The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-05-03
FIRST STEAMER TO Cross OCEAN.

Or the Thousands of persons arriving at or de
parting from New York on ocean steamships OF
all sizes and descriptions probably none call ia
mind the fact that the first ship to crosss the
Atlantic propelled by steam left this port just
one hundred years ago on her maiden voyage to
Savannah, Ga, from which port few weeks
later she was to begin her epoch7making voyage
across the great pond.
This stamer, named the Savannah, was built in
New York by the shipbuilding firm of Crockett
and Pickett. whose shipyards were at Corlear's
Hook The date of her launching was August
%, 1913. The New York cHstpmhouse records
give her measurements as follows Tonnage;
319; length, 90 IL feet; beam, &c feet; depth of
hold: IA I-2 feet.
The ship was equipped with an inclined. direct
acting, loW-pressure engine of 80 horsepower.
It had single 40-ineh cylinder; the machinery
was built by Stephen Vail at Morristown N. j.,
and the boiler by Daniel bod at Elizabeth, N ;.
Originally intended for New York and Havre
packet, the Savannah" was purchased by Isaacs
and Scarborough, a firm of Savannah merchants.
She could carry only rs tons of coal and Is cords
of wood.
The trip across the Atlantic was started from
Savannah on May y, 1919, and the Georgia city
is preparing for celebration of the centennial
anniversary next month which promises to be
a notable affair. Representatives of commercial
organizations, transportation and other inter-
ests from all sections of the United States and
from Canada and England have been invited to
participate in the celebration.
On her transatlantic voyage the Savannah was
commanded by Captain Moses Rogers and navi-
gated by Stevens Rogers, both of New London
Conn. Everything went well on the voyage un-
I'll June ~, when the vessel was stopped by
British cutter, whose commander thought the
Savannah was on fire and stopped to assist in
fighting the flames. But great was the wonder
of the British commander at his inability, with
all sail IN fast vessel to come up with ship
under bare poles. After several shots were fired
from the cutter. the engine of the Savannah was
stopped. and great was the surprise Of the cut
ters crew at the mistake they had made. They
asked permission to go board and We're much
gratified by the inspection of the naval novel
ty.n
The Savannah reached Liverpool on June 20,
having used steam 80 hours out of the twenty
six days, and thus demonstrated the feasibility
OF transatlantic steam navigation.
The steamship remained Is days at Liverpool
and sailed for st. Petersburg on July %. The
boat touched en- route at Copenhagen, where it
excited great curiosity. and also at Stockholm
where it was visited by the Swedish royal fam
lily. On September she reached Cronstadt hav-
ing used steam the whole passage from Stock
holm, and few days later reached St Peters
burg.
The Savannah remained at st. Petersburg u1l- /
Gil Oct 10, and then set sail on her homeward
voyage She arrived at Savannah, Ca, on Nov |
so. Shortly after the vessel was taken to the |
navy yard at Washington. The object of this |
visit to the national capital was, in the words /
of another, ito fix her name and exploits in the
minds OF prominent men from all parts of the
United States, in order to lay foundation for
.he defense and maintenance of our claim to that
distinction which this craft and her daring COM
nander had unitedly wrought out for our ma
ion upon the mighty deep