The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-24

Hon. Isaac Grant, the veteran historian of south Alabama, and editor of the Clarke County Democrat. in issue of Feb ruary Il. 1904, has this article
 FAST STEAMBOATS.
 We read with much interest the steam boat "reminiscences of south Alabama which have recently appeared in the Will COX Banner. of which Hon. James Fleet wood Foster Is editor. Having resided for more than 70 years between the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers our interest in said articles is natural while it Is not un reasonable that we should possess some knowledge of the more important boats and of their commanders. According to our memory the statements of the Ban ner and the reasonable impressions de- ducible therefrom are very correct. ex- cept, perhaps, as relates to the speed of the steamer Cuba. which we did not re- gard as grfat as the reader would i'm agine. T best time of the Cuba from Mobile to'yDemopois is considerably short of that of several other boats, but she may have created a more favorable inn pression oa tho Alabama river. where, in 1859, she caused considerable notice by making two trips week between Mo- bile and Montgomery. When not heav- fly loaded the Cuba was fine runner.
 Our oninion has always been that the Montgomery, which came over from the Alabama river about 1S46, was the fastest running boat ever on our waters The James Battle was a fast boat, but com- ing here just as the war was coming on she did not have much chance to display her powers.
 About the time the Montgomery came the James Hewitt, the Eliza, the Tom Dale. the New World and some other fine fast boats made their appearance. A lit- tie later the Ambassador and then the Alice Vivian. which, with the James Bat tie, above mentioned. closed the period of fast steamboats on our rivers, and we shall see them no more.
 With the period of 15 years immediately preceding the war of secession, when steamboating on our rivers was at it's best, the most popular commanders were Jesse J. Cox, Luck Wainwright Frank and Andy Johnson, Tim and Byrne Meaher on the Alabama and Henderson kenney Monroe Quarter. w H. Roberts. Hamilton Johnston and few others on the Tombigbee. This period ante-dated the stones, Abels, Finnegan, Quill and many others, who were quite popular and ceservedly so at a later day.
 The fastest time between Mobile and Demopolis was about Is or 19 hours, and was made by the following boats: Mont gomery, James Hewitt Eliza and New World. The Ambassador was a very fast boat, but her heavy business in the lover r1ver Kept her from making as good time as some of the others. The same may be said of the Alice Vivian
 We are always pleased to have any Of our writings criticized in the fine taste and style that characterizes the above article of our able brother. and beg to say that in one of our boat ing "reminiscences we stated the defeat of the Cuba by the Bigbee chabpion Ambassador with Henderson Kenney on the roof. We stood as witness to the start. The Cuba was sent on d spe- cal mission to the upper Bigbea for cargo of cotton and was almost freightless. while her competitor was orr regular run and carried the usual freights and made many landings. The race was to the Junction, as far as the A'nbassedor was concerned and in that she led. The Cuba arrived first ar Demopolis, claimed a victory, which claim the public ridiculed MT. Grant surely knew the Cuba's strong point fast when light Another point not to be overlooked was the commander
 
 We recall having stated in a former article the time made by the famous to the Junction--three hours and ten minutes--which to this day stands unbeaten. She had an i'm mense diameter of cylinder with a TO- foot stroke of engine. We do not know the exact pressure to the square inch Of boiler allowed by the United States in those days, but we know now that in the interest of humanity it has been reduced far below that allowed 50 or 60 years ago.
 We also agree with Mir Grant that the James Battle, being a newcomer just previous to the war. had very lit tie chance to make a record; but know, l further, that her competitor, the St | Charles, was no match on a straight | run, yet by having the unequaled Otis l 1n the hurricane deck she led the Bat | tie up and down, for neither William | F. James nor James A. Greer could | push matters as could Captain Tob
 The Alice Vivian was no doubt tho | fastest of the Bigbeel packets of her -ime, having on two separate occasions | ] lefeated the St. Charles to the Junction l oy some 15 minutes.
 We watched the departure of the | Battle and the Vivian more than once | IS Saturday afternoon packets, but each seemed timid, and only once did they dash and bad blood was stirred up. | and much talk of $50O0 or $10,00O