The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-29

with electrical propulsion for the purpose
OF securing more rapid speed in the trans.
portaton OF merchandise, lumber and
gram; II is interesting to remember saws
the New York Mail ana Express that the
canal was once great passenger route,
which, after destroying the coach service
between Albany and Buffalo, was itself
extlngmshed by the railroads. From 1880
TO 1850 there existed what were called swift
packet-boats, which carried passengers
from the Hudson to the lakes in three DAYS
and two nights.
Ihese packet-boats were some ten feet
longer than those devoted to freight
ana two feet narrower. Their bows were
sharper and the lines more slenderly
drawn. Each of the three or four lines
had distinctive color, being known as
the red, white or blue packets. The
interior of each boat was fitted up as a
caoln on the sleeplng-car principle berths
being formed by extending the velvet
cushioned seats that ran along the sides
and by letting down shelves above.
ample skyllghts in the upper deck gave
ventilation and light to the cabins, while
at night they were brilliantly Illuminated
py handsome swinging Oil lamps. A
long movable table was built up in the
center of the CABIN floor for each meal,
the Kitchen being in the bow, and guests
had TO pass dishes to one another, there
being no room for the walters to pass
through. The cooking was simple but
excellent. The forward part of the cabin
was curtained off at night for women.
On the upper deck the skylights were
nanked by comfortable seats, and there
was an abundance of folding stools. In
1alr weather passengers passed most of
ther time on this deck. paying due and
constant heed to the warning cry OF Low
brloge!" given at frequent intervals by the
steersman. Then it was necessary to sit
down on the deck to avoid a collision
between ones head and the rustic bridge.
The traction power for packet was fur
nlshed by team of three horses in tan
dem fashion, the animals being selected
Tor their ability to keep on the trot for two
hours. The changes of teams were made
with surprising celebrity and precision, the
speed OF the packet not being checked for
an instant. Stoppages were only made
for the landing or embarkatIon of passen-
gers. Whenever freightboat was met
or passed 1t was rule of 1.-The road" that
frelghters must steer away from the tow
path, and, by checking Roadway, drop
their tow lines in the water for the packets
to pass over. This enabled the packets to
maintain their rapid speed and SO save
time.
These packets were largely patronized
by commercial travellers, as drummers
were then known, while the remainder
belonged to the better classes who could
afford the expense. The cost of q passage
from Albany to Buffalo was $12 or SIS,
which included meals for the three days.
One of the delights of the trip was the
frequent opportunity for taking a walk.
Sometimes 1t was a chain of locks, such as
those at Lockport, or the canal ran in
long loop 10 avoid a valley or go round a
hril rlrr
Inform his passengers, and most OF them
would jump ashore at the designated point
and start off for a ramble under the
guidance OF the purser. He usually led
his charges into pleasant lane and paths
through the meadows for a mile or two,
and when the party again arrived on the
banks of the canal there were ALWAYS q
grocery and modest tavern at that point.
The purser would then replenish his
larder at the first and the passengers could
sit on the benches under the willows and
refresh the inner man to their hearts con-
tent. Captains and pursers received COM
missions from these taverns for steering"
passengers to their doors. In about an
hour the packet would come in sight, the
speed slackened, and sail aboard" rang
over the fertile fields. Then the tow rope
grew taut and the boat rushed on.
The great sport of Such 3 trip was the
presence of a. passenger ignorant of the
low-bridge danger. 1t was a remarkable
fact that whenever the packet approached
such bridge these tourists" would
almost invariably rise from their chairs
and stand. Low bridge" shouts the
helmsman; but the words fail on unheed-
ing ears, and then the bridge rushes on its
victim, who goes sprawling to the deck
amidst shouts of ironical laughter from
his fellow voyageurs. The packet-men
were, however, too gallant to allow a
tn raS IN OIL
ence, and many female passenger had
found herself suddenly seized by watch
full deckhand, who, unceremoniously
seated her in time to avoid a crack on the
head. When the startled and indignant
fair one resented this apparent rudeness
the man would merely point to the reced-
ing bridge and go on attending to his
duties.
A packet boat could carry eighty passen-
gers very comfortably. and as the arrivals
usually equaled the departures the boats
were always full. Many an hour was
whiled away listening to the vocal efforts
of musical passengers, or the Ministries,
who would come on board and "do stage"
in hopes of making few dimes, in which
they were successful. Smoking, reading
and games of checkers, chess or cards
added to the amusements, but no gam
bling beyond penny ante or penny points
at whist or cribbage was permitted.
But WDSO the CeHlFdl ISdllIOdu cuIcIcu
the field and ran express trains on rates
near those charged by the packets their
patronage gradually fell off, and the boats
finally disappeared in 1856, just as the
mail coaches had gone before them. Those
who can remember this method of travel
look back fondly to the days when they
sailed through green meadows aud fields
OF waving corn or wheat past big forests.
rivers and lakes. cities, towns and villages,
with no dust to annoy one and no iolts to
shake your body. When electricity is
placed on the Erie canal such boats mi ght
be made profitable, for they could attain
commodation line for short distances it
would be boon, while for leisurely tour
lists the route would afford an opportunity
for seeing the country not attalnaoie on
an express train.
MACHINERY OF NEW WARsHfPS.
ComnIicated and Has to Be Handled
Carefully.