The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-06-28

The time made by the J. NJ White Tor twenty.six
years had remained unsurpassed by any steamboat
The following are the memoranda of the Nat
chez:-"Lelt New Orleans 80 minutes past 8 O'Clock
market; had on board 50 cabin and As deck passen-
gers and some freight; made the run to Natchez in
her tx hours run; landed at Services above
Natchez; landed at Rodney; made landing
at Grand Gulf; yicksburg, % hours 81 minutes;
Left vicksburg and made landing OF Talluah, landed
at Lake Providence landed 9k Greenyle, made land:
VIZ C. Svsr eoa %sae 80 10ass S PUMA SSS
chute and had to haal back; landed at Memphis,
lost thirty minutes; landed ct Henderson's Point
Cairo, lost one hour and five minutes; struck bot
tom ct Liberty bar, landed at Grand Tower"
day the steamer Natchez made the old time marks
Of the ]. M. White, opposite the ArseDa grounds.
Intense interest was felt by all the passengers 1t
up On sst tine and large amssf or Of c ua
representing all classes, merchants steamb0atmen,
mechanics, professional men, some even OF the cleri
cal gentlemen OF the city, had collected on the
wharf and watched with earnest intent the rapid
progress Of the boat as she poughed her way against
the swift current. BY this time the passengers
on BOARD, OF whom there were more than hundred,
were brought up TO the highest pitch of enthusiasm
UNCONSCIOUS OF all else around them, they had gatS
cred out on the guards and forecaste, gazing with
intense eagerness towards the nearing wharf II the
passengers were thus affected what must have been
the emotions or that brave old river captain who
stood upon the roof Of his fine steamer, as the
index hand The dial OF his watch pointed towards
the hour which for twenty.six years had been the
standard, inaccessible 10 all succeeding naylgaors
OF the river, as the fastest time on record On the
way from CailO at Liberty bar, she touched bottom.
Her speed was checked. Thus far she had made an
uneXampled run. Must she now be stayed and
stick fast IN the sand ana the coveted triumph
be changed into an lgnominious failure
There was q clear head and steady hand
Wheels rolled bcs her bow was veer res
little to the larboard, and onward, with increased
speed, she dashed through the foamtng river. All
was yet safe. Two hours yet remained in which 10
make her time and claim the pam OF victory. The
walls OF the tall Buildings or South st. Louis ap-
peared In the distance. The captain gazed with IN
tense earnestness as the buildings became more and
more distinct. The spires and towers and lofty
walls grew nearer and nearer. Carondeht was
made only three days. twenty-one hours ana thirty
SIX minutes out from New Orleans. Every one of
the officers Of the boat was at his post, COOL calm
a few miles remained The identical spot where the
White sgnalled her arrival, little more than TWEEN
ty.sx years before, lay still ABOVE. But there
the distance. And now came the moment for
enotion-lhe moment IN which the magnl-
point reached by the j. II. whlte,n .There is the
end Of her voyage" ana all eyes were turned toward
the well known landmark with an eager earnest in
tensity that ned the tongue still. and word or ex.
nltant cheer escaped from the lips Of those earnest
lockers toward the shore. the goal OF one of the
most noted Of steamboat triumphs In speed. The
victory was won; the quickest voyage from New Or
u
few more minutes and tile steamer was still, re.
posing quietly on the bosom OF the river at her
wharf, The spell was broken. The pent up feel
ngs the anxiety the tension OF the deeply absorbed
minds OF the oricers gave way. A vast company
of our citizens rushed on board. Captain Leathers
received them calmly, though 1t was evident
that in that moment OF triumph he felt and realized
the significance Of his achievement. He knew that
he had accomplished what might not be accom-.
pisiied In a generaton-might never be accom-
pshed again. He knew that in after years men
would turn over the pages on which are written the
n IN nj ho Ma
and he realized, too that when ne should be mum.
bered with the silent seepers, his name would still be
sometimes recalled In connection with the grandest
feat thus lar recorded In the annals Of steamboat
navigation on the Mississippi.
We know not how we can better conclude our |
notice OF this memorable voyage OF the Natchez than
IN the expressive language OF the brave old captain
as he stood trlumphantly, proudly on the deck OF |
the NatcheZ, feeling and realizing the significance
OF the feat-'Ah, gentlemea' said he every many |
of US old steamboatmen, and many yonng ones, TOO,
Will be IN our graves and have mouldered to inds-
tngul6hable Dust before the lime is made again,u