Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-12-03
THE STEAMER ILLINOIS.
The FaVOrlto VIcksburg and Bends
Packet Undsrgoes Thorough
Repairs.

Repairs.
She Leaves this Evening on Her Initial
Trip for the Season with
Favorable Prospects.
The palatial and popular passenger
steamer Illinois, which, during the sum-
mer, has underwent a thorough overhaul
ing from the pilot-house to the kelson and
made almost new, resumes to-day her
regular trips in the Vicksburg and bends
trade. Captain Darragh, her worthy COM
mander, who is one of the best and most
practical boatmen on the river, superin-
tended her repairs in person, and he
SPARED no pains or expense in making the
Illinois one of the most complete passen-
ger and freight steamers that plies the
lower Mississippi river. He expended
near ten thousand dollars in repairing and
identifying her. To make her a safe car
rier her hull, which was locked recently,
and is one of the finest ever constructed,
was thoroughly inspected and repaired,
every timber the least Bit decayed was
removed and new timbers took their place,
double fastenings were made, and in fact
her hull was made stronger and more
durable than when she first came out,
while her hull was put in splendid order;
new decking and new and stronger guards
were added to her improvements; her
machinery also underwent a thorough
o%verhauling and test and improvements
added, which will make her faster than
she was before. With the improvement
of her machinery she was also furnished
with q new pair of handsome smokestacks
which added much to her appearance, and
as her trade mark, or between her chin
neys by which she can be distinguished, is
a large and beautiful gilded star with a
gold ball in the center, demonstrating that
she is gilt edge and that there can be no
discount on her in her business or running
capacity. Her cabins have been return
ished with costly furniture and carpets Of
the latest pattern; her staterooms are re-
upholstered and furnished with the
finest material to be had. The
colored cabin or bureau, for the accommo-
dalton Of colored passengers, is also fur
nished in elegant style with every ac-
c%ommodation and comfort requisite for a
frst-class hotel. The texas and officers
apartments are also furnished with a view
TO comfort. She has also been furnished
with new wares of the finest material, pur-
chased for her by Mr.. N. NJ. Jones, in
New York City. The cabins, with their
new furniture and adornment of carpets,
presents an inviting appearance. The
nursery also has been refurnished, and is
of great comfort to families travelling, be-
ing supplied with all modern improve
ments, and made ,homelike for the ac-
commodation of children and servants.
Her handsome new dress of paint has also
added to her appearance and improve
ments, and she looks prettier and is now
in better trim than she has ever been.
and is in reality one of the most complete
and best appointed packets that enters
this port. Captain Darragh certainly has
cause to feel proud Of the Illinois, not only
for her beautiful appearance, but the fine
condition he has placed her in. She viii
leave this evening on her initial trip fol
the seasons business. She makes her ad.
vent under favorable auspices, and we are
confident she will reap a golden harvest
She has heretofore been the favorite anC
popular passenger steamer in the bends
She will add new laurels to her already
acquired fame. Captain j. J. Darragh
her commander, is not only a gentleman
of culture and refinement, and courteous
to all with whom he comes in contact, bu.
is in addition a careful and practical boat
man Of thirty years experience. Mr.
Marlin Jones, her chief clerk, is a gentle
man with whom it is a pleasure to trave
and transact business, and by hi
integrity and promptness in business
he has endeared himself to the people il
the bends and made for himself an envia,
Bile reputation. Associated with him il
the Office are Will Darragh and W. B
Jones, two clever and accommodating
clerks. Major General Phin Star, of vel
low fever fame, and a hero Of the frs
water, has charge of the lower decks
Lew Botto, one of the safest and best en-
gineers on the river, has charge of he
engines. Captain VIM. Ashford ant
Captain Turner will have charge of tn
wheel, and Frank Smith, who is one o
the best stewards on the river, will pre-
side e the cabins. Captain DarragI
has selected a staff Of officers who ar
, recognized as gentlemen and good boat
men, and they will undoubtedly aid hin
in keeping the popularity of the Illinois
which has always been recognized as tn
best passenger steamer that has ever en-
! tered the Vicksburg trade since ante
bellum times. Bon voyage to her, an.
may she always come in with a winnin
-, trip.
HIST RECEIVED