Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-08-09
History of the First steamship that ever
Crossed the Atlantic.

To the American steamship Savannah, built
by Crocker e. Fickit at Corlears Hook, in
this city, is universally conceded the honor Of
being the first steam.propelled vessel that ever
crossed the Atlantic ocean. From the memory
of one of those who formed her crew, Mr.. A.
Thomas, then fireman aud believed to be, with
one exception, the only survivor, we are ena-
bed to give succinct narrative Of her voyage
According TO Lis understanding Of the facts,
she was built by company OF gentlemen, with
view of selling her to the Emperor of Russia
This company was organized through the
agency of Capt. Moses Rogers, afterwards her
commander. The Savannah was vessel Of
$50 tons shp-riggcd, and was furnished with
horizontal engine. This was placed between
decks-bollers in the lower hold.
The Savannah sailed from New York, in
the second year of the Presidency of James
Monroe to use the words of onr informant,
or in the year 1919 She first went TO Savan-
nah. 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 pnl-
pose of ati'ordng President Monroe, who was
then on a travelling tour through the States,
with pleasure excursion. For some rea son,
he failed to go, and the steamer returned To
Savannah. While there, forming an object of
much attraction, she took out a peasur ,-party
to Tyte, Light From Savannah, she pro-
coeded direct to Liverpool, where she arrived
after 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 tho
commander of the British feet, then laying at
;hat city. Seeing a huge mass Of smoke as
| n ol Iar rin
and overshadowing the sky, he naturally in,
! ferred that vessel was on fire and ia distress
and with commendaLe promptitude despatches
two cutters to her relief. After passing neal
her few times, taking a full survey, ant
firing a few guns across her stern, the steamer
was boarded. Finally, being satisfied that al
was right, the cutters bore away. The new,
of her approach having been telegraphed Il
Liverpool, as she drew near the city, with he
sails furled and the American colors flying, thu
per-heads were thronged by many thousand
persons, who greeted her with the most cnthu
siastic cheers.
Before she came tG anchor, the decks wer'
so crowded that it was with difficulty that th'
men could move from one part to another, II
the performance of their duty. She was after
wards visited bv many persons OF distinction
and departed for Elsinore, on her way to st
Petersburg. She next touched at Copenhagen
where she remained two weeks. During he
stay, Mr.. Hughes the American Consul, wen
out in her Oh pleasure excursion iourteeI
miles, accompanied by the king and other no.
ed paraonages, From Copenhagen, she wen
i to Cronstadt and ST. Petersburgh. Not ben
able to get over the bar nj the latter place, s''
lay opposite the city, six miles distant. Here
toe, she was visited by the American C'nsu
Nj Campbell, and by the Emperor Here, a
at other places, she was an object OF nuc
, wonderment. She, however, was not Sold al
had been expected, and sailed for home, pu
ting into Errngron, on the coast of Norway, O
} the passage. From the latter place, she WA
twenry.tyo days in reaching Savannah. O
\. account of the high price OF fuel, she carried II
b steam on the return passage; and the whee
= were taken off. A similar course was adopte
e during portion Of the time occupied by Il
|. passage out from the United States. As 1t Wa
nearly or quite impossible to carry suficieI
/, fuel for the voyage, during pleasant wealhe
}, the wheels were removed, and canvass subs'
e. tutet. On oeanng LHerPco!, tue moe efie