The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-10-26
from the New York Herald, of the 18th iustl
L. 49,. .r..-I.l... Ola aud ElE.n.nlra

Sailing of the Steamships Ohio and Empire City.
Yesterday, the magnificent steamships Ohio and
Empire CITY sailed from this port, with passengers
for Charleston, Savannah, Havana, New Orleans,
and Chagres. The interest excited was very great
indeed, and the crowds which congregated to wit
ness the departure of their friends were attracted
from motives of curiosity, exceeded, by far, the
numbers on all former occasions OF similar kind.
The day was beautifully fine, and it was deeply
interesting sight to behold those leViathan steam
ships, with their living freights move majesticay
over the tranquil waters, radiant with the beams Of
an unclOuded sun. 1t was sight, too, that touched
the hearts of many of the spectators, they looked
perhaps for the last tme upon their dearest friends
or nearest relatives, and inerchanged the parting
farewell But the sadness of the scene was not
uncheuuered with mirth-there was a flow of
spirits, and buoyant, reckless gayety, that seemed
to bid defiance to all sorrOw while hope spread its
brilliant rainbow before many sangulne heart,
and painted scenes of wealth, and honor, and
glory, and power beyond the waves-anticipations
that, alas are too often doomed to be disappointed,
and, even when realized, fail to satisfy the nsatia-
BILE thirst of men for happiness. 1t has been said,
by great man, 81 that there is but one step from
the sublime to the ridiculous" and that observa-
ton upoD human life was fully realized yesterday,
| in the play of wit and running fire OF less that
mingled with the tears and sobs of aching hearts.
| The Ohio, Capt Schenck, sailed first, and con-
sidering that she only arrived here on Saturday
afternoon it is astonishing she was ready so seOn'
1t was only by great exertions 1t could be &C
| complshed The men who were employed in put
ting on board the luggage and provisions, and
freight, and coal, were up all night on Monday
| Wagons of fowl, and wagons of beef, wagons Of
bread, and wagons of every description of eatabes
| with wagons of ice, were slowed away, While bag
gage covered the deck in all directions, so that i
was almost imp ossbe to get a place to stand OF
Then the berths were being arranged, and, in fact
every part of this vessel was like vast beehive
so busy was each man in his own department, anC
so little time was there to set oil right. She saeJ
exactly at halfpast O'clock from the foot of War
rem street, where there could not have been les
than TO- 900 spectators, including large proportion
of the fair. Not only was the spacious dock GOV
cred, but the docks in the neghbOrhoOd, and al
the ships and steamers, and even their shrouds an
yards. 1t was most exciting scene. She Dor
away 450 passengers, among whom was a con
siderable number Of ladies' and of the other sex
many are men of consideration. The cheering, a
the word "let go" was given, and the noble YES
sci, the pride Of the United States, moved away a
giant of the deep, was loud, and long, and en-
thusastic Ii commenced on the dock, and II wa
responded to from the Ohio, with waving of hat
and handkerchiels, which did not cease to give tn
farewell signal, till they could be no longer be dis
tinguished, She is bound for Charleston, Savau
nah, Havana, and New Orleans. May her Voyag
be prosperous.
The steamer Empire City, Capt Wilson, whic
is also credit TO our merchant marine, sailed 70
Chagres alone, exactly at O'Clock, with about 20
passengers, from pier No. l, North River. TIL
numbers who crowded the wharf, though not 5
great as in the case Of the other ship, were in
mense There could not have been under five c
six thousand persons, of all ages and sexes. tn
same excitement, the same interest marked the OF
casion, as at the sailing of the Ohio, an hour or Nv
before. The piers were crowded with trunks al
all kinds of baggage; and the hustle and confusiC
of sounds-the going in and coming out of the We
sel-the hasty leave takngs-the signing and sa
ness, mingled with humor and fun, all rendered
a scene, which 10 be fully realized, must be W
messed. There was one lady nearly left benin
f and would have been, but for the assistance of
stranger, and many gentlemen barely saved the
distance by hard run. At last the gallant sh
y sailed off, amidst the cheers ofthe assembled tho
sands, blended with the cheers of the vOyage
e Many of them as well as the passengers the Obi
: are bound for the land of gold. May succt
'' crown their entsrpr2ing spirit on the shores OF
Pacific