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THE ARMENIA" Hudson River steamboat 1848-1886. In case
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THE ARMENIA" Hudson River steamboat 1848-1886. In case
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This model of the Hudson River Steamboat ARMENIA is made with fine materials and detail. The thin glass case is framed in finished wood. The model is 24" long x 6" wide x 7" high. The case is 28"L x 8 3/4" w x 11" h., No reserve. Because of the delicacy of the models and their cases, we'd prefer buyers to arrange their own reps to arrange pick up f.o.b. Las Vegas, NV. I've now shipped one delicate model in case by UPS with great nervousness, but it arrived safely. We vouch for it's good condition/perfection to the doorway. Advice from knowledgable people on shipping is welcome. The Armenia: 1848-1886Although not the largest steamboat on the Hudson, the ARMENIA was for many years the most popular and widely known. She was a familiar sight to all the river – folk and very readily recognized by her unusually large paddleboxes, tall gallows frame and proportionately large walking beam. Originally built for the New York Albany run by the Day Line. She remained on this route for more than 35 years, and in 1860 made the trip from Albany to New York in 7 hours and 44 minutes, including 11 landings – a distance of 150 miles.The Day Line was no named because its boats made the trip between the two cities in daylight, affording the passengers a view of the beautiful Hudson – “the Rhine of America.” The only deviation from the ARMENIA’s regular run was in 1853 when she made daily trips between New York and Keyport. One of the most notable innovations to attract passengers was a steam calliope of 34 whistles, installed on the ARMENIA in 1858. The keyboard of this steam organ was located at the after bulkhead of the engine space on the promenade deck. This instrument was operated by Professor Van de Wyde, a skillful player, and its range was about equal to the chimes of a church belfry. The reverberating echoes in the Highlands must have sounded somewhat weird and wonderful, for the folks on shore dropped their work and rushed to the riverbank for a view. However, when Commodore Van Santvoort bought the ARMENIA in 1864 he had the calliope removed. The great quantities of steam consumed by the organ and the resultant strain on the boiler (and the firemen!) made its continued use impractical. The Commodore’s venture into passenger carrying business must have been remunerative for with the addition of the ARMENIA his fleet now numbered three large passenger steamboats – ALIDA, DANIEL DREW, AND ARMENIA.In the early 1850’s, racing between the ARMENIA and her opposition boat, the HENRY CLAY, was almost a daily occurrence; each strived to make landings ahead of the other, to secure the passengers. It was during such a race that the HENRY CLAY took fire near Yonkers – a catastrophe in which 60 lives were lost. The fire was reportedly caused by overheated boilers setting fire to the adjacent woodwork, and the vessel became a total loss. In this disaster the renowned horticulturist, Jackson Downing of Newburgh, lost his life. Another casualty was Nathaniel Hawthorne’s sister. This catastrophe caused such a wave of indignation that Congress speedily enacted the Steamboat Inspection Bill to put an end to Steamboat Racing in United States waters.The ARMENIA in time was surpassed by many finer and faster boats, and was finally succeeded in 1864 by the CHAUNCEY VIBBARD. She continued to be used as a spare boat by the Day Line, and during the season of 1878 ran out of Rondout for several weeks taking the place of the MARY POWELL which had broken her starboard paddlewheel shaft. During her long and successful career the ARMENIA underwent but one major alteration. This occurred in 1852 when she was lengthened to 212 feet; two boilers and stacks replaced her singular stack and the typical guard posts and hog-framing was added.In 1883 the ARMENIA was sold to interests in Washington, D.C. and ran a few years as an excursion boat on the Potomac River. On January 5 th , 1886, while in winter quarters at her Alexandria pier, she caught fire and became ...
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