Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-10-11
A FAMOUS STEAMBOAT.
The Story Of the Old MIss'ss'pp'
Racer, the J. N. White.

"SteambOat days" on tue OniO anu
Mississippi have given rise to a mythol-
ogy entirely American. in which GER
tain famous names are repeated end.
lessly. One hears old river men re-
counting tales that seem to have to do
always with the Eclipse and the Shot
well. the Lee and the Natchez or some
other pair Of famous racers which
were the fastest In their day. But
there is one name which always stands
clone. that Of the steam packet ]. M.
White, for many years the unrtvaled
holder of records of river speed.
There was but one ]. M. White. and
no other could be built. The story Is
related by Archer B. Hubert in his
book on the Ohio river.
The J. M. White was built at Eliza
beth, Pa, in 1914. Billy King a boat
man famous for many years. drew the
plans. He figured to nicely the con-
tour of the hull so that there should be
but two waves dragged by 1t when
under way. Then he 80 located the
side wheels that they should strike the
second wave at its crest and so con-
vert this obstacle to speed into a ben
eft.
Mr.. ]. NJ. Converse, who was to build
the boat, objected strenuously to this
plan for putting the wheels twenty
feet aft Of the accepted place.
81 will make her this way or not at
ALL" said King. Converse appealed to
Mr.. Chouteau of st. Louis. who was
furnishing the money.
"Let King do what he thinks best"
|, was the owners answer. So the White
was built as planned, although river
men scoffed.
On its first run 1t placed the designer
at the head Of his profession. 1t ran
from New Orleans to st. Louis against
the full current Of the Mississippi In
three days, twenty-three hours and
nine minutes, fully day under the
best previous time.
River men in st. Louis fairly be.
sieged Billy King to design them a
boat to beat the White. They offered
him unheard Of sums. TO all his re-
fusal was the same.
when any man designs boat to
beat the time Of the White. then I will
draft one to beat his"
The builders draft Of the White was
lost, and until the boat was worn out
and cast away no one thought to take
another from the hull. So after few
short years-for the life Of river boat
is brief-the only draft Of 1t was that
which the designer had kept. and this
he refused to let any man see. He had
gone to st. Louis, and from there be
wrote home to friend:
Bring my wife to St Louis as soon
us she can get ready. Go into the
attic of my house, and under the comb
of the roof you will find n model In q
box. Bring that box with you Do moi
open 1t or allow any one to see 1t
Lock 1t in stateroom on the boat and
leave 1t there till you reach St Louis
I win pay all expenses"
When they reached st. Louis bis first
inquiry was for the model, and upon
securing 1t he took 1t at once to hii
house. He opened 1t In the presence Of
his wife and his friend and showed
them beautiful model Of the White
In walnut and pine several feet long
with saw he cut 1t to pieces and
with Ratchet reduced It to kindiine
| wood.
II could have done that at home jus'
as we'll, Billy" said his friend, land
| saved the expense"
Eyes, but should never have beer
satisfied" replied King.
His fame rests secure on the achieve
ment Of the ]. NJ. White, whose record
! was never equaled until the r. q. Lex
cut 1t to three days, eighteen hours and
! fourteen minutes twenty-six year,
later. He was wise enough not to tn
another and by destroying the las
draft kept the actual plan OF the boa
forever ecret.-Youth's Companion.