Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-03-12
Steamboat building.


tain Page know about steamboat building? is
unknown The real inventor of the art of print
ing and Junius may both be discovered. But
never shall we know who the man was who asked,
What does Captain Page know about steamboat
building?
We took a ride down Seventh street yesterday,
clear to the waters edge. You couldn't do that a
few years ago. There was high bank with a
jumping-off place then. Now there is carriage
able road to the pebbly shore: nay, further-for,
by removing goodly portion of the old hill,
Captain P. has stretched his land away into the
river, and thus made deep perpendicular
wharf.
On the high ground you first encounter long
white house, one hundred and fifty feet in length
that might be splendid double-breasted bowl
ing alley, or military drill-house, but is neither
1t is simply draughting-house, where Captain
P. makes his steamboat models-models of his
model steamboats-and lays off the work for his
skilful mechanics.
But what does Captain Page know about steam
boat building? Not much, surely; for we CAN
not learn that any of our folks have had him
under instruction. But from this house let us
descend.
Here is a spiteful little steam engine. And
what is it doing? At this place it is saving
cedar logs into planks very briskly. Chew-ew-
ew-ew ew--how fast it works And here it planes
everything smooth. And here it hews piece of
timber into any desired shape Why, it does every
hing well but talking and of that we hear but
phiz-z-z-z-z chew w-w!'
Where is the old warehouse? Has that been
removed? Twenty-odd years ago it was an old
substantial warehouse, and we bathed in full
view of it; for it was place of perfect retire
ment then. Where is it now? There stands
line and commodious new hotel, and we think
upon the very spot on which the old warehouse
stood. What has become of the old warehouse?
That is it-that hotel, The captains magic wand
has been waved over it, and 10 the change!
The same old river from its mountain sources
still flows onward to the ocean, and here upon
its surface rest certain answers to the oft-re-
peated question, What does Captain Page know
about steamboat building?
The William Selaen, designed for the Baltimore
and Eastern Shore service is commended by it's
beauty, and has earned its reputation for speed
and safety. 1t is at once to be put on ferry duty
between Washington and Alexandria, until
boat is about $33, 900.
The g. W. p. Gusts, (sir-named the Teazer! y
is thing of symmetry and beauty. 1t is nearly
inished and that will be the word-fnished! 1t
IS of elegant proportions and arrangement in every
particular. Its two wheels are to be propelled BY
,wo engines of great power. It's length is l2o
eet, beam IA feet, and draught Of water but 10
move along without towing! Its cost is about
$4,000.
The Union will be ready for launching in four
weeks from the present moment This boat is
being built for the ferry between Washington and
Alexandria, and, it is said, will be able to ac-
commodate farmers, marketers, travellers with
horses, carriages, &c., as well as the ordinary
passengers between the two cities. 1t has the
advantage of not requiring to be turned each
time its direction is changed, like the drunken
sailor in Shakspeares Tempest" having head
at either end. Its cost is about $4,000.
The Richard Baylor, which has just assumed
its "ship-shape," viii be ready for launching in
May. We observe that the whole force Of the
yard has been turned upon it, and that the men
are at work with a hearty goodwill, while tim
Der and everything requisite is being promptly
delivered at the wharf. This boat is of elegant
structure and magnificent proportions, and is
said to be designed for the trade between Balti-
more and Fredericksburg. Its keel is 200 feet
in length, breadth of beam 80 feet, hold 8 feet
3 inches. Besides its splendid passenger accom-
modations, it will be capable Of carrying a rgo
of 400 tons; yet it will not probably draw more
than feet of water Its cost is to be about
$40, 900.
The Champion, a noble boat built last year by
Captain Page, and now on duty between Balti-
more and the Eastern Shore, is the subject of
general praise. Its cost was about S23, 900.
The boilers for the Union have been made by
Smith & Perkins, at Alexandria those for the
Richard Baylor and the G.. W. p. Custis are from
the great establishment Of MINISTRY, in this
city
As Captain Page is determined to run TO and
from his own wharf, there will probably be be-
tween that and the 1Ith-street wharf division
of the ferry business in future. Would that it
could rather prove an increase Still the results
of competition are always advantageous to the
public, and of course there should be no regrets
on the subject. This one thing is very certain,
viz: that Captain Page, in the expenditure of
800, 900 or SO, has done a vast amount of good
to our city. May he continue in his labors and
may he greatly profit by them
BaSn Turkeys arc sometimes fattened, where
we first learned to imbibe by having moistened
corn meal packed down their threats until they