The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-29
History OF the first Steamship that ever
crossed the Atlantic.

To the American steamship Savannah, built by
Croker < Ficktt, at Corlears Hook, in this city,
Is universally conceded the honor of being the first
steam propelled vessel that ever crossed the Allan
tic ocean. From the memory OF of those who
formed her crew, (Alr. A. Thomas, then fireman,)
and believed TO be, with exception, the only
survivor, we are enabled to give succinct nara.
tive of her voyage. According to his understand
ing OF the facts, she was built by company Of
gentlemen, with view of selling her To the
peror of Russia. This company was organized
through the agency OF Captain Moses Rogers, at
forwards her commander. The Savannah
vessel of three hundred and eighty tons, ship
rugged, and was furnished with horizontal
g1nc. This was placed between decks-boilers in
the lower hold.
The Savannah sailed from New York, az in the
second year of the Presidency Of James Monroe"
10 use the words of our informant, or in the year
1919. She first went 10 Savannah. The passage
occupied seven days, four of which she was under
steam. There she was charteredby the corporation,
as an act OF courtesy 20 proceed 10 Charleston for
the purpose OF anording President Monroe, who
was then on a travelling tour through the States,
pleasure excursion. For some reason, he failed 10
go, and the steamer returned 60 Savannah. While
there, forming object OF much attraction, she
Savannah she proceeded direct 10 Liverpool, where
she arrived after passage Of eighteen days, dur
ing seven of which she was under steam.
When about entering st. Georges channel, of
the city OF Cork, she was deserted 10y the comman-
der OF the British feet then lying at that city Sec
ing huge mass of smoke ascending from the wee
eel, envcioping her rigging and ovcrshadowng the
sky, he naturally inferred that vessel was fire
and in distress, and with commcndablc prompt
tude despatched two cutters TO her relief After
passing near her few times, taking full survey,
and hnng few guns across her stern, the steamer
was boarded Finally, being satisfied that all was
right, tho cutters bore away. The news of her ap-
pioach having been tclcgraphod 10 Liverpool, as
she drew near the city, with her sails furlcd and
the American colors dying, the pier heads we're
throDged by many thousand persons, who greeted
her nth the gutlugaetic cbgCrs
Before she came TO anchor, tho decks
crowded that IL was with difficulty the men could
move from one part to the other in the performance
Of their duty. Shc was afterwards visited by many
persons Of distinction, and departed for Elsinore,
on her way ~ 81. Petersburg. She next touched at
Copenhagen where she remained two weeks. Dur
ing her stay, Mr. Hughes, the American consul,
went out IN her on pleasure excursion fourteen.
miles, accompanied by the king and other noted
percentages. From Copenhagen she went 10 Cron
stadt and St. Petersburg. Not being allie TO get
over the bar at the latter place. she lay opposite the
city, six miles distant. Here, too, she was visited
by the American consul, Mr.. Campbell, and by the
emperor. Here, ns at other places, she an OBJ
ject Of much wonderment. She, however, was not
sold, az had been expected, and sailed for home,
putting into Errington on the coast Il Norway, ON
her passage.
From the latter place, she was twcn two days
in reaching Savannah. On account Of the high
price Of fuel, Fhc carried no steam the return
passage, and the wheels were taken OIL. A similar
course was adopted during portion of the time &C
co 'icd by the passage out from the United States
As jt was nearly or quite impossible TO carry out
sufficient fuel for the voyage, during pleasant wca
thcr, the wheels were removed, and canvass substi
tutcd On nearing Liverpool the more cnoctually
10 " astonish the natives" the wheels were re-
'torcd. Attic completion Of this voyage. the Sa-
lnsh was purchased by Captain Nath. Holdregc,
Il cstcd Of ner steam apparatus, and used as
pac kct between Savannah and New York. She
subsequently went ashore on Long Island, and
broke up.
Although Cartain Rodpcr. was offered 500. 900
for her, by the King Of Sweden, TO be paidin hemp
and iron, delivered at New York. Philadelphia, and
Boston, the offer was not acccptcd-thc cash being
wanted. II ia said that $4,000 or S6O,OO0 was
sunk in this Transaction
Captain Rodgers, the commander Of the Sayan-
nah. died few years ago on the Pee Dee river,
North Carolina. Tic - believed 10 be the first man
that run a steamboat either 10 Philadelphia or Bal
tnorc The mate wrs named stephen Rodgers,
and now resides at New london, Connecticut
Nelc York Journal Of Coamsrce.