Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1878-05-29
Steamer st. Paul.

Ine application OF steam 10 lana
and water transportation is a step
in the progress of mankind which
separates the civilization of the
modern from the ancient world
more distinctly and definitely than
perhaps any other single difference
in their methods of industry or
government. 1t has secured the
circulation of the products OF in
dustry, and of man himself, and
rendered possible the intenser ac-
ton of the political, the social, the
industrial, and the forces which go
together to make the life of ma
tions.
In the year 1888, one Mr.. Fitch
built second boat for the machin-
cry he had used in his first, which
was an engine with twelve inch
cylinder, and made with il several
passages between Philadelphia and
Burlington, at the rate of about
four miles an hour; this boat was
driven by paddles, six on side.
Another boat, for an engine with
eighteen inch cylinder, was made
ready for trial in August, 1889.
Great changes in the machinery
which we're found necessary, occn-
pied the time until the spring Of
1890, when the boat was run regu-
larry to carry passengers between
Philadelphia and Burlington. This
was the first American steamboat
which regularly carried passengers.
The first steam boat to cross the
Atlantic was the Savannah, q ves-
sci built in New York, with side
wheels and sails. Since then won
derful changes have been wrought
in the models, the construction, and
propulsion of steamers which
would require a full volume to de-
scribe, of no inconsiderable mag
nitude.
Among the fastest and best man.
aged steam boats which ply the
lakes north and south, is the st.
Paul. She leaves the city Of De-
troit on Saturday of each week at
10 o'clock p. M. and Tuesday OF
each week at MackiDaw and Che
boygan, and touches at all impor-
tant points north and south. She
was hnilt at Marine City, at cost
of $4,000, and her tonnage is
1000 tons; her length is 225 feet
her breadth, thirty feet. She has
numerous state rooms, and capa-
hle of accommodating comfortably
one hundred passengers. She has
a string band of musicians con-
stautly on board 10 euliven the ex-
ercises, and a full choir OF uniform
ed walters In attendance at the Ia
bles. The officers are all also In
full uniform and present gentle
manly appearance. This boat has
been most thoroughly renovated,
refurnished, and presents n neat
and chaste appearance. The floors
have been newly carpeted, and the
parlors refurnished. The Captain,
L. R. Boynton, has had an exper-
fence in water navigation Of thirty
successive years, and was chosen
captain of the st. Paul at the open
ing of this season. He Is a gen.
tlemen of fine nautical experience,
and one in whom the officers and
i people have the utmost confidence
He is ever ready to impart all In
formation and answer sill Inquiries
and those who have travelled with
him once, and desire to make the
second trip. cay Il am going to
wait until the St. Paul goes" The
life preserving appliances on this
steamer. are cork and metallic life
, boats. together with wooden oosts
with metallic air chambers life RATS
; and wooden floats The express
! messenger, Mr.. h. Brody, is gen.
tlsusnly end cocst0us fellow enc