New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-06-11
CowMODORE JOHN C. STEVENS.

oh 70 attend TO business, and has continued teadi
~ 70 decline until bis last hour His disorders were
a, enIoroemert Of the heart and disease of the
Kidneys.
Mr. Stevens was born in the year l7sJ. His father,
Col John Stevens at time when the subject Of this
notice was youth. purchased the property known as
Hoboken, and resided there until his death. John
was the eldest child. His brother, Robert L. Stevens,
who died in the Spring of 1856 was about two years
his junior. In their boybood and manhood until the
death Of the latter these brothers united by
affection rarely seen, even among brothers. In most
Of their business enterprises they eagued to-
geher aud each broush to bear talent and judgment
peculiar to himself and Of exceeding value to both.
So also did they parake of kindred tastes in their
plans for amusement. From their earliest youth they
were noted among boys and for their love of and
skill in land sports and water sports, horses and boats,
runnue racing, walking and wrestling. Robert was
among the fastest and most enduring walkers
&C his day. Once on a bet made by his brother John,
Robert and younger brother, james A. Stevens,
walked sixteen miles in three hours and after this feat
Robert was so fresh that he able TO excel all Of his
companions on the ground in jumping. Their skill 10
all that pertains 70 boats and yachts began in their
school oays. Johns saiboats and yachts were nu-
inerous ana no two Of them alike. To beat the
-lst oft-repeated attempt, and usually tho
attempt, by its success, cheeled and melted them to
another trial. The models Of the boats and yachts Of
these skilu and energetic brothers would have been
valuable legacy TO science aud their country; and it
is much to be regretted that they have not been pre-
served. The fame Of several of these vessel. has
lasted TO the present time. "The Trouble half as
broad as she was long; The Double Trouble" "Tds
Wave" "The Onkahye," whose speed before the
wind marvellous; then the little "Gimcrack and
last, the far-famed Maria The America wa.
exceedingly fast, but trial had shortly before the
"Amcrica sailed for England the Maria" ran
away from her with ease. The models Of these YES
sells were chiefly the fuit of Robert L. Stevens skill
and genius. And in later years a younger brother
Edwin A. Steyens-Aad great part in working out
and perfccn the lines and bearings of these models
Johp was the aIbter when the rig the sail the trim
of the yacht in question. And he took the helm
when the most work sought to be got out Of the
craft. Perhaps no one excelled him in sailing fore
and-aft sai vessel. The "Waye,' a sloop of about
20 tuns with John G. Stevens at the tiler and Uami
ton Wilkes at the peak halyards, once ran from
New-York to Tivol 200 miles in between seven aud
eight hoursa little less than steamboat speed at that
time. John c. Stevens is most known to the public
from having, as Commodore Of the New-York Yacht
Club represented his country the occasion of the
great Regatta of Cowes in 1850 when the America
Clubs to be conteDded for by the yachts of all nations
The offer of this prize thought here to be intended
as a challenge from our elder brothers in the mother
Country to the Neophyte Yacht Club of Nev-York,
then recently formed. few of the stirring spirits of
that Club determined to take up the gauntlet. Will
liam II. Brown an intelligent and enterprisng ship
builder, offered to build schooner to be modelled
by George Steers the following terms: Nj. Brown
was to build the Yacht and receive she progressed,
stipulated sum- II upon trial the new Yacht
should beat the Maria, and afterward win the
English cup Brown to receive $30, O0O.s But
IL she did not achieve both triumphs, he was
10 pay back the money already paid to him. |
Few men would have been so bold Few knew better |
than he and Steers did, what they undertook. But |
they were both possessed of great selfreiance-were
conscious of great skill, and encouraged by pre-
yious success The America was the result of this
contract 1t is true she beaten by the Maria-a
larger vessel with sloop rgbut she beat the rest of
4be world or so much Of it as in the vicinity of the
Isle Of Wight at tie time, and that was glory enough
for all concerned. Mr.. Steers with picked crew,
took the America to Havre. Mr.. Stevens, with two
or three feuds followed u of the fIavre steamers.
The America YVES prepared for the contest at Havre
and taken to COwes The result was triumph for
the nation; triumph more grateful and scarcely less
iIustIous than victory on the battle hed.
Both Mr. Brown and Mr.. Steers have passed from
among us-a loss to be mOurned by their countrymen
as well as their friends and now we chronicle the
death Of the chief Of the expedition.
Ms Stevens was chosen Commodore of the New
York Yacht Club at its formation and remained so
until he resigned, about year since. About the
wear 1927 the Nessrs Stevens started the first Day
Boat on the Hudson River. The New Philadelphia
made the trip to Albany regularly in II hours; which,
a. memory is not at fault had not been previously
accomplished in less than l6 hours. Then began the
era when one could travel and keep clean. Alas,
railroads have buried it in the dust We must confess
that we look back with regret to the comfort, ease ana
good diuners of the North America, and would DC
willing usually, to foregO for them the " Lightning
Express" and "Ten minutes for refreshments al
Pougi keepsie Few now living remember that Co,
Stevens predicted many years ago. that carriages
drivc1 by steam would run on road along the banks
ofthe Hudson, from New-Iork to Albany Loco
1o,ivca had not then been built and it over f)rty
wear. flor that prediction was published in one of our
New-Yo newspapers, before 1t was fulfilled. COL
S.evc,s WAS also the inventor of the first propeller.
within about week after Fultons first padde-wheel
boat made her first trip to Albany, driven by al en-
oine bultby Watt & Bolton, in England, a boat driven
by a steam engine and screw, planned by ana ont
under The eyes of the ingenious father and no less u'
cenio,s SON Robert-with John at the helm and
Robot M the engine-crossed the New-lork liaroor
between HobOken and this city That propeller j.
now eserved at IIoboken and challenges the adhuS-
ton Of our mathematcians and mechanics OF Tue
pres0s dav by its curves and efficiency OF iorhl'
Statesmen and soldiers often their country-Such
men a. the Stevenss father and sons make country
In 1880 the Messrs Stevens turned their energies to