The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-08-06
THE NEW 4. 4. LEE.


ing anu puDlfsued In the evening papers
made the simple announcement that
the Lee would arrive at 4p. m. before
that hour every avenue leading to the
upper steamboat landing was crowded
with parties eager to get good posi-
tion to catch q sight OF the new boat.
At the head OF Gravier street two Napo-
leon guns, belonging to the Washington
Artillery, manned by men WHO In days
gone by had served under the great Vir-
gilman, were ready to belch forth vel
his immortal name. From our position
the pilot house Of the Natchez the
river front, both above and below Canal
street as far as the eye could reach,
resembled wall OF human beings.
About 9 o'clock the shrill whistle OF
the numerous harbor tugs, the locomo-
tives Of the Mobile Railroad, commin-
gled with the roar OF the Napoleons,
announced that the champion Of the
Southern Waters" had made her ap-
pearance. Around the shipping, past
the upper portion Of the city, with only
enough steam to give her steerage way,
came the noble craft, and even In the
distance the well known form OF her
.knr II
veteran coinman1eI, capt. >. W. cannon,
roof. Laden rs she Was TO the
guards with over 1900 tons OF Western
| produce, she made landing at the
head Of Gravier street rs easily as could
have been done by row boat. To at
tempt TO give our readers complete
description OF this noble craft would be
useless she must be seen TO be appre-
| ciated, and once seen she will, we know,
be admired. The Lee was built under
the immediate supervision OF her com
mander ana owner, capt. John W Can
non, expressly LOT tne trace petWeen
this city and yicksbnrg, and In her con
structlon neither time nor money mas
been spared. 4t'es
THg HULL
was contracted for by Capt, Cannon last
October, ansi It's builders the Mcssrs
Howarls, oftJeffersonville, fwho have in
their days brrned out some OF the finest
and fastest boats on the Western waters)
put oil their talents at work, being de-
! termined from the start that she should
| In every respect be worthy OF the noble
name she bears; it's dimensions are 3I7
feet long. 40 feet of peam, depth
OF hold 10 feet in the;clear. with q shear
| Of feet the model Ia faultIess. and
| gives promise of great speed her ex-
| IRENE width is 90 feet
1,,r ,.o,,, -
ih1 moIIvE POWER
consists OF TWO high pressure engines
40 inches IN diameter with 10 feet stroke,
working two water wheels 40 feet In
diameter with II feet buckets. Her
boilers are nine Ia number tmade OF the
best materially, with double flues; they
are ~ feet Ia length and ~ inches In
diameter.
THE CABIN.
Want OF space precludes a full descrir-
tion OF this masterpiece OF workman
ship; It must be seen to be appreciated.
The sides are painted pure white. whilst
the lofty ceiling (rising IA feet from the
floor Is elegantly frescoed and gilded;
the latter work having been done by
Mr.. A. Siebrandt, OF this city. The
state rooms, fOrty-four In number, are
elegantly fitted up, and OF extra size
those in the gentlemen cabin being 3
feet by 10, and In the ladies' cabin ~ by
IA feet. The rooms In the ladies cabin
are furnished with rosewood beadsteads,
marble topped bureaus, Understands,
in fact, everything needed In bed |
chamber. The main cabin IS 240 forty |
long, and Is covered by one OF the finest
carpets we ever saw, Its cost In New York !
was $4,000. The barber-shop, wash |
room, closets, Office and bar are ell III |
keeping with the magnlficence OF the
other parts OF The boat: The stateroom
doors are OF rosewood, which sets off
the cabin in handsome style. A large
mirror. one OF the largest we believe
ever placed on steamboat, adornS the |
rear OF the cabin, and life-size por-
trait OF Gen. Lee Is hung In the for
ward part.
THE TEXAS,
or rather it should be termed the upper
cabin, is 1872 feet In length, and Ia fur
nished in style corresponding with the
main salool; the forward portion Of it
will be occupied by the officers, and the
wherein there Is twenty-six
furnished rooms, besides two
bridal chambers, a handsome mirror,
carpet and piano, has been set apart ex-
clusively for cOlored passengers, who
will no doubt appreciate the attention
Capt. Cannon has bestowed upon this
portion OF the boat.
The letters upon the wheelhouses arc
marvels OF beauty, being six feet square
a