|pd deal of excitement existed among the
Fty, as the rival steamboat was clearly gain.
4 upon US. A craft like ours, with such a
|mpany and such a captain, must MT be
Fsten.
AS the boat behind US fell in under our stern
ID we could "count her passengers" sort o.
preston came over us that, by some mistake
had got upon the wrong boat At least
|ch was the expressed opinion of the parson
he threatened to ego down stairs" and TAKE
|other drink. Our captain was noble fel
|w-he paced the deck quietly with constan
he to windward; but he said nothing. A bevy
the "mourners'' stepped up to him with
"What speed, Cap'n?"
"Fair, gentlemen; may say, Uery fair"
|"Smart craft, that, behind,'' ventured one.
"Very," responded the Captain, calmly, a
placed his hand upon small brass knob a
he back of the pilot-house. This movemen
jas responded to by the faint jinglng of a bel
blow, followed Immediately by rush of Gin
Prs from the smoke-pipes and an improved &C
on of the paddles.
Snow we move again"
s'Some," was the response, and a momentar.
|emor pervaded the boat as she "slid along
|ght smartly.
But the craft in our rear moved like gu
hadow on the calm waters, and, as we sho
|oYn the river, it seemed as if we had her ri
bw," so calmly and uniformly did she folio,
! our wake. The excitement of the congre
alton upon deck had by this time become in
Pnse, and it was pretty plain that the boat
bust shortly part company or split something
The rascal behind US took advantage of a tur
the channel, and 'helm-a-starboard! wa
learly heard from the lookout of our rival, a
he shove off," and suddenly fell alongside US