, 1864-04-17
A FLOATING PALACE.
Description of 4 New mlsxlss}ppY
Steamer.

Steamer.
Ok BoARp I. G. R. r. PAcKEr L1vs.J
PASSENGER SIEAkKR "MoLlIE AnLE."
April II, 1854, J 50
It has been my good fortune to travcl on
the new md magnificent steamer "Mollle
Able,' on her first trip from Memphis to st.
Louis. learn that Ia the intention Of tie
owuers Of tho steamers .' Mollle Able" "W.
r. Arthur" and "Atlantic,' to establish
line Of boats To run in connection with the
Illinois Central R. R. to Memphis, Vicks-:
burg and New Orleans, thus adding another
link between our large and thriving cities on
the lakes and New Orleans, the great COM
mercial mart Of the South. Since the power
ofSteam has been subservient to man there
has been no portion Of the vast Western
waters where the steamboat has become the
great requisite for trade and travel as on the
Mississippi river between the ports Of Cairo
and New Orleans. Captain Able who is the
protector and principal in this new organiza-
ton, has long been identified with the Mem
phis and St. Louis Packet Line, and built up
large and increasing trade between those
two ports, but now the steady increase OF
trade and travel over the great thoroughfares
Of the North, has Induced Captain Able
to extend his enterprise by building
much large4 and more magnificent
bouts to run In connection with the great
railroad artery of our noble State. The en-
ergy and perseverance shown In the building
md Quitting Of these elegant boats should
give him the well earned title Of Commodorc,
reputation, sure fortune and the warm
thanks Of the travelling public.
The requirements OF tho trade demand large,
strong and fast boats, and the Mollie Able, !"
the subject Of this notice has been built ex-
pressly for tho trnde- She has just made her
hrst trip, and proved IN entire success, com
Packet Line between Cairo ~ an o,,o,no
sEe ie one OF hi. most magnificent Of the
--..'ss meet Of river palaces that now floats on
the Father Of Waters, the pride and adnli
ration other eroWncrs, and credit 10 her builders,
Who can justly point to the steamer ".Nollle
Able" as their chief work Of art, Tie own srs
have the proud qualification Of presenting to
the puUiic one of the finest specimens
of steamboat architecture that has
jet thoatcd on Western waters She combines
strength Of material with graceful model,
maxim 6 her light and feet, while her great
size and capacity enables her to easily carry
burden Of zoo tons. The cabin and upper
works are built in the most modern style,
pleasing to the eye and attractive, with an
elaborate arabeEque finish, neat and durable,
making her remarkably beautiful q she floats
on the waters replctc with animation and life
Hsr magnificent cabins can accommodate 10
passengers with state ROOMS, and 100 more
Gun be furnished with large double cots
while her guards and apacious lower decks
Gun accomu odate IN army of cmigrants mud
their movcables-l,av aving abundance Of room
for freight, stock aud fuel, and also for the
crew 10 perform their duties. In her con-
struction and outfit no expense has been
spared to insure safety with comfort, speed
With capacity, beauty and durability combin-
ed with elegance and substantial build, tho
Loaf costing the round sum Of sl30, 900
TIE cabins are neat yet gorgeous, with
the most superb furniture ind outfit,
Ill in the most sunptuous style and costly
material, bnt conducive to comfort and lux
ury, case and beauty. There arc ninety six
nTge state-roomB, richly furnished With cur
Iains and hangings Of rich lace and aatin bro
catelle, hair mattresses on Hawcs' patent
spring bcrt1s, linen shcetlngs, washstands,
Vardrobes, and all the appliances and com.
forts necessary for the requirements Of pls-
scngers. In addition to the state.rooms,
arc Two e1qnisitcly arranged bridal chambers
most supetbly fitted up with costly and rare
materials, large mirrors, ninrble washstaud5
and bureau, largo mahogany and walnut bed
stcds, heavy drapery and hangtngs, downy
pillows; in fact, everything that the most
fastidious bridal party require or desire. Tho
ladiee cabin Is covered with rich velvet car
pet Of rare beauty, corresponding in fine
cabin carpet IS choise English 'brussels. and
In the outfit Of the min cabin, it ID but little
inicrioHt to the ladies department. The chau-
delieIs and pantry were selected in New
York, by Captain Able, whose taste mud
Judgment is unquestioncd. The most stri-
full length mirror that adorns the ladies' cab
IN. It Is French plate glass, IL feet high and
* feet wide, set In massive franc Of gilt
and rosewood combined. This mirror Is a
splendid design OF the German gothic style,
taken from sketch In the cathedral at Co
OF the Goths. This mirror is Of the richest
design, rare beauty and mayni6cence, resting
on console table With q marble top, the
whole filling up the entire after part Of the
cabin. It was, designed and put up b. J. Y.
E:cott, Of Louisville, Ky; Confronting the
This unique packet is provided with d well
fitted mp nursery, q laundry, room, wash
rooms, aud servants rooms, together with
bath rooms for ladies aud one also for gentle
men, a Indies dressing room, a sitting or
withdrawing room and ladies' club Or lunch
latber shop, pantry and pastry rooms, are
all as complete as could be conceived.
and supplied In profusion with all the varied
'requiremente Of each department. The di-
mensions Of this elegant pncket orc Us fol-
lows: extreme length, Esq feet y feet ex-
machinery Is largc and massive, with power
well applied. The driving engines are two
In number. Cylinders so inches diameter,
with feet stroke. Working water wheel J3
feet diameter, Is feet length of bucket. The
steam is gvnerated in I'VE huge boilers, 48
cach-an improvement which secnrcs eSpe-
dition In rassing steam aud economy In fuel.
In accordance With this progressive age,
steam is applied aud used In all departments,
doing the manual labor By means Of steam
freight holster and steam, capstan. Also,
steam fire engines, and m abundance Of pipe
and hose for hut and coll water, for USE or
case Of fire; In addition to which she Is
abundantly supplied with all other requisites
for safety In case of accident-liEe boats,
bnoys, life preservers, etc. The painting Of the
boatdemands particular attention, asst Is done
terially to the beauty Of her appearance.
Tie cabfn Is painted glossy white Of virgin
purity, without stain or blemish, aud pre-
sents rich and beautiful contrast to the dark
carpet, and the rosewood and mahogany fur
.niture. The painting was done bya st. Louis
house,. Thornburg & Co., famous for their
good work. The boat Is commanded BY Cap.
tain Chas. P. Warner, Wm. H. Rhodes
chief Clerk, and oflcered by ekillful, compe-
tent boatmen, and has Rlready made a very
successful trip, fully realizing the expecta.
tions Of her owners and the publfc. have
been lengthy in my description Of this fine
boat, but have enjoyed many comforts on
board, and received every attention that 9
trader could expect from her agreeable aud
gentlemanlJ ctaccr6, AID Ho!1 1t to be the
duty Of all travellers, whether at hotel or
on n steamboat, that when they find that
everything comes up to MI the requirements
md necessities OF the traveller, they shonld
make note Of 1t for the benefit OF those who
follow; NORTHWEST.
Death OF John C.. I2Tes.
from the Congressional Globe.l
Died, at his residence, near Washington,
On the morning 6f the 10th instant, John c.
Rives, editor Of the Congressional Globe, in
the sixty y-ninth year Of his age.
Mr. Kiyes Was 6e1fmade man, Without
the means to obtain education In schools, he
became well :yerEed in ithe business Of the
world By his aptness for observation and
readiness in applying his faculties. He was
skillInl and successful in the various pursuits
to- '1 which he DEVOTED hls 'abeFaous'y user"
He made no os.entation OF largesses, but
his books show that In a single year he paid
out $1,000 to support the wives OF soldiers
enlisted in the District, besides innumerNb1e
aids in smaller amounts to individuals. He
was a devotee in his rieudships-gratitude
was religion with hIm-and in all the rela.
tfons Of social Lite he INDUCED those around
hin, with the most nfTectfonate Kindness