The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-05-29
"TnE CANNON GOES OFF,!
A SUCCESSFUL TRIAL TRIP.

A SUCCESSFUL TRIAL TRIP. g.
One of the, most successful trial
trips, of a new. fine, fast steamboat
that has ever taken place upon the
Western waters. occurred yesterday
afternoon. That it was a success so
far as speed is concerned there is not
the shadow of doubt. Had it been
generally known that the magnificent
side-wheel New Orleans and Bayou.
Sara packet John W. Cannon, just
completed by the famous Towards,
was going to be turned loose for the
first time, no doubt scene would
have been witnessed by $4,000 peo
pie yesterday which would have been
exciting indeed. The river was in
good stage and condition for the.
maiden trip of this magnificent
structure and model of beauty,
though q strong head wind prevailed
during her entire trip up stream.
As it was, about two hundred per-
sous, including many ladies, boarded
- - = 49,
her at Jeaersohville, and by half-past
2 O'Clock all was ready, save the
arrival of the "wars horse Of the Mis-.
sissippi"-Captain John W. Cannon
Ito come and "let loose the fiery,
untamed steed," to 5's'as =
"Walk the waters like a thing Of life,
A beauty and joy forever"
Assuming command ofhis beauti.
full namesake, he left the wharf
about 3 o'clock, and away she sped
like an, arrow up the river. Her
powerful machinery moved in grace
fal motion, while her beautifully
modelled hull lifted itself and all up
On it in easy response to the regular
motion Of her powerful wheels, leay-
ling behind onlyEa few ripping waves
dancing upon the bosom ofthe river.
She lifted her proud head as onward
she flew like an arrow past the will
low-coated shores, her tall, graceful
chimneys belching forth great
wreaths of curling smoke, while at
every revolution Of her engines white
clouds of steam were belched from
her escape pipes, and with her flag
kissing the breeze she looked the
monarch Of all she surveyed" and
seemed to say to. the fleet charger
after her, Catch me if you can!''
1t is unnecessary to give an account
of the time she made as far up the
Eriver, as Utica, for / she had been
checked up three or four times. to
cool the wrists Of her shafts, and at
no time did she work her powerful
machinery with anything like a full
force Of steam, but this much we
can. say, and we boast in saying it,
that she: made the fastest time ever
made by any steamboat ever built
upon her trial trip. Again, she
proved herself yesterday to be as
fast, if not faster, than the fastest
boat above, ifnot below, the falls.
She went up the river about eighteen
miles, turned around, and the way
she came down again aud landed at
Jeffersonviile would have made a To-
. connective switch of upon side
track and made room for lightning
to pass She handles like . top.
She moves easily and sits upon the
water gracefully. 1t was supposed
by many that she would bury herself
as she ran, but not so. She fairly
lifts herself and flies. We would be
more minute in detailing her time
revelations, amount of steam carried
land dother items Of more general in.
terest ito theLpublic, but we forbea,
on account of writing a full and
elaborate description of her when
Ishe lie finished. II. when she is
ready to leave for. her sunny, South
ern home, Captain Cannon will turn
her loose from here to Madison
cooked and primed'' for a trial Of
speed, weewill then have the pride
and pleasure of recording the tastes,
time ever made by any steamboat
for no man Who'll a judge of a pow
erful and beautifully -modeled steam
, boat, and who was on board til,
+ Cannon yesterday, will deny tina
she is not a success both in. speet
and magnifcence. The trial tri]
t was a brilliant success. 81 Louisville