Page 31
History of Orange County
Town of Newburgh
Page 31
We are of opinion that business of all kinds can be done in Newburgh, on better terms for the country, than at any former period. The substitution of tow-boats, in place of the more expensive transportation by steamers, ensures such a result. There can be no question, that articles generally sent to the city, can be delivered at less cost, and in better order by a tow boat, than by railroad. Neat, clean, and unmussed articles command the highest price in market, and this is insured by the present mode of conveyance. In addition to these, the favorite and safe steamer Highlander, that never lost a trip by an accident in 10 years, is now plying between the village and the city, engaged in the transportation of country produce—while the Thomas Powell, the fastest boat ever propelled by steam, in this or any other country, runs daily to the city, transporting passengers only. On Thursday, the 16th of July, 1846, she made the trip from New York to Newburgh in 2 hours 40 minutes, running time. If this is not in the vicinity of extra good time, we are no judges of velocity in such matters. Too much cannot be said, in just praise and admiration of this steamer, in all her appointments, nor in commendation of her enterprising and accommodating proprietor, in getting her up more for the benefit of Newburgh, and its vicinity, than for personal profit. We hope she may pay well, nay, abundantly compensate her owner, and if not, we know he will receive the gratitude and benedictions of his fellow citizens—themselves a rich reward to the heart and feelings of an aged man, who, at his time of life, estimates benefactions conferred more highly than those received.
In addition to these facilities to do a profitable and convenient transportation business of all kinds as well for the employers as owners, Newburgh furnishes the towboat lines of B. Carpenter & Co., Crawford, Mailer, &Co., and the steam propeller of Wardrop, Smith, & Co. These are old and strong lines, and the men who deal with them in a business way, may go home and sleep soundly—satisfied they will receive the best returns the market affords, and their money when called for. We question, from a long acquaintence with the owners of these lines of transportation, and from public opinion of many years formation of their character as business men throughout a wide spread community, if any one location on the river, from New York to Albany, can offer a surer guarantee to freighters for care and attention. Men may be very safe in a pecuniary point of view, and good salesmen, yet in the freighting and transportation business, as in every other calling and profession in life, which brings them in contact with every temperament and description of character, there must be kind feelings, even temper, that slowness to anger which bears long with contradiction, gentlemanly demeanor, and personal attention to customers that make all things pleasant and agreeable, to insure success.— We have never heard a suggestion in this community of a want of these requisite qualifications on the part of the conductors of these lines. These boats make two or three trips each to the city of New York weekly, all running on different day, so that produce need not wait an hour scarcely on the docks of the village, before it is on its way to the head of the market.
Nor indeed, are these all, for there is in addition, the steamer American Eagle, plying twice a week between the Village and Albany, and the two sloops of Wm. A. Bullus, which sail also to Albany, on no fixed days, touching at all the intermediate landings. The citizens of Newburgh are really common carriers, and their exertions and enterprise co-extensive with the navigable portion of the River. These facilities, with those previously mentioned, are nearly all a reasonable community ought to exact or expect from our locality of transportation, but if they expect greater thing, they may, as the proverb says, “go farther and find worse.”