Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-25

orable first voyage on the Hudson. On
August II, at l o'clock the boat was loosed
from its moorings at a dock on the North
river, near the states prison, Greenwich
village. Fulton's own account of the event
and Of his feelings at this crisis have for
t~unately been preserved in a valuable let
ter to an unknown friend, which is now
in the possession Of Mrs. Robert Fulton
Blight. and which has never before been
published. It reads:
My Dear Sir: The moment arrived
in which the word was to be given for
the boat to move. My friends were in
groups on deck. There was anxiety mixed
with fear among them. They were silent,
sad and weary. l read in their looks moth
ing but disaster, and almost repented of
my efforts. The signal was given and the
boat moved on a short distance and then
stopped and became immovable. To the
silence Of the preceding moment now sue
ceeded murmurs of discomfort and agita-
lions and whispers and shTugs. l could
hear distinctly repeated: L told you it was
so; it is a foolish scheme; 1 wish we were
we'll out Of it,
Il elevated myself upon a platform and
addressed the assembly. l stated that I
knew not what was the matter, but If
they would be quiet and indulge me for
half an hour, l would either go on or
abandon the voyage for that time. This
short respite was conceded without OBJ
lection. l went below and examined the
machinery, and discovered that the cause
was a slight maladjustment of some Of
the work. In a short time it was obvtated.
The boat was again put in motion. 1t con-
tinued TO move on. All were still incred-
ulous. None seemed willing TO trust the
evidence OF their own senses. We left the
fair city Of New York; we passed through
the romantic and ever-varying scenery Of
| the Highlands; we deserted the clustering
houses Of Albany; we reached its shores
and then, even then, when all seemed
achieved. 1 was the victim Of disappoint-
ment.
"Imagination superseded the influence OF
fact. 1t was then doubted II It could be
done again, or, II done, It was doubted If
it could be made Of any great value. Yours,
= "R. FULTON"
An d Craft.
II was an odd craft. The machinery,
placed in the center, was exposed to view
and creaked ominously. only the bow and
stern were covered to form the cabin. The
unprotected paddle wheels swung ponder
ously at each side and splashed the water
as they revolved. There were two masts,
but no bowsprit, as sometimes pictures,
The compass was rather rude, but answered
the purpose we'll. though the man at the
tiIler In the stern had difficulty In defin-
ing the course. After the first voyage
Fulton realized the displacement OF the
tiller, and proposed IN adjustment OF guild
ing ropes from each side Of the tiller to a
forward wheel near the mainmast, and this
alteration was made before the vesseI
passed into commercial service. There was
no steam whistle, and upon arrival al a
wharf a horn was blown, and some Of this
crew were set 20 work to carry enough
wood on board to supply fuel until the mex
landing. The historic bell Of the Clermont
rung at the launching Of the new model
July 10. 1903, under the auspices Of tn,
lHudson-Fulton Celebration commission
was probably used on the original boa
after II had been widened and enlarged il
accommodations. This bell, which is to b,
an interesting feature OF the celebration
has been loaned 10 the commission by tn.
president Of the Hudson River Day line O
steamboats,.
Like the vessel itself, the impression 1