The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-05-16
THE STEAMBOAT ROCK
ISLAND.
AN ELEGANT BOAT.
PRESENTATION OF COLORS.
SPEECHES OF TIE MAYOR AND
THE RECIPIENTS PROXY.


For weeks and months anticipation has
been on the rack to catch sight of the smoke
stacks of the coming boat, to see what Id
ner OF craft she was, and whether she
flected credit on our beautiful CITY ossr
H., ,;,.r svsr, has been looked forward
10 by our residents with so much ANXIOUS
longing as has this. Preparations have been
~ sde for the flag presentation, the city has
voted q sum sufficient to purchase an ele.
CANT snite of colors from Gilbert, Il u bbard &
Co., Ship Chambers, Chicago, one of the
heaviest firms in the west and one which
has attained widely extended reputation in
bunting flags, standards, ETC.. and now was
the time approaching for this gala occasion.
The Rock Island came up as
far as keokuk night before /
last. At last her melodious whistle echoed |
from bluff to bluff, and her graceful smoke
stacks hove in sight. She was visited during
the day by a large number of citizens, and
her various points" extensively canvassed.
Though q large boat for the short tr l., she
draws msrvelously shor, depth Of water,
and is built for speed as well as safety. Ev
srything about her is new and of the most
| approved pattern. She was built under the
direction of Capt. Campbell, who was given
carte blanche to make as elegantly an sp-
pointed packet as runs on the Upper Missis
sippi. As he was to be captain of her
he naturally took great pride in
getting her up artisticslly inside
and out. The saloon is q model of good
taste. There is an absence of the cheap
gingerbread ornament OF most steamboats,.
though there is just enough carving and
gliding TO make it ornamental. The Office
is neat little affair, ornamented with
stained glass windows, and the whole saloon
is painted snowy white with porcelain finish,
except the doors OF the state-rooms, which
are steined and grained in imits;ion Of ma
hogsny. The smoke stacks are ornsmented
at the tops with foliate border, which give 81
appearance Of elegance to the whole affair.
4; The boat is one we may well feel
proud of, and 10 Capt. CampbelFs good
taste and practical knowledge of what a
boat ought to be, is as much due as to the
mupi6cens hberslity of the Northern Line
Packet Company
The Rock Island took on cons siderable
freight on both sides of the river, and was
comment on the streets Of both cities. At
noon the hurricane or wheel deck was
S cleared for sction, and preparations made
, for the presentation in form.
; The time for the presentation was fixed
for three O'Clock, but owing to some delay
D was deferred half hour later By three
| O'Clock the citizens aud citizens of the
, cities Of Rock Island and Davenport began
to assemble on the boat and crowded he
quarter deck. Owing to the warmth of the
weather there were not so many on hand as
might have been expected. Mayor Skinner
aud the members OF the City Council at halt
past three were iutrod uced officially as
, such 70 Capt Campbell. Hand shaking
: followed, and the Council. accom- panied by
citizens. repaired to the roof, and the cere
2 monies were duly begun. Mayor Porte,
0 Skinner presented the colors in the following
= short and appropriate address:
/ SIR:-When it became known that thi:
boat was to be called the City OF Rock Is
laud, :" the city council, ia accordance viii
general custom among all towns on suct
occasions, PASSED resolution giving youl
5 vessel free wharfage tor year, aud sso or
L dered that q flag be presented to you-aud
IL 1t becomes my duty rs mayor of the city, &c
carry GU, that order, and IT is very pleas
al, task for NE to be able to offer you TIM
Il slight token of our esteem In return for th,
d high compliment that bas been paid us. al
d though we scarcely need such 90 advertise
ment, yet it will add one more to the list o
heraids that are giving our city reputst ion
And now Sir, in behalf of the city of Rock
:, Island, ! present you with this stand of col
2 ors, and | assure you Sir that our best wish
es 20 with them, and not only with these ID
, blems of q race of freeman, but with the
officers and crew, and also with the magnif-
= Icent vessel which 1t Is your pleasant duty
' to command. May she travel on this river
for long years 10 come. handled by the same
men and with the same banner floating vel
her that | now present to you. May peace
and prosperity go hand IN hand with YOU
# may you be free from mishsps, ana may
Y large pecunisrv profit attend the steamer
;, City uf Rock Island" wherever she may GO
= At the conclusion ofthe speech, the spen
did white bunting pennsnt bound with rec
q and bearing the words 'City of Rock Island ;
. was drawn quickly to the top of the iacl
staff at signal from the steamboat bell
-, and was greeted by three cheers. Capt
= Campbell then responded as follows:
o To Hon. Mayor and City Council
+. Owing to nv feeble condition feel unpre
pared to respond to you OF TINS occasio.
but as it is duty incumbant upon som,
| one closely connected with our line, vii
IS not shirk from the responsibility. If
" possessed the eloguence of Keokuk Or Pat
;, rick Henry, it would give me pleasure tt
- entertain you for a length of time, but as
e do not, you will pardon me for its brevty
d Your generous donation of coors tina. il
d now for the first time unfurled TO the breeze
we will highly prize and evercherist
with grateful recollection and nov gentle
Il men IN behalf of the Northern Line anC
J. Reokuk Packet Co.'S, allow me to express
n their thanks for your generous donation
n Then followed three cheers for the North
err Liue hChet w., three ior the Do6L ant
Q three for Capt. Campbell. The whole con
= cluded with splendid free COLLATION. to tn.
Q citizens, served in the cabin, where the Off
e GERS of the boat, mem ers of the City Coun
C ell, city officers, citizens and representative,
of the press did ample justice to a splendid
J. repast After all the delicacies of the sea
e son had been disposed of, wine was
2 served with appropriate toasts aud
responses. They were all appropriate
"a c-aa..d oppi.nsa TIL.