Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-11

1862. The Cincinnati-Eew Orleans
steamboat George Washington blew
up near Grand Gulf. Miss. in the same
year.
In the matter of Potomac steam
boats the Rambler has received an
interesting letter from his old frienl
Aleck Gait. Aleck now signs himself
Alexander II. Gait. and he is of the
firm of Gait & Williams, shorthand
reporters, 921 18th street. Aleck did
used in this public way, but the let
ter is too good to be merely filed
away in the Rambler's desk. 1t fol-
lows:
As lifelong resident Of Washington wish
to convey to you the expression Of the genuine
pleasure derive from reading your ''rambles"
each Sunday, and know they are equally en-
Pertaining to all your numerous other readers.
now approaching the ''oldest inhabitants'
class, IT, indeed, not already elected. l was
especially entertained BY reading your. to me.
delightful narrative regarding the old steam
boats plying between Washington and Potomac
river landings in yesterdays magasine. 1t
reads like an elogium Of departed friends, or at
least Is very pleasant reminder Of them. and
they were the friends of all Washington's then
comparatively small population. for they al
ways catered generously to our happiness and
pleasure.
My father was one of the pioneers in the
wood and coal business Of Washington, having
his yard and wharf at the foot Of 7th street,
where docks Of the Norfolk and Washington
Steamboat Company are now located. and
distinctly remember the Arrow, to which you
refer. although l was quite 4 small child. I
frequently made trips on the old craft in the
days before Capt. Hollingshcad took command,
when gallant and handsome Capt. Tom Stack
pole and his merry and witty old pilot. Ben
McGarr who. I am sure. will be recalled by
your older readers along the river front, con-
veyed passengers to the home Of the Father
Of His Country. Orchestras were scarce in
those days, and were not INDUCED In by river
steamers except those carrying excursions. and
/ remember q tall colored musician who sang
postwar songs to the accompaniment Of a
banjo for the delectation Of the passengers.
One Of his favorite songs ran:
"Let 'em bomb. bomb bomb
The way will clear.
Whilst they are bombing there.
Jacksons in the rear
The Arrow, very improperly named, think,
sitting 10 low in the water at the waist, and
her speed such that she. though moving
seemed asleep" on the occasion Of q Sunday
school excursion. was reported to Washington
as having sunk, the man the shore observing
her apparently settled position. and not MOTTO
ing that she was moving. This created much
CONSERVATION in Washington, and Mr.. Wright
ut ms WAahin0tOn'R
prominent citizens. chartered tugboat and
hastened to the scene, overtaking the Arrow
before she had proceeded far. and returned,
reporting "alls well.''
Another steamboat which you may possibly
give us some history Of was the W. W. Colt.
one Of the steamboats, plying between Norfolk
and Washington in the los, and having high
inclosed forward deck She was a passenger
and freight steamer. also docking At my
watermelons, which were quite popular in those
days. and other fruits and vegetables to the
servee IL the o Beam
for Potomac waters. and was constructed with
railroad tracks through her main deck for
She was a very fast steamer and there was
considerable rivalry between her and the T. V.
Arrowsmth. smother very fast steamer. The
senger business between Washington and the
lower river landings. Indeed, In point Of swift
ness, the ArfOWSmltn was the peer OK all river
steamers Of her day, and there was much ex-
element among the crews and passengers
when she overhauled the Excelsior making for
this city. Races between these boats often
took place. IN which the Arrowsmith was quite
generally the victor.
The old Express, to which you refer, was
the only steamer on the river with q vertical
walking BEAM" ~ 1t was called. Her sched-
ule between Washington and Piney Point, re-
call, was. leaving Washington at Z am. ar
irving at Piney Point. about seventy Ave miles
away, at 1890 the following morning. OF
course, she made 4 good many calls at river
landings. ! assume that you will give IN
some "reminiscences Of the old Warwassett,
the steamer that was burned in the lower river
with several fatalities. Pardon my intrusion
upon your very interesting work, but 1 could
not resist the temptation to give you some
personal recollections Of old steamboats, on
the river.
Among the interesting letters which
have come to the Rambler Is one from
Mrs. Susie Fowke Reed Of Mount Holly,
Va. Mount Holly Is a steamboat landing
and a beautiful place on Nomini creek.
The letter follows:
In The Star Of March Il you write Of the
old steamboats, ON the Potomac, and It brought
to my mind the good old times that have
passed ana gone. when but 4 girl 1 spent
very pleasant hours on the old George Page
and the James Guy. Both were built and
owned By Mr.. George Page. The Guy he
gave TO his son. Lucien sumby Page. Ny
father, Samuel Baker Fowke. was captain OF
the Guy from 1857 ~ my memory serves mel
IN civil ~ nam hav ~