Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-08-19
For the journal.


The Prometheus.
Though steamboat was launched upon the Hudson
early 1907 still many years elapsed before steam
ers, even at the North became numerous, attained
anything like the proportion that characterizes them
now.
In 1874 North Carolina. in token of her regard
named county after the distinguished Arthur Onslow*
The motto of the Onsow family is FL stina lente'-
Now, whether the popularity OF Mr.. Onsow was due to
the belief that the motto tersey expressed personal
quality of the race prudence cauuoa does not ap
pear but certainly it may be said with propriety that
the State then adopted the motto as rule OF life and
poity 1t only recently that the State has departed
from the even tenor of her way and plunged into debt
at the instance of philosophical gentlemen, eager to FIJI
their own pockets-Jerremy Didders magnificent
scale 1t had been well for the taxpayers had it been
otherwise. But reUen0ns nos mout0lS."
Excited by the accounts OF the Northern press and
stimulated by the reports of Travelled ownsmen the pee
pie of Wilmington, length, in the year 1878 thought
the time had arrived for the introduction OF steamers OF
the Cape Fear The town Rolled and the necessa-
ry sum raised-guardaDs investing the funds
of Minors and widows emptying old stockings OF their
store of pieces of silver and copper
The stock being all subscribed, the question then
arose =" W no shall direct the enterprise" Of course
in Wilmington, the solution was easy. Who so proper
men from the North-the further the better. Was
ankee ever seen here who not qualified for any
post vocation that promised pecuniary gain Such
is the genius of that marvellous race that they accom-
psh with hey presto % what costs others the labor
of years Be the Yankee what he may carry the induce
ment of good salary, and he will instantly qualify him.
self to be University President, Preacher, Bank Drec
tor or Cashier Engineer Geologist Botanst Poet His
toran Judge whatever you please or ingenuity itself
can suggest. The business cunhded to proper
hands. steamer was constructed at Beaufort N u,
equipped with machinery from the North and chrsten-
ed the Prometheus.
1t was deemed proper that none but most expert
and tried should be sent to bring the boat round
to Wilmington. Alter canvass OF the claims OF all
the old salts connected with the port, Captain eau
tier was selected.
In few weeks Captain Gautier announced by mail,
the hour of bis departure from Beaufort Day after
day rolled on and yet no boat appeared Public eX-
pectation subsidized from fever heat to the chill OF dcs-
pair At last column of smoke discerned just be-
yond the Dram Tree. The Boat the boat! The
cry was repeated in every direction it flew up the
streets through the alleys, into shops stores dwellings
and kitchens it increased from moment to moment, IN
volume and might, and and anon exploded into a
shout of triumph.
Soon the whole population assembled upon the
Wharves. The boat was visible Three cheers were
proposed and given for the boat three ditto for eau
tier and three ditto for Fulton. Language cannot
describe the enthusiasm the harity, the riot Of the
casion.
But alas the boat seemed enamored of the dram
tree and lOath to leave its II 1t moved at all the
motion was imperceptble Disappointment that ever
waits on hope began to knock at the hearts of The
crowd Had it not been for the dense clouds OF smoke
that assembled from the boat and enveoped the sky ont
might have supposed it an Illusion not reality. Th
reaction from excitement to dependency was mark
ed and painful Various were the remarks as the humor
IOf individuals
1t is not large enough to hold engine sufficient.
powerful to propel it"
| g always thought it a darned Yankee humbug"
, "1he COMPOUNDED thing is too large and clumsey.'
"Who could expect a vehicle to do anything with on
wheel"
But now the boat had, evidently, approached neare
the town and shreWd ship chandler related story tina
did much to restore good humor he said that visi
to home" be had stopped at Providence R. l., tina
seeing large assemblage upon the waters edge he ha
strayed hther, that little steamer small tina
he could have tucked it unGer his arms, seen t
glide swiftly away from the shore that just above it
single Wheel it turned its stern to the crowd in
scribed -
who'd bought it " and that tie people brok
/ out into pla1 - in eXstacy of delight.
Gradually ;ooring, putting blowing and envelope
, in fuginC mantle, the Prometheus, at the rate c
about four miles per hour, drew her destination
As the boat came within hail. the Captain conspicuous
y posted, his face inamed with passion until it rvae
the glow of his furnace was heard to excaim in voc
of thunder Give it to her Snider \ % art craft
however, could quicken the motion of the deliberate
perverse steamer AS the boat touched til
wharf the indignant Captain eaped ashore and excain
t ing, " Damn Jas, X. Dodge" soon disappeared fror
] sight.
In conclusion the Prometheus never attained
greater speed than four miles an hour and, after rnr
ming short time upon the Cape Fear, sold. 500
after the unlucky craft exploded upon the Pee Dee
G. Thus, as the classic Prometheus punished 70
his theft of fire from heaven, his namesake. TIL
first fastened upon Caucasus, prey to vultures
the last the very subject Of theft became the nstrumen
J of punishment. X.
. NoTE.---When President Munroe his Souther
tour whole day consumed By the Prometheus
ryng him Smithvic. schooner accompanied the
er, to render assistance in case of accident.
*speaker of the British House of Commons, and ubse
quently Peer.