The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-11-15
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There were several facts that con-
sptred to make the recent maiden trip
OF the new steamboat Hendrick Hud-
son memorable in the annals of steam
boat history on the famous Hudson
river. Apart from the fact that she
Is the largest and swiftest of long
line OF famous boats. her maiden trip
was completed on the ninetyninth an
niversary of the ever-memorable
journey of Robert Fulton's Clermont
from New York city to Albany and
back. 1t was on Aug. 17.lS07. that
Robert Fulton's epoch making trip
began. and the little craft returned
successfully on Aug. 81. The Hen
drick Hudson started on the Goth and
returning next day. made her landings
IN New York city. exactly on the
ntnety-ninth anniversary of the conf
pletion Of the Clermont's VOYAGE. The
steady growth in size of Hudson river
steamboats, is shown in study of
typical vessels that have navigated the
waters Of this river.
The Clermont of 1897 was 1873 feet
IN length only. or but one foot longer
than the Americas cup defending
yacht Columbia. The Chancellor Liy-
ingston. built in 1916. was 1874 feet in
length: and the Erie constructed six
teen years later. had an overall
length of $50 feet. The Rochester,
which measured 209 feet from stem
to stern. may be taken as a typical
vessel of the year 1886. Twenty-four
years later, at about the time of the
outbreak Of the civil war. that famous
old craft, the Daniel Drew. was placed
In service. vessel which will be
familiar even to many of the younger
readers of this Journal In this steam
er the overall dimensions had risen
to Isl feet The most marked advance
IN size and comfort was undoubtedly
made when the two sister ships,
Albany and New York, were placed in
service. Each Of these was 1926 feet
IN length and they had no difficulty
IN maintaining an average speed OF
over twenty miles an hour. The
Albany was placed in service in 1881,
and the New York six years later. The
last named vessel. after running sue
cessfully for over decade, was taken
to Erie Basin. Brooklyn, cut in half
and heightened to $50 feet. In the
Hendrick Hudson the overall length
OF the Hudson steamboat has been
carried for the first time up to 400 feet.
with corresponding increase In the
other dimensions, the boat measuring
~ feet over the guards with IA feet
4 inches depth Of hold and a draught
of feet 6 inches.
In the broad feel. Of eugineeri.,
there are few products that bear such
strong individuality as the American
river steamboat. There is nothing like
it to be found in any other country in
the world. With its shallow SUPER
structure, with its long lines of amply
lighted staterooms and wide expanse
OF promenade decks. the typical river
steamboat possesses dignity and
grace which combine to render it one
OF the most picturesque creations of
the naval architect. This is particu-
larry true of the boats that ply upon
the Hudson river. In the earlier his
tory OF steamboat development, iron
was scarce and good shipbuilding tim
Der plentiful. But it was soon found
that as the length and weight of the
boats increased it was necessary, on
account of the great shallowness of
the hull. to provide some method of
trusting by which the boats could be
held to their true sheer line and pre-
vented from "hogging" or the sagging
OF the bow and stern. Hence those
remarkable trusses extending parallel
with the keel of the boat, and the elab-
crate system OF tie rods leading from
the hull to row of central posts
erected upon the keel of the ship.
Another characteristic and decidedly
picturesque feature was the curious
walking beam engine, whose low speed
OF revolution necessitated the con-
struction OF paddle wheels of truly
gigantic size. In the earlier boats,
moreover. the boilers were carried up
on the guards and outside of the hull
OF the vessel: indeed. several fine old
boats OF this description. notable
among which Is that swift and grace
fui craft. the Mary Powell. are still
doing good service, and seem likely
to for many years to come.-Scientific
American.