On the 20th day of June in the year 1819 the steamship Savannah arrived at
Liverpool from the United States. When the Savannah approached the English coast
with her single stack giving forth volumes of dense black smoke, it was thought
by those on shore that she was a ship on fire, and British men-of-war and
revenue cutters set out to aid her. When the truth was known, consternation
reigned among the English officers. They were astonished at the way the craft
steamed away from them after they had rushed to assist what they thought was a
ship in distress.
by Providence Journal, 1919
The Savannah may be called
the father of the scores of steamers that are now carrying our soldiers and
supplies from the New World to the Old World. It was the first ship equipped
with steam power to cross the Atlantic ocean. It made the trip in 25 days,
using both sails and engine, and the arrival of the strange craft at
Liverpool was the cause of unusual stir among our English cousins. Like
every step from the beaten path the idea of steam travel between the New
World and the Old World was looked upon with much scepticism and it was not
until about 20 years later that regular, or nearly regular, steamer service
was established.
The launching of the Savannah took place on Aug. 22, 1818. It was not
accompanied by the ceremony that is accorded many of the boats upon similar
occasions to-day. As a matter of fact, it is probable that only a few
persons knew that the craft was intended for a transatlantic trip.
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The keel of the boat was
laid with the idea of building a sailing ship, and the craft was practically
completed before Capt. Moses Rogers, the originator of the venture, induced
Scarborough & Isaacs, ship merchants of Savannah, to buy her and fit her
with a steam engine for service between Savannah and Liverpool.
The ship, which was built by Francis Fickett, was 100 feet long, 28 feet
broad and 14 feet deep. It had three masts which, of course, were of far
greater importance in making progress toward its destination than was the
steam engine.
Capt. Rogers had gained a reputation for great courage and skill in sailing.
He had already had the honor of navigating the sea with a steamer, taking
the New Jersey from New York to the Chesapeake in 1816, a voyage which was
then thought to be one of great danger for such a vessel.
It was natural, then, that he was especially ambitious to go down in history
as the first master of a steam ship to cross the ocean. As soon as the
vessel had been purchased by the Savannah ship merchants, the work of
installing the engine was begun. This was built by Stephen Vail of
Speedwell, N.J., and the boiler by David Dod of Elizabeth, N. J. The
paddle-wheels were made of iron and were "detachable," so that the sections
could be removed and laid on the deck. This was done when it was desired to
proceed under canvas exclusively and was also a precaution in rough weather.
In short, the Savannah was an auxiliary steamer, a combination of steam and
sail that later became well known in shipping. This is much like the early
development of the gasoline marine engine, which was an auxiliary to the
sail, a combination that is still used.
Capt. Rogers took the boat from New York to Savannah in eight days and 15
hours, using steam on this trip for 41½ hours. On May 26, 1819, under Capt.
Rogers, the Savannah set sail from her home port for Liverpool and made the
trip in 25 days.
As long as the trip took, the voyage was considerably shorter than the
average for the sailing ship in 1819, and this reduction in time was
accomplished in spite of the fact that the Savannah ran into much
unfavorable weather. Capt. Rogers used steam on 18 of the 25 days and
doubtless would have resorted to engine power more of the time except for
the fact that at one stage of the voyage the fuel was exhausted.
It was natural that the arrival of the steamer in English waters should not
have been looked upon with any great favor by the Englishmen. In addition to
the jeers of the sceptical, the presence of vessels was accompanied by
suspicion on the part of the naval authorities, and the merchants were not
favorably impressed.
In fact, when the Savannah approached the English coast with her single
stack giving forth volumes of dense black smoke, it was thought by those on
shore that she was a ship on fire, and British men-of-war and revenue
cutters set out to aid her. When the truth was known, consternation reigned
among the English officers. They were astonished at the way the craft
steamed away from them after they had rushed to assist what they thought was
a ship in distress.
In short, the reception of the Savannah at Liverpool was not particularly
cordial.
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In the second volume of "Memoranda of a Residence at the Court
of St. James," Richard Rush, then American Minister in London,
includes a complete log of the Savannah. Dispatch No. 76 from
Minister Rush reports the arrival of the ship and the comment that
was caused by its presence as follows:
London, July 3,1819.
Sir--On the 20th of last month arrived at Liverpool from the United
States the steamship Savannah, Capt. Rogers, being the first vessel
of that description that ever crossed the sea, and having excited
equal admiration and astonishment as she entered port under the
power of her steam.
She is a fine ship of 320 tons burden and exhibits in her
construction, no less than she has done in her navigation across the
Atlantic, a signal trophy of American enterprise and skill upon the
ocean.
I learn from Capt. Rogers, who has come to London and been with me,
that she worked with great ease and safety on the voyage, and used
her steam full 18 days.
Her engine acts horizontally and is equal to a 72 horsepower. Her
wheels, which are of iron, are on the sides, and removable at
pleasure. The fuel laid in was 1500 bushels of coal, which got
exhausted on her entrance into the Irish Channel.
The captain assures me that the weather in general was extremely
unfavorable, or he would have made a much shorter passage; besides
that, he was five days delayed in the channel for want of coal. I
have the honor to be, etc., RICHARD RUSH.
To have made the first voyage across the Atlantic Ocean under steam
was a great accomplishment and brought no little credit to Capt.
Rogers and the United States. Pioneers in many ventures, the
American people had added another honor to their record. And this
was even more of a credit because in those early days skilled
workmen were comparatively few on these shores and the machine shops
had not reached a stage of efficiency that came a short time later.
There were, of course, in 1819 men who had developed into mechanics
and there were shops of some account, as the steamboat for short
trips had been in existence for some years. But the whole enterprise
of planning a steam voyage in which the boat should be headed due
east was characteristic of the boldness and bravery of the
Americans.
The Savannah did not return to the States directly from England. It
steamed from Liverpool to St. Petersburg and brought forth further
comment from the Old World. She proved that the marine steam engine
and side-wheels were practicable for deep-sea navigation. The idea
of transatlantic travel under steam had been born and it was only
necessary to develop the idea to "shorten the distance" between the
two continents.
This pioneer voyage, however, was then looked upon more as a novelty
than as the inception of a new method of long-distance travel. The
trip had failed to demonstrate that steam was an entirely adequate
substitute for the mast and sail in regular service.
Since the Savannah was primarily a sailing vessel, the loss of steam
power by the crippling of the engine would not be serious, as she
could continue on her way with paddle-wheels removed and under full
sail.
It was 19 years later that the idea of employing vessels propelled
by steam in trade between the United States and England came under
the serious consideration of merchants and ship builders. In the
interval the marine boiler and the engines had been improved until
they had passed the stage of experiment, and coasting voyages had
become common on both sides of the Atlantic.
The beginning of real transatlantic steam voyages was made by the
Sirius and the Great Western. The latter boat had been built
especially for trips across the ocean and the former was taken from
the Cork and London line. The Sirius started from Liverpool on April
4, 1838, and the Great Western four days later. They arrived in New
York within 24 hours of each other, the Sirius at 10 p.m. on April
22 and the Great Western at 3 o'clock the following afternoon.
Neither of the vessels carried much sail.
These boats gave more or less irregular service until withdrawn
because of their failure to pay expenses. In 1839 the Cunard Company
was formed and the paddle steamers Britannia, Arcadia, Columbia, and
Caledonia were put into service.
From that time on the steamer developed with great rapidity, the
value of which was never more demonstrated than at the present time.
It will always be remembered, however, that this Capt. Rogers with
his crude little Savannah was the man whose bold enterprise gave
birth to the idea of transatlantic travel under steam. |
the end
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World travelers should remember
the
threat of malaria when making their plans. Estimates show that around 107
territories present a major risk for contracting the disease. These territories
include: Africa, Asia (including the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and
the Middle East), parts of Eastern Europe, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador,
Columbia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Panama, parts of Central
America -- and many islands in the South Pacific.
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Caretaking STRETCHES your travel dollar.
On the 20th day of June in the year 1819 the
steamship Savannah arrived at Liverpool from the United States. When the
Savannah approached the English coast with her single stack giving forth volumes
of dense black smoke, it was thought by those on shore that she was a ship on
fire, and British men-of-war and revenue cutters set out to aid her. When the
truth was known, consternation reigned among the English officers. They were
astonished at the way the craft steamed away from them after they had rushed to
assist what they thought was a ship in distress.
South America
From Patagonia in the south to Columbia and Venezuela in the north, South
America offers travelers with an entire continent to explore. Visitors who
travel South America can visit tremendous mountains, amazing rain forests and
beautiful beaches. A trip to South America will
expose travelers to various languages and cultures from both the new world of
Europe to the ancient societies of South America’s indigenous people.
I'll never forget the look on the face of that Colombian
campesino man. My wife just explained to him in Spanish that what I
am holding under my arm is indeed a surfboard, despite the fact that
we were standing in a Colombian village that was located somewhere
in the middle of the Andes Mountains, hundreds of miles away from
any ocean. After hearing this news the man made a joke about us
getting bad directions. Crossing the Andes
with a surfboard.
The climb up the glaciers to the summit of
Mount
Chimborazo in Ecuador isn't considered highly technical. Technically, it is
mountaineering, but how hard could it be, considering that I went to 20,600 feet
the first time I used crampons and an ice axe? Okay, I had used them once for
practice, on a sledding hill near my house.
Getting married in Chile is one of the most
romantic ideas you can come up with. You should first check with
the Chilean Embassy and Consulate Office for current laws and
requirements. Getting married abroad is as legal and accepted as if it
happened domestically as long as you adhere to the proper requirements
of both the host country and your own.
What attracts most visitors to the area is the many mega-resort
properties that line Highway 307 from Cancun to Tulum, also referred to
as the Riviera Maya. People are lured by the miles of beaches, clear
turquoise sea, and the ability to leave their wallets in the hotel safe
for a week for an all-inclusive Caribbean holiday. Unfortunately, if
you never leave the resort, you miss out on experiencing the culture
and beauty of the Mexican Coast.
The Fascinating History of
the Panama Canal.
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European Highlights
For the fortunate few, life isn’t complete without a
backpacking trip through Europe. This rite
of passage is believed to further the maturation process of college students,
according to sociologists. Of course, others have opined that copious amounts of
alcohol, sun and Amsterdam have something to do with it. Regardless of your
purpose, you still have to figure out what to take.
Alsace, unlike the other French regions, is rich in
French, German and Swiss influences. The region is situated among the Vosges
mountains in the mid-eastern to north-eastern part of France. Alsace is the
smallest of all French regions with Strasbourg bordering Germany and the Rhine
River. Towards Mulhouse in the south, the region is bordered by Switzerland and
the region known as Franche-Comte.
***
Prenzlau: Pristine nature, clean air and clear water, a wide variety
of nature protection and landscape conservation areas plus biosphere reserves –
the calmness and the light are the reasons why people feel so at home
here.Prenzlau an the Uckermark have all kinds of cultural and sporting
activities on offer, as well as modern accommodation options. I´d like tell you
a little bit about what´s on offer.
After a tour of the city, a trip to the Uckersee Lake for a spot of rest and
recreation is highly recommended. The Unteruckersee Lake has for many centuries
been one of the towns´treasures. Frederick I also held the lake in high esteem,
choosing it as the venue for his legendary swan hunt – which gave our coat of
arms its swan, by the way.
The lake has a special attraction for people of Prenzlau and visitors to our
town. As well as the Uckersee Lakes – the Uckersee Lake itself is linked to the
upper Uckersee Lake by canal – there are wonderful places to go in the direct
vicinity of the town for hiking, cycling and boat trips. You can take a relaxing
sailing trip across the Uckersee Lakes in the “Onkel Albert” passenger ship, or
put your own muscle power to the test with a trip on the “Ukrasvan”, a
reproduction 10th-century Slavic boat. If the sun shines as well, you´ll have
the perfect nature experience.
***
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Bulgaria was the Slav land of Orpheus and Spartacus.
It holds countless treasures, burial tombs and magnificent art and frescos
reminiscent of centuries past, offering visitors the opportunity to tour
numerous museums and monuments to understand Bulgaria’s rich cultural heritage..
Today, culturally the Bulgarians remember the days when men tried to appease the
natural elements and trembled before their power! Rich with beauty, gaiety,
mystical voices, fiery dances and brightly colored costumes, Bulgarian folklore
has to be seen, felt and experienced…
Bulgaria is best known for its budget holiday
resorts on the Black Sea. Here you can enjoy great health and leisure
activities at a fraction of the cost of most other tourist destinations. Warm
sunshine with pleasant temperatures (around 26°C in summer) comfortable hotels,
white, non-tidal beaches, water sports are but some of the attractions to the
area. There is also plenty of entertainment laid on by the hotels, including
night life at all the resorts. In addition, within minutes you can find yourself
in picturesque mountains, ski resorts and golf courses.
***
In Belgium the traffic drives on the right,
drivers must be 18 and carry a valid driving licence and international driving
permit, if they are foreigners. Seatbelts are mandatory for everyone and
children under three must use a proper child restraint system. A warning
triangle is compulsory as are headlamp converters (for left hand drive cars),
dipped headlights in poor weather and a first-aid kit. Belgium has strict
drunk-driving laws, only allowing 0.25mg/ml of alcohol in the blood. Fines range
from €125 on-the-spot to €2,500 (if prosecuted) and up to a maximum of €10,000
(if over 0.8mg/l), a six-month sentence and five-year suspension of your licence.
Speed limits are implemented rigorously with frequent radar traps and heavy
on-the-spot fines.
With the same dedication of the swallows returning to
Capistrano, the rich and famous flock to the French
Riviera every year. When you walk along the city streets in the spring, or
one of the many bustling open-air fruit and vegetable markets, and you might
just find yourself passing a famous movie star or elegant fashion model.
The Grand Prix is held in Monaco. It ranks
among the top sporting events in the world, and for good reason. The
combination of Formula One cars street racing and the influx of celebrities to
the playground of Europe make a heady mix for the annual event, and is viewed as
part of the social calendar for the world’s top sports stars, actors, models and
businessmen. The circuit takes in Casino Square and passes by the renowned
Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo, making it one of the most recognisable hotels in
the world.
Spain is such a popular destination we have
created an entire directory for it.
Explore Morocco *
The Cultural Heritage of Vienna
Switzerland
greets the eye like a fairy tale. Its cities are precision built, the
trains run on time and everywhere you look the natives there seem to be dancing
or at least having a great time. The diversity of the German, French,
Romanish, and Italian languages has formed a robust national culture.
A short tour of Rome.
Discover everything you need to Know for the Perfect
Vacation, including where to stay, where to eat and the best places to visit in
Florence, Italy. Find out the answers to the Top 50 most Frequently asked
Questions about Florence, Italy. Visit Places to
visit in Florence Italy
Joined to Bagnoregio, and to the world, through only one bridge,
Civita Italy appears in an unreal isolation due to
landslip series and downfall of argillaceous ground on which the entire town is
built and that is still in danger.
Incredible prices for all kinds of goods can be found on
the Rock of Gibraltar. |
London has miles and miles of
adventure, from the distant past to the rocketing future.
The History of London
Bridge: London Bridge today is not the same London Bridge that
crossed the Thames when it was first built. Peter, a priest and chaplain of St.
Mary's of Colechurch, began the foundation of the original bridge in 1176 to
replace a wooden bridge (expensive to maintain and repeatedly burned down) that
had first been built by the Romans.
Southend-on-Sea is Essex’s
largest town and its close proximity to London makes it a popular tourist
destination year after year. Better still, it is located in the south east
of the country in an area widely regarded as the driest part of Britain.
Southampton -- Set on the coast of Hampshire,
south of Winchester, this is a place that abounds with a fascinating heritage.
The Romans, who established it as a seaport, founded Southampton approximately
2,000 years ago. This was the port from which the ill-fated Titanic had set sail
on her maiden voyage in 1912. Even though the place was affected during the
Second World War, Southampton has grown sturdy with huge docks built for the
cruise industry. The core of the modern city is now based around the City
Centre.
Introducing Australia It is located in the
Southern
Hemisphere and it is over twenty times the size of the United Kingdom has the
lowest population density in the world, with only two people per square kilometre, has more than seven thousand beaches (more than any other country)
and covers three time zones. It is also the sixth largest country and smallest
continent on the planet.
The Gold Coast of Australia features 40km of
sandy immaculate beaches and is located 70kms south of Queensland's capital
city, Brisbane, and 947kms North the capital of New south Wales, Sydney. It
has an estimated population of 480,000 and is Australia's sixth largest
city.
Stunning Katherine Gorge, the major attraction of Nitmiluk
National Park in the Northern Territory of Australia, is an absolute must see.
Katherine Gorge shows that the most impressive experiences in the Australian
Outback don't cost an arm and a leg, don't have to be shared with a kazillion
other tourists, and they don't require any special preparations.
New Zealand is a country comprised of two large islands
and many smaller islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean and is noted for its
geographic isolation. The Tasman Sea separates Australia to the northwest; to
north are Fiji and Tonga. The total area of New Zealand is 268670 sq. km, which
is slightly less than Japan but a little more than the United Kingdom. The
country has extensive marine resources and the fifth largest Exclusive Economic
Zone in the world. Meaning New Zealand can claim over four million km2 or more
than 15 times its land area for exploration and use of marine resources.
The History of the Balearic Islands: The
Balearic Islands have been inhabited since prehistoric times, around 5000 BC,
and there are many Cyclopean remains. These show the communities constructed
dwellings of stone. There is evidence of primitive agriculture including the
keeping of domesticated animals. Jewelry, pottery and tools appear to have been
manufactured. Later they were frequently visited by Phoenician traders. In 654
BC the Carthaginians founded what is today Ibiza city. Roman occupation followed
and they were in turn evicted by the Visigoths.
Samoa, southseas paradise beckons to the modern
traveler.
The discovery of "the cave of John the Baptist" not far away from Jerusalem was a great journalistic drama. Archaeological news easily lights the imagination. Remember the movie series of Indiana Jones. Is it true that John the Baptist began to baptize his followers in this cave? Let us go over the facts, and find out.
Indiana Jones and the Cave of John the Baptist
Traveling Asia is
something that everyone
should experience at least once in their lifetime. When you travel to Asia,
there are so many things to see and do; make sure that you plan your trip in
advance. However, remember to leave some free time in you itinerary, because
when you travel Asia, you want to make sure that you have the flexibility for an
occasional adventure.
World of the Geisha:
The function of the geisha is to provide men with learned but carefree
conversation, song and dance, and cup after cup of sake. Unlike the common lot
of prostitutes, they are expected to receive rigorous training in their gei, or
"art". Their dress is elaborate and expensive, and thus their services do not
come cheap. And sex is not a service, or at any rate not the foremost service,
that they offer.
Taiwan:
Political struggles aside, the island and people of Taiwan are worth
visiting. Travelers who seek a contrast between traditional Asian culture
and modern Asian development need look no farther than Taiwan to satisfy
their traveling needs.
North Korea: As
an independent kingdom of "Morning Calm" for much of the past thousand years,
Korea was occupied by Japan in 1905 following the Russo-Japanese War. Five years
later, Japan formally annexed the entire peninsula. Many Korean village leaders
still speak fluent Japanese. After the terror of World War II liberated it Korea
was split almost in half on the 30th parallel with the northern half coming
under Soviet-sponsored Communist domination.
The City of Life, Hong Kong
The Southern Islands of Thailand
Thailand Holidays: Thailand means “the land of
the free”. It lies in the heart of Southeast Asia. It is one of the most
beautiful places in the world and one can only experience the exotic beauty of
the place when you get there. The fresh air kissing your face when you walk on
the beach, the mouth watering dishes and the rush and madness in the market is
something you will perhaps not get to see anywhere else.
India is a mystic land and has so many things that a traveler can discover. The best part about India is its rich history; the stories of Indian Kings and queens who lived and died for their kingdom is rather amusing. Even more amusing is to read about the secret lives of these kings and queens, their palaces, their summer retreats, their leisure activities, their traditions and their interest in art and architecture.
Africa, land of mystery. Actually, we
have quite a bit of knowledge stored here on the African Continent and we want
to share it with you.
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