The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent., 1851-05-16
From the NJ Bulletin
Early Steam Navigation.

Western country, has revived some interesting
"reminiscences of the origin and progress Of
steam navigation on the Western rivers In
the Democratic RepieD, there Is brief sketch
OF the life and services of Capt SHREEvE, illus,
tratiEg his genius and actions, and enumerating
great variety of adventures and exploits in
which he was engaged, when the great West
was almost an unexplored and wild region.
We extract from the sketch, the following in
teresting items:
In The year 1912, Fulton built at Pittsburgh
the steamer s'Orleans," Of 400 tons, and descen-
ded to NewOrleans, He was satisfied that he
could not ascend the river in this his first boat,
and therefore abandoned her for a trading packet
between New Orleans and Natchez
In the year following, Samuel Smith built a
small steamer at Pittsburgh--the Comet, of 80
tons-on the model of French's patent obtained
in 1909. In 1914, she descended to New Or
leans. and was condemned Tn the same year.
Mr.. Fulton made another trial. The Vesupius
was built by him at Pittsburgh, 445 tons, and de.
scehded 10 New Orleans, under the command of
Capt. Ogden. An effort was made to perform
the ascending voyage, but proved signal fall
ure. The boat was then placed as its predeces.
sor. in the Natchez trade. Thus far the exper.
iments only served to demonstrate that steamers,
like flatbnats. might pass down stream well
enough, but that they would have to be aban-
doned, as were the Kentucky arks, on reaching
New Orleans.
These expensive failures, however. did not
dishearten al western 5oatmen, although most
of them looked unon The project of forcing ves-
sells up the Mississippi with fire and steam, as
practically absurd-an impossibiliiy. It re-
mained for one Of thei- own number to crown
that project with success-to devise improve.
ments by which the steam engine could exert
not only the propeiling power necessary, but
regulate its own motions with the precision of
clock-work. Before his genius was directed
particularly TO the subject, Capt. Shreeva had
taken stock in new steamer, the Enterprise,
45 tons, built at Brownsville, on FreRch's patent
1t was intended b. the owners that be should
command her, but as he was then absent in
New Orleans Capt. Gregg made two voyages
with her TO Louisville during the summer. She
was then loaded with ordnance and military
stnres for Gen Jackson's army, and as Capt
Shreeve had returned to Pittsburgh, he took
command of her on this important mission.
About three months previous, three keel boats
had been also loaded at Pittsburgh with small
arms. On the first of December, 1914, Capt
Shreeve lett Pittsburgh in command of that
small steamer.
On the 9th os May, Capt Shreeve determined
TO make IN effort to ascend the Mississippi to
Louisville; although all previous attempts had
failed, be was convinced thai success was prac-
tical. On the 3lst of that month, Ike "Enter-
przeo reached Lnuisvie-the FIRST steam ves-
sci that ever performed that voyage. lie was
satisfied much Improvement must be made, and
examined closely the engines of Fulton and
French and watched their operations 10 devise
the proper remedies Convinced in his own
mind that the inventions he had matured would
overcome the difficulty, he abandoned the COM
man6 of the Enterprise" for the purpose OF test
ing his plans, and commenced the construction
Of The Washington" 400 tons. That steamer
was the first 'siwo-decker" ON the Western wa.
tars; previously the boilers had always been
placed in the hold OF the vessel. and under Full
tons patent, upright and stationary cylinders
nsed-undcr French's the vibrating cylinder
Despite the rioicule with which his suggestions
were received, he ordered The cylinders to be
placed in hnriznntaI pnsition.
Fulton and French used the single low pres
sure engine; Captain Shreeve built double
high pressure engine, (le first used on tie
western rivers,) he also added his great inven-
tion, the 'cam cut off," by which three fi'ths of
the fuel was saved. Most of these improve
ments have long been in use. although not gem
EARLY known TO be his. The "Washington,"
when finished was unlike any vessel then
known; the machinery weighed only one-twen-
tieth as much as Fuiton's and worked with
about one-half the fuel. The alterations and
improvements Of Capt. s. made the engine es-
senially new machine, and !or many wears
no other model was used west of The Allegha.
MES
In 1877. the Washington made the trip from
New Orleans to Louisville in twenty-five days
'-This was the trip" said the early historian Of
Louisville. "which convinced the despairing pub
lie that steamboat navigation would succeed in
The Western waters" To commemorate the
event the citizens Of Louisville gave Captain
Shreere public dinner, and hailed him as the
first of benelaciors of the Mississippi Valley.
In reply to a complimentary sentiment he pre-
dcted that the time was not distant, when the
asct ndng trip from New Orleans TO louisville
would bq made in ten days-a prediction that
was not we'll received, as II was thought i'm
il has been more than verified
since. The trip has been made in less than
five days
Messrs. Livingston, Fulton a1d oilers OBJ
ained charter fr,m the Orleans Territory,
granting them the exclusive right "to navigate
all vessels propelled by fire and steam, on the
rivers Of said territory" By this abnse of pow
er, honorable competition was checked, and the
Of the west almost checked Cap
an ShreeVe was among the first and most in.
iignant al this outrage on the free rights Of the
people; he determined Ia resist the monopoly
he consequently made frequent trips TO New
Orleans, which caused an expensive law snit,
he company finding they had man Of deter
mined will TO contend against, made offers of
to him, but be spurned them and
refused to enter into any compact that would in
my way retard the interests OF the South and
West. Ile had dared to risk his fortune single
handed, ina contest against the most powerful
of the times--and The same spirit
hat promoted him TO resist at FIRST, impelled him
10 spurn The base brihe, although il promised
,oundless wealth. The Issue was a triumph
which unsealed the arteries Of the Mississippi
Valley.
After the Washington, Captain Shreeve built
he Ohio, United States and George Washing
on, constructed on the model now in common
lse--the first built withthe upper cabin or hnr-
.icane deck. %
In 1924, the attention Of the Government
vas called 10 the deplorabe condition Of the
Aiississippi river from snags and sawyers
Scarcely week passed without a loss to life
ind property from these obstacles.