The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-11-07
Tuesday Morning, Nov. z, 1865.
The steamboat Captain Who was Averse to
Raoing

lr h&o1ng
Early in the Spring of the present year, a
magnificent new steamer was launched upon
She Ohio river and shortly afterwards made
her appearance at the Leyee, opposite the flour
iShing city of Cincinnati. Gilt edged covers
enyeloping the Captains respects, accompa-
MED with invitations TO "see her through. .
upon her first trip down the river, being for
warded to the editorial corps in that vicinity
the ehalked hats were numerous on the occa-
sion. 1t was grand affair, this debut of a
tioating palace, which has since maintained
her repnte untarnished as the crack boat, par
excellence, upon the western waters. Y our
humble servant was among the invited guests,
and nice time he had Of i'll
l found myself on board this beautiful craft
IN "close communion" with score of Inques-
tlonable beauties The company proved to be a
heterogeneous conglomeration OF Character
made up feditors, lawyers, auctioneers, inde-
scribables, and "fancies, with sprinkling Of
none-such's". There was a stray parson,
too, in the croWd,- ,--but as his leisure time,
between meetings was spent in trading horses.
we dispensed with his grace before meals.
we left our moorings an hour before sunset.
upon clear cold afternoon, and passed down
stream considerable distance without experi-
encing any out-ofthe-way occurrence. The
"sons OF temperance" and the parson afore-
said, amused themselves orer smoking whis-
key toddy--the boys were relieving each other
of their superfuous dimes and quarters at
euchre, when tall gentleman, who was
''some," (when he was sober) stepped sudden
ly into the cabin, and impaired the informa-
ton that a well-knoWn fast boat had lust hove
in sight, at the mouth of the Kentucky river.
The cards were dropt instanter,-the punches
disappeared-and the "monrners" were soon
distributed in knots upon the promenade deck
to watch the progress of events.
Or.,. hill la0ok x,nI
ever, and the craft behind gave us evidence
that she should offer no child's play. The "fat
was in the fire" at once,--a huge column of
black smoke curled up in the clear atmosphere,
an extra turn or two was visible upon our own
boat, and away we wentl A good deal of ex-
element existed among the party, as the rival
steamer was clearly gaining upon us. A craft
like ours, with such company and such
captain, must not be beaten.
AS the boat behind us fell in under our stern.
and we could count her passengers, sort Of
impression came over US that we had got up
on the wrong boat At least such was the
expressed opinion of the parson, as he threat
ened to go down stairs and take another drink.
Our captain was noble felloW--he paced the
deck quietly, with a constant eye to the wind
ward; but he said nothing. A beVy of mourn
ers stepped up to him with
"What speed, cap'n?' G(3g
II.
''Smart craft, that behind,o ventured one.
very responded the captain, calmly, as
he placed his hand upon small brass knob at
the back of the pilot house. This movement
was responded to by the faint jingling of a bell
below, followed immediately by rush of Gin
ders from the smoke pipes, and improved ac-
ton OF the paddles.
"Now we move again."
'Some,7 was the response, and q momenta-
oil 40 cac1,o eli 1.,lo
right smartly.
But the craft in our rear moved like shad-
ow on the calm waters, and as we shot down
the river, it seemed as if we had her in tow,
so calmly and uniformly did she follow in our
wake. The excitement of the congreg alton
upon deck had by this time become intense,
and it was pretty plain that the boats must
shortly part company, Or split .'somethingi'-
The rascal behind us took advantage of turn
in a channel, and "hem a starboardw was
clearly heard from the lookout of cur rival as
she hove off and suddenly fell alongside us |
The parson went below at once to put his
threat into execution, as we came up into the
current again, neck and neck; and when he
returned we were running twenty-five knot
lick, the steam smack on to 40 degrees
"She's going goin'-go- "muttered an auc-
tioneer to himself
GA perfect nonsuit," remarked a lawyer.
"Beaten but not vanqliished," !" added a poll
tician; and away we scudded side by side for
half mile. sfmq
@Wouldn't she bear aleetle more ?' meekly
asked the parson. s9. M G =
"She's doing very well, replied the captain.
Don't get excited, gentlemen, my boat is a
new one; her reputation and mine is at stake.
we mustn't rush her-TGcilaq aLacdys jajures
boat, and am ayerse to it saying which he
applied his thumb and finger to thebrass knob
rgain-the bell tinkled in the distance-and
our rival pilot shortly had an opportunity TO
examine the architecture of our rudder postl
/ was acquainted with the engineer
stepped below believing we should be beaten
at our present speed /; and entering the engine
room
',Tim," said I, "we'll be icked-give her
another turn, eh?"
Il rayther, think she moves as it is" said
Tim.
"Yes, but the c. c. = is hard on us-give
her a little my boy-.just for 7a -
'Step in here moment" remarked Tim
''it's all mum, you know, nothing to be said,
p eh? Quiet,-therel don't she tremble some?
l noticed for the first time that our boat did
labor prodigously as
"But come round here moment" remark
ed Tim; "look there-mum,s the word, you
know .-ss s-s =
Istepped out of that engine-room Tim said
afterwards sprang out at bound, but he
lied) in hurry. The solder on the connee-
ton-piPe had melted, and run down over the
seams In a dozen places, from the excessive
heat-a crow bar was placed athwart the sa!E-
ty valve, with fifty six. upon one end-and
we We're shooung down the Ohio under
head ofsteam checked up to 54 4Ol
My sleeping apartment was well aft. on
tered the state-room, got over on the hack side
of my oerth, and, stuh1ng the pillow into NV
ears, endeayored to compose myself in sleen
1t was out ofthe question. In attemptino r.
right myself, discovered that my hair st11cls
out SO straight that it was impossible to Get
nv head within six inches of the pillow!
tossed about till daylight in mementary
expectation of being landed in Kentucky, toi
somewhere els y but we got ON finely. VIZ
led our rival half an hour in Louisville; and ]
Immediately swore upon my night cap that
would never accept another invitation for ;
pleasure trip from steamboat captain whC