Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-01-18
The First Ocean Steamer.

Not Il day passes but the telegraph mentions
the arrival or departure Of a number ofpalatlal
steamships who course the mad oceans like
things of lie" This, too, although but fifty
years ago the first ocean steamer was launched.
From recent review of this first experiment
in ocean navigation we condcnse the more in
tcrc<ting facts In 1878 Mr. Scarborough.
of Savannah, Ga. conceived the idea that the
ocean could be uavigated by steam. He went
70 New York aud purchased ship Of about
three hundred and fifty tons, then on the
stocks, aud. as deserved compliment to his
State and city, named her the Savannah, and
Determined with her, to try the experiment of
crossing the ocean without sails.
Captains Moses and Stephen Rogers two
brothers, were selected by Hr. Scarborough to
take charge OF the new steamcr-thc one to
supcriutcnd and direct her machinery, the
other to act as sailing master. After having
been furnished with an engine by Stephen
Vail, Of Morristown, conformity with Daniel
Dodd, OF Eizabcthtown, the Savannah was
pronounced ready for the smiles or anger OF
Neptune. The steamer sailed first for Savan-
nah on the 2Gth of March, 1919. The trial
trip was highly successful The vessel then
proceeded to Charleston, and after being
lionzcd there for short time, look James
Monroe, the President of the United States, to
Savannah On the Doth Of May she sailed d-
rect for Liverpool, making the passage in
twenty-five days, eighteen Of which were under
s:eau, some economy Of fuel having been
deemed advisable lest the supply should be cx-
hausted
During the voyage across the Atlantic sever
al amusing incidents occurred. When first
seen off Cape Clear the steamer was thought to
be on fire; and the English Admiral at Cork at
once dispatched a fast cutter, we'll manuel, to
her relief; but great was their wonder at their
total Inability, under all sail, and with good
breeze, to come up with the ship under bare
poles After some amusing delay, and no
small amount of CONSERVATION on the part OF
the English 'middles," the engine Of the
steamer was stopped and the cutter $ officers
invited on board to examine and admire the
new invention. At Liverpool the Savannah
attracted universal attention, and no little ap-
prehcnson 1t was suspected by some that it
was her design to rescue Napoleon Bonapartc,
then prisoner at St. Helena his brother
Jerome having offered for that purpose large
sum- Sine was carefully watched by the Brit
sh Government, and ships Of war were sta
toned at certain points for that purpose
which for Il time prevented her departure from
Liverpool.
The Savannah sailed to Copenhagen and ST.
Petersburg, everywhere received with the most
enthusiastic admiration Her officers were
fairly loaded down with royal presents and
decorations From St. Petersburg the Savan-
nah sailed for Arundel, in Norway, and thence
to Savannah. making the passage in twenty
five days. Thus ended the first voyage ever
made across the Atlantic by steamship, The
chart used by Captain Rogers during his voy-
age and the log book Of the Savannah, were
solicited by the Navy Department about the
year l>4S, aud it is believed they are now in
the safe Keeping Of the Department at Wash
ngton. Having been unfortunate in losing
much Of their property by fire the own.
crs of the Savannah sent her to New York,
where she was sold. Her engine was takon
out. her hulk broken up, and thus gno-
mniously passed away from thought or re-
membrane. The brothers Rogers and Mr.
Scarborough lived until withina comparatively
recent period, each leaving behind an uDbcln-
iohcd uamc and honored memory.
'BoB WHITE Poor Bob White has had
a hard time this winter We do not remember
ever to have sccu As many partri,lgcS and pleas
ants brought into our market IN one season.
The very severe weather that has characterized
this wiutcr has been fatal to the partridge, as
the deep SHOWS have hidden from him the
means Of subsistence No one who has ever
lived on farm and witnessed the gentle bcgg-
iny of bob white and bob o-link' around
the barn and house yard at times, when the
snow prevented thcm from maintaining life in
the fields. could have failed to have felt kindly
and conpass;onateIy for them this winter. We
hope that our >pOrt>men will dcslst from their
further destruction this season. The partridge
is the most innocent bird we have aud at the
same tine the most delicious torthe table His
clear ringing notes in spring and summer are
always suggestive Of affection. Separate the
mates, and they call each other as plalntivcly
as wooing lover. When they meet they
Toud!c and carcss and play around, giving cvi,
deuce ofthe pain of the separation and the
pleasure of meeting. Let U.s. deal gently with
the beautiful bird, at least until they have