Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-10-26
ALEXAGAzETTE & VIRGINIA ADVERTISED
THE NEW POTOMAC STEAMER.

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The following account of the experimental
trip of the new Potomac river steamer is taken
from the Washington Tribune:
The spleudid iron steamer, John W. Thomp-
SOD, the latest accession 10 the waters of the
Potomac, made her first trip down the river
on Saturday, returolng yesterday afternoon.
The owners of the boat, the loland aud Sea-
board Coasting Company, have pushed her for
ward 10 completion, to enable them to place
her on the line from Washington to Coan river
this tall, and deciding to make SD experimen.
tai trip prior to placing her regularly on the
line; Invited q few guests Including several
members of the press, to accompany them,
partake OF their hosptalities, and share with
them the pleasures of the voyage--a trip ac-
knowledged by all on board to be the most
auspIclous of any in the history of steam
boatiGg.
The Thompson left her wharf at S.14 a. m.,
carrying on the enrire trip from twenty FIVE
to thlrty-three pounds of steam only; the ma
chinery being new aud consequently working
somewhat srlfhy, it was deemed best not to
put her to her full speed, but she made new
er'heless, very fair record, showing speed
OF some fourteen or 6fteen miles per hour,
with capacity, when 10 full working order,
OF at least eighteen, When she will, 40 doubt,
De pronounced one of the fastest 90 our river,
and prove thereby 6napcia success by the
expedition with which she can transfer the
products OF the river and bay to our wharves.
AT every landing, both down and up, she was
delayed from five minutes to an hour, taking on
freight and giving ample time for all asse mbed
at the different wharves TO Inspect the vessel,
aud partake OF the hospitalities of Capt. Wood.
Nevertheless, she made the following fair time
down; Arrived at Alexandria at S:35; Glymont
~, Quaotico l0:44, Sandy Point ll;Ol; Liver
pool Point ll:l3, Smiths Point 1871; The Cot
tage l20l Stuart's Wharf 1888, rolson's
Whar! 1852, Matthias Point LEO, Cedar Point
2US; Mattox Greek 3:l5, Curriouan bay $40.
The actual speed OF the steamer aud the
time Of her arrival at her last point OF desti-
nation 90 her regular trip could not be asccr-
tanned on Saturday, in consequence of the
obsing delays at the landings by the Captain,
bu, all on board were pronounced 10 their as
sertlons that she could make the trip each run
nlDg day by p. N. As an instance of the
ability of the boat to make this time We meD-
tlon the fact that although the Pilot Boy
started at a. m 90 Saturday, the Thompson
passed her al 1924. She took 90 board at the
different landings quite large number of
passengers; while among her immense quan.
tlty OF freight We noticed ten head of live
stock, the various products of the soil, and
fish and game, the latter being particularly
abundant down the Potomac at this season of
the year.
Captain John r. Wood, the most obligiug,
genial and attentive of captains on the river,
and wlthal, the most careful, ably assisted by
his first and second officer; Harry Bacon, the
purser, and DR.. Mckinney, the famous mate
OF the Potomac, and the oldest one, too, were
undivided 10 their attentions to the guests on
board, among whom we noticed Captaid Ged.
ney, OF the Washington and Alexandria Steam
boat Company, with his ever-sming face, ever
prompt to his meals, and ever searching for
'snacks' between them, though it was unan-
imously decided on board yesterday that be
rather overdid the thing when be sbucked and
ate barrel of oysters to give him an appetite
tor the three dinners be ate; General Peter
bacoo with his constant flow of genial humor,
so richly favored, that all really wished they
could stay by it all the time;" MIR. George
Sheckels, signing at Captain Gedney corpu-
lence, but avenging himself by winning foot
race at Dill's wharf, the Captain pleading that
he only lost by being over-fatigued 10 assisting
to capture the wild bulls that escaped from the
corral at that point; Mr.. George Folansbee,
who, after his business.like scrutiny of the
miputest parts of the vessel, was content to
lie calmly down at night and spore aloud his
satisfaction-so loud that be started the en-
CINE, and MIR. Reed, looking business out of
both eyes.
% the arrival of the John w. Thompson
yesterday afternoon at her wharf 10 Washing
ton she was greeted by an immense concourse
OF people, who were invited on board to in-
spect the vessel, aid which invitation was
gladly accepted. The returning guests from
the two days pleasure then parted company
unanimous in the opinion that Captain Wood,
with his famous steamboat dinners," and
breakfasts, too, showed the same marked abil.
lty to keep hotel as be did to run boat,
while Dr. Mckinney was IS equally marked in
his line of keeping the wet end of the
concern.
HELP Your NEIaHBoRs. AT a time like
this when the great problem of how to live is
uppermost in the thoughts of our artlzans and
workingmen there is no room for the purse
proud or the atribous to complain. Help
your neighbor, try and assuage the troubles Of
Your fellow man, should be the motto to gov
ern every breast. Iu trade when matters be-
come dull and not much prospect of further
progress, judcious merchants and dealers ask
themselves who can be spared; and the men
they are most 10th to discharge are those who
nave Deen longest 10 their employ, and who
have devoted their energies to the interest Of
their employers, Gentlemen, you have sue
ceeded in the battle of life or perhaps you are
placed IN circumstances beyond iudgence or
want Ii go, be easy with your old friends 10
distress. Help yonr neighbor if you can. and
90 not crush the manhood out of him by any
prosecutions of yours
MAGNOLIA SEED.-Mr. Robert Mott. of
Louisiana, has introduced at his summer re-
treat, near Warrenton, the magnolia, and left
with US for distribution few seed which our
readers can have for the asking. The seed
should be planted in a rich soil and where the
young trees will be protected from the colder
"'nds' 1t little care be taken With the scion
.ra ,ne fragrance of thu tulip white bloom of the
mee VIII 10 few yesld more than compensate
owners for the tronhx. ond exnense thau have