New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-03-15
BETWEEN CAIRO AND COLCMBUS.
A New Railroad Steamer-Trial Trip of
the Illinois.

the Illinois.
Tie Illinois Central railroad and its in
tercs.s are so closely interviewer with New
Orleans that we copy the following from
the Cincinnati Chroniclc of Friday last:
The trial trip OF the new transfer steamer
illinois,. constructed by s. b. Hamhleton
4 Co.. of this city, for the Illinois Central
Railroad Company. was made yesterday
afternoon. Shortly after TWO o'clock the
boat left her moorings and began the run
np the river. In remarkably short time the
new powerful machinery commenced run
ming with astonishing facility. and. before
fifteen minutes from the time of leaving the
landing at the loot of Broadway had
elapsed. eighteen revolutions 70 the minute.
with one hundred and thirty pounds of
steam. had been attained. This propelled
the boat at the rate Of eleven or twelve
miles an hOur-a speed unusual in trial
trip. When the machinery works into
regular running order. tour revolutions
more per minute will toe made, giving the
boat a maximum speed OF fourteen miles
an hour. The ascertaining Of tins certainty
was especially gratifying 10 Captain Ham
blcton, he having contracted to furnish Il
boat which would make the twenty-five
miles gap in the connection between the
Illinois Central railroad. at Cairo. and the
VI
Kentucky. i'll an average ~ two hours. 1t
is rare tlat trial trip Is 50 eminently sat
i>tactorv in all respect as was that OF the
Illinois Yesterday. and. as the boat was
noored at the dock. Captain Hambleton
delivered her over to the representatives OF
the Central company with the consciousness
OF Il man who had faithfully and creditably
1uiiilled his portion OF the contract.
The boat is credit TO Cincinnatiskill and
l., Ill. i
better appointed boat does not ply on the
Western rivers.
The Dimensions of the boat are: Length of
hull. two hundred and twenty feet: hrea 18th
of beam. thirty-iive feet: depth OF hold. six
feet from main to boiler deck the distance
is twelve feet eight inches. and from boiler
deck to hurricane roof eight feet. The texas
is now sixty feet long, and contains twelve
rooms for the officers and crew. but will
have to be extended so rs to comprise
eighteen rooms. The pilothouse is twelve
feet square. and the chimneys are titty-two
feet eight inches above the roof.
Cincinnati skill also turned ont the
splendid machinery OF the boat. and this
has been put i'll place under the personal
directio of the engineer OF the boat. Mr..
McGee She has five boilers tone more than
il generally possessed by boats OF this class,
tlirty-seven inches in diameter. each con-
tanning two thirtecn-inch tlues. The cyiin-
der OF the engine is twenty-five INCHES i'll
diameter. and has seven feet stroke. She is
also provided with seven-inch receiving
valves and eight-inch exhaust valves. The
wheels diameter is twenty five feet: length
OF buckets, thirteen feet: has seventeen
aims in a tianse. There is also an extra
connection of hose on the boiler deck. which
will he attached at all times.
The general appointments of the boat
have been made with the paramount idea
OF providing every facility that can con-
tribute to the comfort and convenience of
the traveller. The cabin is carpeted with
fine Brussels. and is furnished with centre
table mirror. sociables. sofas, easy chairs.
and will be Illuminated by seven elegant
chandeliers. Into the ladies' cabin, six
large. double staterooms open. each pro-
vided with two doors. The staterooms are
furnished with cottage furniture, and are
carpeted with fine Brussels.
The provisions for dining facilities CORE
spond with the other OF the boats equip
ments. and have been procured under the
direct supervision of the companvs steward,
sent hither from Cairo for that purpose.
This department is under the companys
sole control. they preterrlng to guarantee
satisfaction to travellers rather than hazard
the contract in the hands OF Spectators.
The boat, having now passed into the
hands of her owners, Will be taken inme-
diately to Cairo and put upon regular route
between that city and Columbus. She is
expected to commence her regular trips
about the middle of next week. The Off
GERS of the boat are: W. A. Lowtb. cap
tain: D. G. Pierson, first mate: James Hig-
Ian. second mate; j. II. Jones. clerk: JOHN
Crowley, second clerk; Charles Gustav,
third clerk; Il. 5. McGee, eng ineer: AleXan-
der McGee, second engineer; j w. Mchin
new. pilot James Clark. carpenter Frank
A Morris. steward.