The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-03-24

The Wilmington Steamboat Co.
A few years ago, the Wilmington
Steamboat Company was organized
by few enterprising men for the pur-
pose OF furnishing the people of this
city and Chester facilities for reaching
philadelphia ut very moderate fare.
The little steamer Wilmington was
purchased anu put OH the route, and
there were some who shook their
heads when they thought OF other
similar ventures, and predicted that
the experiment would certainly end
ls others had, in failure.
But tho man Whose fIRius conceived
the enterprise, and whose capital fur.
niShed the EinewS OF war to carry it
into effect, know of no such word as
tdil, and soon demonstrated to the
public that the line had boon establish
ed as much for the Gccomm odstio of
those whose business or pleasure
caused them TO Visit Philadelphia as
1t was for the purpose OF making
money. The officers of the Whining
on were attentive and obliging to
heir patrons, and this combined
With the fact that everything possible
was done for their comfort and con-
Nenienoe, soon made the line one of
lie most popular methods OF making
The consequence was hat additional
facilities became absolutely necessary,
and the Harlan i lioilingsworth Com
pany were given an order to con-
struct Il staunch, large, iron steamer
to be known as the Brandywine, which
was intended to he placed on the
route with the Wilmington, giving
tour trips between this city and l'hila-
dclphia daily.
lie patronage however continued
TO increase, and year later the mag
nlllcent steamer City of Chester was
ordered from the same company, and
as soon as completed took her place
on the line. Both of these boats, with
heir engines and boilers. were built
under the direct supervision of Can
Trims Bloomsbury and Wilson, two OF
lie most able and experienced steam
loat men in existence. The great OBJ
,ect was to combine speed with safety
md to provide everything possible
that would i'll any way conduce to tho
omfort and convenience of tile pas
sengers. That all these essential points
have been accomplished, will be con
'eded by every one who has ever pa
tronizod tho boats.
lhs iIupIuN ements since then have
been many and varied, and the com
any have Shown their great desire to
please and accommodate the public,
Still, with all the improvements nude,
he company has, ever since it's estab,
ishmenb, felt the need OF suitable
nd convenient v harf and landing
place. This has now been secured hy
he purchase OF Colonel EnochAloore's
,hipyard, ut the foot OF Fourth street,
which. with tie wharf now leased from
tie city, Will give tile colnpuny river
frontage of 2S5 feet
llenhoffer Il Vaughan have been Civ
m tho contract to clear away the
,ieblis Of the old shipyard, and con.
iruct the rev wharf, which will re.
uuire about STE plies. The wharf, " hen
nished, will DO nine feet abose
uw water mark. and tine freight house
.ow on the leased wharf viii be re-
moved to the rev property. A large
nd handsome waiting room will also
e erected and supplied with every
Improvement for the convenience OF
passengers. The entrance will be on
Fourth street and the passengers will
nus avoid all the annoyance of puss-
NJ to or from the boats while freight
Is being handled.
Tho total cost of these improve.
ments will be about s40,O00 but when
hey are completed, the property will
one OF the finest and most valuable
IN the river front.
In addition to tho very excellent
assenger service provided by this
.onpany, 1t also combines the quiek-
st and best facilities for handling
feight. A merchant in this city eau
rider goods III Philadelphia In the
morning, 10y telephone or mail and if
lie shipper Is prompt In filling tho or
er. have them delivered at his store
In the afternoon.
The company have provided two
arge wagons, and all freight is deliv-
red as soon as it reaches this city.
hat this is appreciated by the mer-
5hants and business mon of this CITY,
is shown by the fact that last year
thousands of tons OF freight were car
tiod and promptly delivered.
Captain Horace Wilson is the gener-
ii manager of the company, and his
success in the past in catering to tho
wants OF tho community is asuificient
guarantee of what the company in
tends To do iii the future.
lie two boats are now making daily
trips between this city and rhiladel-
phia, leaving Fourth street wharf at
$50 and IL 30. n, III. and /, and f.15,
pm. Returning, thov leave Chestnut
street wharf, Philadelphia, at $50,
and 1918. a m. and l.3O, and p, m.
Each boat stops both ways ut Market
street wharf, Chester The fare to
Philadelphia and return is only so
cents, and the tickets are good for 80
days. The City OF Chester is command
ed 10y the veteran Captain bloomsbury
and the Brandywine ly Captain Jacobs
10th of whom are experienced pilots
and navlgators.