“Alarm on the Ohio”
Date
1-18-1812
Newspaper
Savannah Republican
Page and Column
Page 3, Column 1 and 2.
Newspaper Location
Savannah, Georgia
Serial Number
862
Abstract
Account of the Steam boat New Orleans on the Ohio river. Good account as to the effect of the new technology on people who were not expecting its arrival.
Transcript
ALARM ON THE OHIO.--About three weeks ago, the inhabitants of the coast of Ohio, both above and below the falls, were alarmed by a confused, lumbering noise descending the river, resembling the roar of a rushing torrent. Those living on the Bottom, supposed that the river had been raised by a sudden swell, abandoned their dwellings and fled to the hills; expecting the morning sun would rise upon their [unreadable]. As the noise approached it became more terrific; somewhat similar to the deep peals of distant thunder. But the sublimest part of the scene was yet to come. Of (ureadable) sudden the river seemed to blaze. Some phenomenon, which vomited fire and smoke with tremendous noise, darted along the surface of the stream with the rapidity of a meteor. The apprehension of damage to the property was now lost in a more important concern. They imagined the end of the world was at hand; for they saws the triumph of that element which is to consume all things most powerfully displayed which it was able to vanish natural antipathies, and literally to "set a river on fire." These good people were not a little relieved next morning, on hearing that the cause of all their consternation, and dismay, was no other than a Steam-Boat, on its way down the river.
Recommended Citation
"“Alarm on the Ohio”" (1812). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 845.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/845
