AMERICAN STEAMBOAT RACING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 2430, 6 January 1876, Page 3

AMERICAN STEAMBOAT RACING.

Mark Twain.

In the flush times of steam-boating, a net , between two notorious fleet steam-boats was an erent of Tait importance. The date was) let for it several weeks in advance, and from tbat time forward the whole Hissiasipt rattey wm in a state of eonsamtng exateneoc* Politice and the weather were dropped, afid people talked only of the ooming raoa, Ab the time approaohed, the two •teamen 11 stripped " and got ready. Every enoumbranoe that added weight, or exposed a resisting surface to wind or water was removed, if the boas could possibly do without it. The "stars "and sometimes even < their supporting derricks, were sent ashore, / and no means left to set the boat afloat, in case she got aground. When the Eclipse and the A. L. ShoiweU ran their great raoe two-and-twenty years ago, it is said that pains were taken to scrape th* gilding of the fanciful device which hong between the Eclipse's chimneys, and that for one trip the captain left off bis kid gloves and had his head shaved*

Bat I always doubted these thing*. If too boat wu known to make her best speed when drawing fire and a half feet forward and flr* ■ feet aft, the mi carefully loaded to that exact figure— »he wouldn't enter a dees of homoeopathic pill* on her manifest after thai* Hardly any passengers were taken, Tunum they not only add weight, hot the? never will • "trim boat" They always ran to tb* eider when there is anything to tea, whertM *> conscientious and experienced steamboat man would stick to the centre of the boat, and part hit hair in the middle with a spiris4eveL