Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-01-04
NORTHERN LINE PACKET co.


The st. Louis Republican of late date,
IN its annual river and steam boat article
alludes to the Northern Line Packet Co..
as follows: As this is one of the oldest
steamboat company at this port, brief
sketch of the company may not be unin-
terestIng. The business by river with
the upper Mississippi had been accommo-
dated by various boats owned by different
parties for long time, but in 1853, the
owners of three boats held q meeting and
resolved to form joint stock company,
and accordingly went into operations un-
der the general laws for forming corpora
tions of the State of Illinois. D. Hunk
ins. Thomas Gordan and j. w. Parker, of
Galena, Ills, Jno B. Rhodes, of Savanna,
Illinois, r. @. Gray of Pittsburg, Penn,
and James Ward and Thomas II. Griffith,
of st. Louis, Mo, being the incorporators,
and by the articles of association direc-
tors. Capt. James Ward was elected
president, and Thos H. Griffith secretary
and treasurer
Their boats then were the Sucker State,
Hawkeye State, Canada, Pemblna, Metro
politsn, Northerner, w. l.. Ewing. Den
mark, Henry Clay, Minnesota Belle and
Fred LorenZ.
Since which time the company has
been in successful operation, bringing
down large amounts of produce, and car
rying up large amounts Of merchandise
and manufactured goods also carrying q
great many passengers, especially in the
summer season, with seekers after health
and pleasure, visiting the beautiful seem
cry of the upper Mississippi river and
breathing the invigorsting atmosphere of
that high and healthful latitude. The
company have built, since their incorpor
alton, the steamers Hawkeye State, Sucker
State, Davenport, Henderson, Savannah,
Muscatine, Burlington, Minnesota, Dubu
que, Minneapolis, Dan Hine, Red Wing
and Lake Superior, and a great many bar
ges, and have also bought several steam
boats for passengers and towing purposes
A considerable amount of the grain busl-
ness Is done on bargesa and large amount
of is now carried in bulk. Nearly all
that goes by rail and the lakes is carried
in that way.
The boats running the past season were
all irst-class and fine accommodations for
passengers, sc They were the Lake Su-
perior Red Wing, Minneapolis, Dubuque,
Minnesota, Muscatine Tom Jasper, North
western, A Mitchell, Phil Sheridan and
Belle of La Crosse. Other boats were
used at various times in aid of the above
or to fill a temporary vacancy for re-
pairs, &c.
The Northern Line, in the IA years run
ming have lost but three boats, the Den.
mark sunk at Atlas Island, by striking q
log the Northerner while lying up at
the st. Louis levee, was burned, the fire
being communicated from another boat
the Burlington, at Wabasha, was sunk by
striking crib put IN by the ferrymau to
work the ferry boat in winter, and not
removed
The business to and from St. Louis,
transacted by this line of steamers, forms
very important part of the river com
merce, and assists the prosperity of the
city to a considerable extent.
When the present Improvements, that
have been in progress on the upper
rapids, are completed, and the canal al
the lower rapids is finished, st. Louis will
have an uninterrupted communication
with st. Paul at all seasons of the year
except in case of ice, without breaking
bulk, and not subject to the delays ant
great expense Of tightening at the rapids
The communication will then be more
certain and made in much less time
The business of the Northern Line fol
the mast war WAS as fnllows