The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1900-02-24
R STEAMBOATING.
Al Early DOwn-East slxipper's Inva-
riable Rule in Case OF
Collision.

The steamboat line between Bangor
and Boston is the oldest in point OF
continuous service in America, the
first steamers having been put on in
1924, II years after the first practical
application Of steam to the propulsion
of vessels. Among the early vessels
on the line was the Chancellor Living.
ston, in which Commodore Vanderbilt
had an interest. She was built in
New York In 1915, and WAS considered
the masterpiece OF Fulton. She had
three Emokestacks, three masts, q
bowsqrit and iibboom, and carried a
huge squaresail on rhe foremost, with
fore-Lnd-aft sails on the main. The
Bangor. built II New York, was the
first new boat that ever came to
Maine. She was about 400 tons, well
fitted for her time and did a profitable
business, generally carrying about 1870
passengers on q trip at the rate Of six
dollars each, between Bangor and Bos
ton, She ran en- the Bangor and Bos-
ton route until the fail OF 1s4i, and
In 1912 she was taken to the Medi-
terrsnean. where, for some time, she
was engaged IN carrying pilgrims
from Alexandria on their way to Nee
ca. When she arrived over thele. be-
ing painted white, not a Mussulman
would step foot on her, white being
their mourning color; so she was
painted black, and then business four
ished in the pilgrim trade. The Ban
gor was purchased by the sultan OF
Turkey and added to his navy. Aa-
other steamer named Bangor. a pro-
peller, made a few trips between Ban
gor and Boston, and was then pur.
chased by the United States govern
ment and sent out % take part in the
stack on Vera Graz, where she won
fame. She was The 1rst iron steamer
ever built in America
In 1895 the steamer Katahdin ap-
peared. The Ratahdin was IN many
respects The most remarkable side
wheel steamboat ever produced IN the
United States. She was as good a sea
boat as most of the propeller steam.
ers, fast in her day, and was followed
By the most surprising coed fortune.
Other boats were wrecked IN the
storms that she went through With
out the least trouble, and Others would
strike on rocks along the dangerous
coast Of Maine that the Ka,ahdln al
ways lodged. She never lost either a
passenger or any freight, and, In
short, such was her luck, that down
east people, especially sailor men,
came to regard her as having a
charmed existence. She continued to
u between Boston and Bangor, w4th
the exception Of q few winters on
Long Island sound, until the summer
OF 1895, when she was broken up for
her metal.
Steamboating down east Is a very
different thing now from what It was
In the old days. II is related by old
travellers that. before the war, and
ever later, the bill OF fare on the
boats consisted chiefly OF ham and
eggs There was nothing much to eat,
but a great plenty TO drink. Now
there is a great variety TO eat and o
so much 10 drink.
Capt Charles r. Sanford. who for
many years was the ruling spirit Of
the Boston and Bangor line, was one
OF the most picturesque characters on
this coast He was az one tiue worth
about $4,000, all made In steamboat.
irg' but he lived high and at the time
OF his death, a few years ago. had vers
little property. He was absolute mas
ter OF his boats, and his word wa law
In everything. Some Of his savings
and doings are related to this dAy. al.
dough he retired from steamboatino
10 ls75. Once the steamer Cambridge
ran into q schooner 10 de Penobseot
river and sent ner TO the bottom, cut
ting her Ia EOlyes. Capt. Sanford was
below at the time, at dinner. Fesllpe,
the shock, be rushed up into the pilut
house and asked whst had happened.
We've sunk a schooner, SIR" re.
sronded the quariermaster.
Where Is she?' asked the captain.
well, the forward part OF her "a
over here to starbo4rd. aud ;he after
part Of ber to port" was the reply.
Inc quartermoster expected that
the captain would rake ali hands nyo.
'he Goals but Capt, Sanford seemed
rather pleased than otherwise
That's the wayl" he roared, that's
the way-when you hit EN-. emf lem
right In twol"
Then he went below and finished nj,
dinner as though nothing had han.
pened.--N. Y. Sun,