The North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1834-1850, 1850-08-28

THE FIRST ATLANTIC sTEAMsH1P.

THE FIRST ATLANTIC STEAMSHIP.
To the American steamship Savannah, built by
Croker Fckit. at Corlears Hook, in this city, is
universally conceded the honor of being the first
steam propelled vessel that crossed the Atlantic
ocean. From the memory Of one of those who form
ed the crew, (Mr. A. Thomas, then freman,) and
believed to be, with exception the only survivor,
we are enabled to give succinct narrative of her
voyage According to his understanding Of the facts,
she was built by company of gentlemen, with a
view of selling her to the emperor of Russia. This
company was organized through the agency of Capt.
Moses Rogers, afterwards her commander. The Sa-
vannah was vessel of three hundred and eighty
tons. shprgged, and was furnished with horizon
tai engine. This was placed between decks-boilers
in the lower hold.
The Savannah sailed from New York, Sin the Sec
ond year of the Presidency of James Monroe" to
use the words of informant, in the year 1919.
She first went to Savannah. The passage occupied
seven days, four of which she was under steam.
There she was chartered by the corporation, as an
act of courtesy to proceed to Charleston for the pur-
pose of affording President Monroe, who was then
on travelling tour through the States, pleasure ex
cursion. For some reason, he failed to 60, and the
steamer returned to Savannah. While there, FORM
ure-pasy to Tybee light From Savannah she pro-
ceeded direct to Liverpool, where she arrived after
a passage of eighteen days, during seven of which
she was under steam.
When about entering St. Georges channel, off the
city Of Cork, she was deserted by the commander
of the British fleet, then lying at that city, Seeing
huge mass of smoke ascending from the vessel,
veloping her rigging and overshadowing the sky, he
naturally inferred that vessel fire and in dis
tress, and with commendable promptitude despatch
ed two cutters to her relief After passing near her
few times, taking full survey, and firing few
guns across her stern, the steamer boarded Fl
nally, being satisfied that all right, the cutters
bore away. The news of her approach having been
telegraphed to Liverpool, she drew the city,
with her sails furled and the American cplors flying,
sons, who greeted her with enthusiastic cheers.
Before she came to anchor. the decks were 80
crowded that it was with difficulty the men could
move from part to the ether, in the performance
of their duty She was afterwards visited by many
persons Of Distinction and departed for Elsinore on
her way to st. 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 a pleasure excursion fourteen miles
accompanied by the king and other noted person
ages. From Copenhagen she went to Cronstadt and
st. Petersburg: Not being able 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. as at other places. she was object of much
wonderment. She, however, was not sold, as had
been expected, and sailed for home putting into Err
rington on the coast of Norway, on her passage.
From the latter place, she was twenty-five days
In reaching Savannah. On account of the high price
OF fuel, she carried steam the return passage,
and the wheels were taken off. similar course
was adopted during portion Of the time occupied
by the passage out r:,m the United States. As it
was nearly quite impossible to carry out sufficient
fuel for the voyage, during pleasant weather. the
wheels were removed, and canvass substituted. On
nearing Liverpool, the more eectually IS astonish
the naiives, the wheels restored. At the COM
Pleiion of this voyage, the Savannah was purchased
by Captain Nath. Holdrege, divested of her steam
apparatus, and used as packet between Savannah
and New York. She subsequently went ashore on
Long Island, and broke up.
Although Captain Rodgers was offered 100000
70. her, by the King of Sweden, to be paid in hemp
and iron, delivered at New York, Philadelphia. and
Boston, the offer was not accepted-the cash being
wanted. I. is said that $4,000 or 100000 was
sunk in this transaction.
Captain Rodgers, the commander of the Savan-
nah, died few years ago the Pee Dee river,
North Carolina. He is believed to be the first man
that steamboat either to Philadelphia or Balti-
more. The mate was named Stephen Rodgers, and
now resides at New London, Connecticst.
NesD York Journal Of Commerce.