Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-28

navigation Of the Potomac river came
to the Rambler as he sat on the string
piece Of an old and rotting wharf. A
good many years ago. in 1888, The
Star published an interview with a
venerable river captain. Capt Bob Wal
tiers. whose memory seemed to go BACK
to the beginning of Potomac steam
boats. He remembered steamboats,
and steamboat captains on this river
as far back as 1895 With that as a
starting point. the Rambler began his
search. The Library of Congress had
nothing in which the facts sought had
been collected SO the search was be-
gun on raw material AS the begin-
ming OF anything seems to be always
found further back than one thinks al
the outset. the Starman chose as an
arbitrary starting point the year 1928
or eight years earlier than the date TO
which Capt. Bob Walters memory re-
verted.
The newspaper files of that year. 1928
showed a steamboat. the Potomac
Cant. IIriah Jenkins, running from
Washington to Norfolk and thence to
Richmond and back to washington.
They showed another boat. the Fred
ericksburg. Capt Benedict !. Jehkan a. !
baltimore. and making all the Potomac
river landings. They showed line
of steamboats, probably two thous
their names arc not mentioned. run
ming between Washington and Potomac
creek. connecting there with stages
to and from Fredericksburg, Richmond
and points in the far south ana south
west. The old files for 1873 also
showed two steamboats,. the Surprise.
Cant. Alexander Scott. and the indie
pendence, the captain not named. run
ming back and forth. twice daily De
tween Washington and Alexandrla-
Before reaching further BACK 1n 10
we'll. in order to get a picture OF the
period OF 1928. to read some OF the
Steamboat advertisements Througnou,
July, 1928. this advertisement stares
at one out of the yeiioweo pages u
the National Intelligencer:
..The steamboat Potomac, Capt. Uriah
Jenkins. having been lately hauled up
at New York. completely repaired and
new coppered the guards extended
quite aft so as to afford pleasant and
more roomy deck and the engine put
in complete order on the most approved
plans, will resume her usual route from
the city Of Washington. Leaving Wash
ington at o'clock and Alexandra at
4 o'clock every Wednesday afternoon,
arrive at Old Point Comfort and Nor
folk the following afternoon. Leave
Norfolk at o'clock the next morning
and arrive at City Point and Richmond
the evening Of the same day. rare
from Washington or Alexandra to all
places on the Potomac river where pas
sengers can be landed with convent
ence, $6. From Washington to Old Point
Comfort or Norfolk. IS; Richmond, $40.
n Wattles. Agent"
Close to the foregoing advertisement
is that Of a rival transportation system,
the announcement Of which follows:
Cheapest and Most Expeditions
Route from Washington City to Rich
mond, Va Fare Reduced to SS.75. TO
Southern and Southwestern Travellers.
The proprietors Of the steamboat and
stage line daily southern and south
western mail route) respectfully in
form the public that they have reduced
the fare from Washington City to Fred
ericksburg to s3.75 and from Fred
ericksburg to Richmond to So. The
steamboat leaves Washington at noon
daily, and passengers arrive in Rich
mond next day at 2 o'clock pm. Only
twenty-six hours. Steamboat to Poto-
mac creek Stage to Richmond"
In the spring of 1923 one may read an
advertisement of the Baltimore and Poto-
mac Steam Packet Company, which re-
cites that There will be a meeting Of
stockholders of the Baltimore and Poto-
mac Steam Packet Company at D. B.