Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-08-23
Captain A. walker, sapervlsins Inapestor
for the Ninth Marine District.

for this district Of the Bosrd Of Marine su-
pervising Inspectors, who is here on official
business. Few men now living have been
longer identified with the commerce of the
lakes, and 10 none is the lake interest more
indebted for its present prosperity. He still
walks with firm step, exhibiting much Of
the energy and vigor of youth, though lines
OF silver are traced amid the thin locks
which during half century have been toss.
ed by the breeEes and gales that sweep our
inland seas. He stands as link connecting
the generation of the past with that Of the
present, mingling actively in the labOrs Of
both. In 1911 he cast his fortunes on the
waters of the Western Lakes, being then g
mere boy, and has since passed through all
the various grsdations of nautical experience
on sail and steam vessels.
Beginning as a sailor before the mast, in
three years time-not having yet reached
the age of twenty one-he was promoted to
the command of the schooner William, Of
Buffalo, in which capacity he visited many
| ports on the several lakes.
| LUG nbAk bthbDu NC INC lOEb-
and-aft schooner Red Jacket-named after
tAe Indian Chief of that name-a peculiar
craft, called "periauger," from the fact that
it carried immense leebOards, fan shaped,
and so arranged on the SIDES Of the vessel
that they could be folded up or thrown out at
pleasure, one only being extended at time.
These leeboards enabled the vessel TO pass
through shoal water, and were necessarily
folded up when entering port, at which
time they extended halfway 10 the top Of
the mast, giving the ship q novel and un-
natural appearance. We are thus minute
for the purpose of contrasting the sail craft
of Capt. Walkers youth with those Of the
present day, showing what improvements
be has lived to witness, many of which he
has been instrumental in bringing alb out.
Strictly temperate, industrious and frugal,
the young sailor rapidly rose, and during
the decade between 1920 and 1880, he owned
and commanded number of sail vessels.
In 1880 he became identified with inland
steam navigation, and here the most inter
esting part of his history begins. Steam
boating on the lakes was then in its infancy,
and offered a rich harvest to the man of
genius and enterprise. Rising by degrees
in this new branch of the inland marine,
Capt. Walker at different times built and
commanded some of the best Lake steamers
of that day. In 1888, he designed, modelled
and superintended the construction of the
steamer Great Western, intended expressly
for the Upper Lake trade, and commanded
her during period of ten consecutive years.
When brought out she was the largest steam
craft ahoat on the Great Lakes, and iuagur-
ated 8 new era in Lake travel and Lake com
merce. Her dimensions were Length 1856
feet; beam "a feet inches-6O feet includ-
ing guards hold Is feet. Her freighting
capacity was $50 tons, and the power of her
engine 800 horse. She was the pioneer of
upper cabin steamers in the West, and work
ed al entire revolution in the construction
Of Lake steamboats,.
During the past year the Chicago Histor-
ical Society addressed 8 letter to Capt
Walker, requesting him to furnish the socie-
ty with some.d data for the compilation of a
hietOry OF the Commerce of the Lakes
The response of Capt. Walker is docu-
ment of exceeding interest, and we regret
that our spsce will not permit US to copy it
entire. We, however, aubjoin an extract,
which, beside several other matters that we
doubt not viii prove interesting to our read
ers, alludes briefly to the Great Western
ain 1882, as before stated, but two steam
ers visited Chicago.-the Sheldon Thomson
being the first ever at that port. The Wm.
Penn arrived some eight days later, laden
with troops, stores, etc, belonging to the
| Government. From the year 1892, diffe. ent
steamers made occasional trips to Chicago
| the Daniel Webster, Monroe, Columbus, An
| thony Wayne, Bunker Hill, and others
| The mSstnOted among them was the steam
er Michigan, (the first built and oEnedlby
| Oliver Nevberry, Eeq, late of Detroit, who
\ for many years was associated with and
| largely engaged in the commerce Of lakes
| This boat made one or more annual trips of
| pleasure, generally making the circuit Of
! Lake Michigan. She was fine specimen
| of a steamer, far in advance Of most boats of
her time. Though her model was by no
means comely, her speed was quite equal to
| ObucToy udNABE poHcIlul lOh PRESSURE Dt1ul
engines, and Withal a staunch boat. Her
fine finish, splendid fixtures and furniture,
which were quite superior to any other in
that day, together with her veteran COM
mander-Captain Blake-on board, render
ed her favorile with the travelling public.
"a few years later alarger class of steam
ers commenced regular trips from Buffalo
touching most of the intermediate ports.-
Among the mum Der was the James Madison,
owned by Charles NJ. Reed, Esq, of Erie,
built with particular reference to the upI er
lake trade. Her capacity for freight and
passengers was the largest upon the lake at
that time. She was also favorite with the
public, and withal source of large profit
to her owner. She was first commanded by
Capt. R. G. Bristol; afterwards, and for
many years, by Capt. McFsdden. Still la
ter, in the year 1887, came the steamer Illi-
nois, (the first owned and built by o. New
berry, ESQ. She was also designed for the
Chicago trade. In this boat were combined
many qualities, both in her size, symmetry,
I beauty of model, style of finish, speed, and
sea-worthiness, which placed her in the
foremost rank Of steamboats,, and enabled
her for many years to receive most liberal
, patronage. She was also brought out under
the command Of Capt. Blake.
"From year to year emigration to Illinois
and Wisconsin continued to increase, until
daily line of boats was established between
Buffalo and Chicsgo; while at the same
time the public demands we're such as to re-
quire a stin further advance and different
class and style of boat-with better accom-
madations and increased facilities, suited to
the condition and circumstances Of large
claes of the more refined aud wealthy, who
I were then emigrating and settling through
out yours and the adjoining States. And
hence the necessity of introducing the up
per cabin boat. When the Great Western
D first made her appearance upon the lakes
and during the two years in which she wa
being built, many who claimed to be judges
expressed doubts of the Praeticability and
; worthiness of that class Of boats. But il
q few trips she became a favorite with thu
public, and, notwithstanding the opinion
- ,,-.,,sioas oc tba farv mes tha rna.pt