Title: From Wood To Fuel Oil 3

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Fiddlinsue

Rank：none Score：220 Posts：220 From：USA Register：11/11/2008 8:17 AM

Date Posted：01/22/2009 11:12 PMCopy HTML "A RACE BETWEEN FUELS"   A day of wood fuel was nearly over when that world renowned race took place from the Southern terminus of Mississippi shipping, romantic New Orleans, to the fast-growing mid-west metropolis, St. Louis. Representing wood was the "Robert E. Lee",  stripped to the guards of all excess weight and looking, if such a thing were possible, like a modern racing car by comparison with the other riverboats crowding the quay. Carrying no "payload" and with all possible weight- -anchors, rigging and other equipment--left on shore, her decks were packed with wood, and plenty of fast burning pine knots and even a few fat sides of beef and pork were ready for extra speed.  To reduce wind resistance, all the doors and shutters had been removed.  She was "out" to maintain her supremacy as the fastest boat on the "Father of Waters". Competing with the "Lee" was the "Natchez", a coal burner.  With the exception that she was carrying only a minimun load of freight, her condition was no different from that on her regular runs. She was, however, not so old as the"Lee" and her lines were a little trimmer.  She had approximately equal motive power, and the diameter of her paddle wheels was four feet greater than the "Lee". However, each held identical records set early in 1870, for the run from New Orleans to Natchez, Mississippi, a trip which was commonly taken for a test of speed. No one knows exactly the amount of money which those two boats were "carrying" as their paddle wheels began turning, and they pulled away from the New Orleans dock on June 20, 1870.  But a tremendous shout went up from the crowd of race-enthusiasts which had gathered to see them off. The rival captains were on their bridges, and both captain Cannon, of the "Lee", and Captain Leathers of the "Natchez" waved reassuringly to their backers as the boats swung into the current and started on their long run up river.  The race was on, and everyone felt it would be very close. However, an unexpected maneuver early in the race by Captain Cannon, who regarded the trial as a professional event, practically decided the outcome.  As the "Lee" approached Baton Rouge, she slowed down but did not stop, while another boat lay alongside, under full steam, and discharged choice fuel onto the "Lee".  Captain Leathers lost much time in stopping and picking up his coal from a towed  coal barge. As the racers passed Memphis, Vicksburg and Cairo, the time of the two boats was telegraphed to all parts of this country, and cabled to Europe. But by the time the "Lee" reached Cairo, Illinois, three days, one hour and one minute from New Orleans, the race was almost over, for the "Natchez" was so far behind that only an accident or miracle would let her catch up.The "Lee" landed triumphantly in St. Louis, 1,278 miles by river from New Orleans, just three days, eighteen hours and fourteen minutes after she had left the Crescent City.  Her average speed for the total elapsed time was 14.17 miles per hour, including stops. The race was bitterly contested as an unfair competition by some who had lost money on it. It was the first real professional race, since theretofore races had been undertaken between boats loaded with freight and passengers. But the expense of professionalism in steamboat racing was too high, and this historic run was the beginning of the end of that exciting sport. END OF THE WOODBURNERS Although the "Robert E. Lee" won the race on wood, the end of the staunch boat and of her sister ships ended the day of wood-fuel.  Coal burners grew in number, and this became generally used on the river.  And now the "President" ushers in the new era, with her completely modern power plant using fuel oil.  This boat is the only excursion steamer on the Mississippi which burns oil, and thus gives passengers the last word in luxurious  travel. The days of the old Mississippi steamboats were romantic and colorful, but they do not compare in pleasure and convenience with the present day riverboats, of which the "President" is the out- standing example. The old boats burned their smoky wood, their dirty coal.  The "President" burns Shell fuel oil, which brings to all users a modern, clean fuel in keeping with the changing times. The above story was taken from the Streckfus Steamers magazine dated 1934-1935 This set is not linkware. It is not to leave this site in whole or in part. The backgrounds and images were created by me (Fiddlinsue). Images are from my own personal collection.     >