The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-08-16

RIO CARRABELLE, Fla, August 10. 1881.
Editor Floridsan AT last we rejoice and are
exceeding glad. The Steamer BENZ L. CURTIS
will run to Apalachicola on Saturday to be en-
tered at the Custom House and on Tuesday the
23rd will make her first trip TO ST. Marks. There
is some carpenter work yet to be done on her
cabin which is being pushed and Commodore
Storrs will have the boat in good shape and
everything snug before be rounds South Cape.
We feel considerable pride in this boat because
il has been built and is owned here. Ii will be
run in the interest of the Island and will connect
rs by steam with the United States Sail boats,
and the first night out at Shell Point, may suit
some folks but / think your readers will rejoice
with me that We can put that cursed luxury
among the things of the past have not forgot
ten trip with mine host Slusser, when five of
US besides the skipper lett st. Marks in a little
dingy for st. Teresa, four years ago. and came
several times very near being food for sharks;
we were twenty four hours reaching the mouth
Of the Ocklockonee. Now, by our steamboat,
six hours will cover the entire distance to this
place.
The boat will leave here at 6 a. m. and reach
St. Marks to connect with the tram at noon; on
the arrival of the train il will leave on the return
trip, reaching Rio Carrabelle in season for sup
per. Arrangements are to be made with Col.
Allen of the ]. p. & NJ R r. so that the boat
will always wait for the Tallahassee train and the
train wait for the boat, which will be great
convenience to the travelling public There will
of course be some rough weather, and sometimes
the boat may be delayed an hour or even more.
To avoid very rough weather of South Cape,
Commodore Storrs intends to take the inside
route through Ocklockonee Bay and Crooked
river, when too rough to venture around the
Cape this will make an interesting feature to the
trips occasionally.
must give you the dimensions of the CURTIS;
30 feet on the keel, IS over all, IA feet beam,
cabin on deck 8 feet by 81, can comfortably seat
twenty-five passengers, and is provided with
water closet An awning forward viii furnish
sitting room for thiriy-ive or forty more. The
boat draws four feet six inches. The engine was
built expressly for the boat at Baldwinsvile N.
Y. 1t is an upright ~ inch engine with balance
piston valve. The screw is four feet in diameter
and makes $50 revolutions per minute with 40
pounds steam The boiler is an upright marine,
feet inches high. four feet in diameter with
1885 tubes, made in Chicago for this boat. On
her trial-trip we ran with speed of ten miles
per hour with 40 pounds of steam, but can carry
$50 pounds If necessary. Some of our enthu-
siastic friends seem willing to bet the boat can
make twelve miles, and the engineer even hints
at sixteen. However, when you get on board we
will let the boat and machinery speaks for itself
Capt. Robinson in charge of the Government
survey Is now here surveying and making esti-
mates for the.mprovement of the river, which
will enable as TO bring vessels drawing 10 feet TO
our wharf and mills Next season we hope to
have the Improvement made. which win mate
rally add to our prosperity.
Another hotel il building, and win be opened
about the LIST of October. II is the property of H.
Parlin q Co. and makes another valuable addi-
ton to our growing town. We are getting ready
for the rush that is sure to follow our facilities
| Cor reaching the Island.
| Building 10 progressing as fast as our limited
| supply Of mechanics win permit but wish to
cay we are much In need Of more frst-rate work
men, 10 fact there Ii even scarcity Of laborers
q the mills, and now that four ships are daily
expected to load with lumber il will necessitate
running the mills on half time to enable them 70
handle the lumber One mill has upwards Of
| one million feet Of sawn lumber ready TO ship
| and there b an enormous pile at Reynolds q
| Cos mill
| We are having most delightful weather, with
the comfort Of the Gulf breeses and ~ aosqxi-
| fcss. or sand flies. II you think you know ofany
more agreeable place for an enjoyable resort 50
/ ts,ere No All nsenna Init don't overlook the fAct