Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-09-16

PROPOSED NEW LINE OF RIVER STEAMERS.
"A meeting of merchants and river captains
was held at the rooms Of the Board of Trade
on last Saturday afternoon, for the purpose OF
discussing the feasibility of establishing line
of light-drauRht steamers to Div between
Washington and points on the Potomac river
and its tributaries. The meeting was called to
ordes, and Mr.. VIM. II. Claggett called to the
chair. Mr.. s. V. Noyes acted as secretary.
Mr.. John R. Elvans stated that he under.
stood that the meeting was called to take into
consideration the organization of Joint stock
company for the purpose OF purcha sing steam
ers 10 ply on the Potomac between points on
along the river might be brought to Washing.
ton instead Of Baltimore.
Capt. Stackpole stated as his opinion that the
project would pay. The trade in produce
II should be brought 70 the Washington mar.
KEEL. Two boats would be required to trans
port the produce of the farmer.
Capt. Miller said he had been Identified with
TINS PROJECT Tor some time. 1t was his opinion
tnat II the company was organized, they might
make ten per cent. on $4,000. The facilities
shoula not exceed that OF an expense of $4,000,
and Increased afterward. Washington city
should not complain that the trade of the
farmers down the river were not brought to
.nls city, for there were no facilities to get 1t
mere; what produce was not taken to Balti-
more was left to rot; boats coming to " ashing-
toh from Baltimore, would not stop at these
me produce Of farmers could not get to
Wa hinRton. The rate could be reduced on
freight coming up the river to less than is now
Charged, for the reason that the expense of
running STEAMER up the river by the stock
company, would be much less than the ex-
peLse OF running one OF the large steamers
now on the rlver.
Capt. b. Frere stated that there would be
more freight along the river than any two
boats could carry, and said vessels Of about
l19 feet in length, drawing about S feet, to en-.
able them TO run up the creeks, were the kind
required. which could be purchased or built
cheaply, and would pay for themselves In less
than one year.
MIR. Boyd, thought the project would no, sue
farmers along the river. He read an estim ate
OF the assignment of stock for the company
which assigned to Washington $4,000, George.
town S2o.0OO, Alexandria $4,000, Norfolk
So. 900, and along the river Sl5,OOO.
Capt. Stackpole stated that If 1t was proposed
10 put line OF steamers on the river as far as
Norfolk, 100000 would not be SUN Gent, as II
would take larger and stronger boats.
Mr. Thorn moved that committee of three
ee appointed to consult with the prominent
business men Of the city and Georgetown aud
report atan adjourned meeting TO be held at
evening when more business men could be
present. -
Mr. Boyd moved to amend the motion by in.
s'ruc'ing the committee 10 report plan OF or
Ganizstloa for the JOINT Stock Company; which
was accepted and the motion carried. '7-'.
Captain Stackpole suggested that the COM
Init'ee be instructed to bring in an estimate OF
the cost. capacity, &c, OF two steamers to be
used on the line. fr ~
The CHAIR appointed as the committee
Me'sTs :. V Boyd. Capt Thomas Stackpoie.
Joseph b. Ellis, William L. Wall and Owen
Thorn.
On motion the meeting adjourned.