Chas P. Chouteau

Norman, Dr. N. P.
Hartford, John

1878

picture

Chas. P. Chouteau (Steamboat)
Steamboats

Natchez (Miss.)
Mississippi River

1870-1879

Light on the River - August 18, 1880. The Steamer Chas. P. Chouteau, lying at the foot of Market street, attracted considerable attention along the levee last evening by its two electric lights, which shone forth with intense brightness. The Chouteau is the first steamer at this point on the Mississippi River to substitute an electric llight for the old fashioned pine-torch illuminators, and the enterprise is one that will amply repay the owners of the boat for the expensive outlay. There were two lights on the boat, near the bow one on each side pendant upon the end of a boom about 30 feet long. The lights were surrounded by a crystal globe similar but smaller than the one used on 6th street. The experiment was made under the direction of Mr. H. Heisler who was present with a corps of assistants, managing the engine and regulating the lamps. The engine used is of 6 horsepower of the Smith & Rankin make, an upright piece of machinery and a little beauty. It requires three horsepower for each light, which is of 10,000 candle power. When the engine was first put in motion the lights were disposed to flicker, owing to the unsteady running of the engine, caused by the slipping of the band as it stretched. This difference was obviated by tightening the band, after which the light burned steadily and without difficulty. It was a fine exhibition, taken all in all, and the officers of the boat as well as the spectators generally expressed their satisfaction with the experiment.

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Herman T. Pott National Inland Waterways Library