Norfolk & Washington Steamboat Company

Norfolk & Washington Steamboat Company
Locale Washington, DC
Norfolk, VA
Waterway Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay
Transit type Freight and Passenger Ferry
Operator Norfolk & Washington Steamboat Company
Began operation 1891
System length 194 miles (312 km)
No. of vessels 3
No. of terminals 6

The Norfolk & Washington Steamboat Company was a Steamboat company which transported of passengers and freight between Washington, DC and Norfolk, Virginia on the Potomac River.

History

The company was organized in the Spring of 1889.[1]A bill was introduced on January 4, 1890 for incorporation in the Virginia State Senate. The object of the company was to equip and operate a line of steamers for the transport of passengers and freight between Washington, DC and Norfolk, Virginia on the Potomac River. The capital stock was to be no less than $100,000 and an option for a railroad to be built inland was introduced. The Company was to build four first-class powerful steamers with all modern improvements according to the incorporation bill. They would run from Washington, DC to Norfolk with stops in Alexandria at Old Point and Newport News.[2] The original Commissioners were Chas. C. Duncanson, John Callahan and Levi Woodbury.[3] Two boats were originally commissioned to run the line at night. Two other boats were to be built if the business need arose to have day trips.[4]

The Washington

Its first steamer of the fleet that was to be nicknamed the Potomac Palaces was the Washington. It named after one of the ports being serviced by the company and was launched on November 22, 1890 in Wilmington, Delaware. Manufactured by Harlan and Hollingsworth, it was launched at 9 am on that day in the presence of several members of the company who had traveled to the city for the occasion.[5] It was christened by Miss Jane McCoy, aged 12 years old and daughter of Dr. McCoy of Philadelphia. It measured 258 feet in length with a width of 46 feet and a depth of 23 feet. It was made of iron and double-plated from the front to mid-ship at the waterline to allow it to cut through the ice that could form in the area. Six bulk heads divided the ship and offered additional protection in case of a leak occurring in a compartment. It was driven by a screw propeller of 13 1/2 in diameter with triple expansion engines of 2,000 horse power and 14 feet boilers guaranteeing a speed of 17 miles per hour.[1]

The saloon deck extended the entire length of the ship. It had forty bedrooms and eight double state-rooms. The interior was decorated and paneled and the main colors were white and gold. The Officer's quarters had a gallery containing twelve bedrooms with an inside stairway connecting it to the saloon. The staterooms and the main stairways were finished in quartered oak while the dining room was made of maple and could accommodate 60 people. The kitchen with its pantry and refrigeration and steward's room were equipped with the latest standard in appliances at the time. The main deck had 22 staterooms, a social hall, a barbershop, bathroom, a purser's office and a baggage room decorated in paneling terra-cotta, butternut and gold. The entire ship was lighted with electricity.[1]

A trial trip was conducted on March 12, 1891 on the Delaware River and Bay from Christian's Creek to Ledge Light and back, a distance of eighty miles. Guests including the commissioners, were on-board to witness the trial and were served a luncheon by the builders. A speed test was conducted during the run resulting in the boat making a mile in three minutes and seven seconds.[6] The steamer arrived at the DC wharf on March 26, 1891 under the command of Captain S. B. Davis who had been navigating the Potomac since 1871. [7]

Wharf Lease

On September 29, 1890, it was recommended by Captain Rossell that a lease be approved for a wharf located next to the arsenal wall. The steamboat company had made a request a few days earlier to have a landing point in the city. The recommendation called for a annual rent of $2,500 with an allowance of $1,500 for keeping the wharf in working order. It was approved by the Commissioners.[8]

The Norfolk

The second steamer of the fleet was named the Norfolk after the second port being serviced by the company and was launched on January 10, 1891 at 12:25 in Wilmington and also manufactured by Harlan and Hollingsworth as its sister ship. It was christened by Bessie Callahan, the 18 year old of John Callahan, one of the company's commissioner. It was build to the exact same specification as its twin-sister, the Washington.[9]

Speeding and a Day Trip

The line operated with two boats from the 1891 to 1894. On September 13, 1894, the Alexandria Gazette reported that the Mayor of Alexandria, Henry Strauss, addressed a letter to the company informing them that its steamers were damaging the wharves as well as the small crafts docked there. They were going to fast as they passed the city as well as when they docked. Superintendent Callahan promptly acknowledged the concern and replied that he had ordered the captains to be careful and make sure no damages were done.[10] This prompt response was probably warranted by the upcoming announcement done only two days later.

On September 15, 1894 after months of speculation it was announced by Superintendent John Callahan, that a third steamer was to be built. The route had been a success for the company and the traffic warranted a new addition to the line. It would operate during the day and be larger and more powerful then the other two steamers while retaining their comfort.[11] The contract was awarded to the Newport News Shipbuilding Company on November 15, 1894.[12] The steamer would operate the day trip during the summers leaving Washington, DC at 8:30 am and arriving in Norfolk at 6:30 pm. It would be touching Alexandria, Piney Point, Point Lookout and Old Point.[13] In the winters, she would relieve the other two ships o the company during their annual docking and overhauling[14]

The Newport News

On April 9, 1895, the Newport News is launched from the city for which it is a namesake.[15] The trial trip took place on June 6, 1895 under the command of Captain Georghegan between Old Point light and Windmill Point light, a distance of 46 miles and back. The average speed was 19 miles with a maximum of 21 miles. The test was considered a success.[16] On June 18, 1895 was formally turned over to its owners.[17]

See Also

References

  1. 1 2 3 A Palace Boat - The Daily Critic - November 22, 1890
  2. ↑ Washington Steamboat Company - Alexandria Gazette - January 4, 1890
  3. ↑ The Washington Critic - February 20, 1890 - page 3
  4. ↑ Alexandria Gazette - March 6 1890
  5. ↑ The Washington Floats - The Evening Star - November 22, 1890
  6. ↑ The Critic - Evening Edition - March 12, 1891
  7. ↑ Town talk - The Sunday Herald - March 29, 1891
  8. ↑ Lease of a Wharf Site Recommended - Evening Star September 29, 1890
  9. ↑ Potomac Palaces - The Critic - January 10, 1890 - Front Page
  10. ↑ Local Intelligence - Alexandria Gazette - Evening Edition - September 13, 1894
  11. ↑ Local Intelligence - Alexandria Gazette - Evening Edition - September 15, 1894
  12. ↑ Local Intelligence - Alexandria Gazette - Evening Edition - November 16, 1894
  13. ↑ The Evening Star - November 17, 1894
  14. ↑ Local Intelligence - Alexandria Gazette - Evening Edition - November 19, 1894.
  15. ↑ Finished with Feast - The Evening Star - April 10, 1895
  16. ↑ The New Steamer - Alexandria Gazette - June 7, 1895
  17. ↑ Newport News Coming to Washington - The Evening Star - June 17, 1895
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