Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-03-19

The ST. LOUIS AND NASHVILLE PACKET LISE.-ITs
BEGINNING AND PRESENT PosnIoS.-We find the fol-
lowing interesting article in regard to the packet
line between this city and St. Louis, in the ST. Louis
Republican of the l4th
1t may not be generally known to the public that
a large and very important trade is springing up
between st. Louis and Nashville, and other points
on the Cumberland river. Our commercial rela-
tions with Cumberland river have been steadily in
creasng for several years past, and the prospects
are that in less than one year from this date, the
trade will warrant line of daily packets. few
facts and figures in relation TO this subject may not
be uninteresting to our readers more especially TO
merchants ami the business community generally.
In the year ls47 thirteen years ago, the Nashville
and st. Louis Packet Company consisting of Messrs.
B. n. Runyan, Capt. Jas. Miller, and Geo. Stacker
and A. Hamilton, of Tennessee, commenced opera
tions with very small steamboat called the Susqe
hannah which they run between this port and Nash
vile two years, and lost 81 900 each season. The
boat was run regularly, under the conviction that
the enterprise would ultimately prove success
In lS49 the Company started very fast boat
called tho West Newton and at that time the
trade had increased to extent to induce oppOsi-
ton and the steamer Sligo was for two or three
months In opposition TO the West Newton.
In 1852 the steamer Aleons was built and in 1883
was followed BY the Sallie West. which boats piled
az regular packets between 81. Louis and the Cum
berland river for about five years.
In 1858 the steamer b. H. Runyan was brought
out and in 1860 the C. E. Hillmsn was built, both
of which boats are now running, and enjoying well
merited success.
The Runyaa and Hillman now form semi:
weekly line of packets between this city and NASH
ville and there is a sufficient trade to give them
constant business These fine boats connect at Nash
vile with the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad,
for Atlanta, Macon and Augusta. Georgia, and
Charleston, South Carolina; and by this arrange
ment our port is connected with the interior of all
the Cotton States.
The agents oil the Nashville packets are also
agents fer the abave name Railroads, giving through
tickets TO passengers and bills of lading TO ship
pers
Since the commencement of the enterprise the
original number OF stock holders has been increased
nv two Capt J. N CorbItt Commander of the G.
r Hillman and Mr. W. Il. Bell, clerk of the same
boat Capt James Miller. one of the original stock
holders, commands the B. N. Runyan.
The tonnage of the early boats in the trade was
about $50 tons. The present packets are 500 tons
each and cost in the aggregate S95 900.
This is good showing for the enterprise IN It's
uresent successful operation and we may az well
state here that much of the prosperity which the
Nashville line enjoys is due TO the indefatlg-
able energy of our fellow townsman B. NJ. Runyan,
ESQ, who has acted as General Superintendent OF
its business from its start TO the present time.
At the commencement of this trade, and until last
season. almost all the freight carried was pig iron
and bar iron, from the Cumberland river Now,
lust the reverse the fact all the freight Is from
St Louis TO the Cumberland-nOthing coming this
uav.This shows an important change in the trade of
St Louis Instead of importing pig iron largely, we
now furnish almost the whole of the quantity con-
sumed.
We wish the St Louis and Nashville Packet Line,
which has developed so important q trade, long
career of prosperity.