Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-12-26

service as if it had been previously
tested, and reflected credit on their work.
mansbip and knowledge.
The carpenter work of the new boat
was finished under the superintendence
Of Mr.. Jos. Cahoon. and from the appa-
rent strength and durability of the tim
bers put in by him a looker.on would
naturally conclude that be knew bis bust.
ness thoroughly. The beat is also to be
fitted with Atkins patent apron elevator
and track adjuster, and regrets were ex-
pressed by the crowd that this was not
also completed for their examination.
This acts automatically, adjusting in.
stantly the track on the tramways lead.
ing down to the waters edge and the
track on the boat. 1t is a great improve
ment on the old plan of raising or lower
ing the tracks to a level by leverage
power, and in addition to supplanting
man-power by machine-power. is also q
great saver of time expended. The new
boat, by pains-taking care and thought
fitness Of the superintendent, will be
furnished with two large new and i'm
proved patent life.boats which are so
constructed as to properly adjust them
selves instantly when launched into the
water, and will safely hold oil the
people that can crowd into them.
The patentee Of this new inven-
ton guarantees that the boat may
be launched into the water any way, side.
ways or upside down, and that it will
right itself properly on the water and
empty itself Of water that may have got
ten into it when launched in less than
fifteen seconds. The introduction of the
time-saving and labor.saving track ad-
juster as we'll as the patent life-boats is
another evidence of the live, g~oaheadi-
tiveness Of the management of the road,
which is determined to use every ap-
and every patent calculated to
shorten the hours Of travel, as well as
those which insure safety and comfort to
passengers entrusted to their care. Capt.
by the use Of such inventions,
shows that he is a live railroad mau,
equal to the requirements Of his posi-
ton, and as such will merit and receive
the warmest thanks Of those whose lives
or property are entrusted to his care.
The officers OF the boat are as follows:
Wm. Maisgault, captain; Alex Main
gault, pilot; ]. NJ. Prescott, first engi.
neer; Ed Lanham, second engineer; Ed
Shipley, carpenter; John Crane, watch.
man. The officers have been tried and
faithful on the old boat, and are
now transferred to the Pierson by the
officers of che road, who appreciate their
merit. Captain Billy Maingault is an
experienced steamboatman, having been
on the river for over twenty years, and
d~sservedly enjoys the confidence Of his
employers as we'll as the public with
whom his business brings him in contact.
AS commander Of the boat be il I'M
doubtedIy the right man in the right
place.
The pilot, though scarcely beyond boy.
hood days, has shown in times past his
care and thoughtfulness Of the lives en-.
trusted to bis keeping, and exhibited
nerve and courage that scarcely seems
to belong to these days when knighthsod
is no more. With such men to serve the
road the public will always be satisfied.
The boat backed down from her moor
at the depot, foot OF Washington
to a point below the elevator, and
then steamed past the city like a railroad
train, waking the echoes with merry
whistles. A newborn babe comes into
with cries, and it is appropriate that
a newborn boat should cry long and
loud as it tries its element the first time.
rounded Hopefeld Point aud then
returned home.
The boat was named after General
Pierson, of Windsor, Conn, formerly
one Of the trustees of the road, but now
a stakeholder under the new manage
msnt. He should feel pride aud grati6.
cation at the honor which has been con.
on him 10 naming the boat after
him. 1t is rumored that in return for
this honor he Intends presenting Captain
Maingault with a fine set of colors which
will launt in the breezes Of the Father
Of Waters, a credit to the donor and a
pride to the boat which bears his name.
Little Mollie Neylon, about seven
years old, was the only representative Of
the gentler sex on board. Her presence
on this occasion only added another
illustration Of the old adage, that moth
ing can be done without a woman.
We close our hasty report in the hope
that the gallant boat may long swim the
waters, a thing OF life, and fill, as intend.
ed, the highest perfection Of all earthly
things-usefulness.