User:Asiaticus/sandbox/McKim (propeller steamer)

Arrival Extraordinary.—Our city was surprised and pleased by the appearance, on Saturday evening last, of the steamer McKim, from San Francisco. As she came up to her berth, she was announced by the discharge of cannon and cheered by the acclamations of the thousands who crowded to the river's bank to witness the arrival of this first large steamer intended to ply upon the waters of the beautiful Sacramento. Nothing could exceed the gratification and joy of our citizens at learning that, large and deep as she was, (drawing 8 feet water) she had made the trip in seventeen running hours from San Francisco, and that she had met with only one delay, by grounding on the bar formed by the embouchure of the Ulpinos creek, a few miles above the city of Suisun.

The McKim left San Francisco at 12 M on Friday, the 26th ult. She made the passage to Benicia, against a strong ebb tide, in a little less than five hours. Owing to the diffi culty of navigating the Suisun Bay, she laid by for the night at Benicia. Leaving there early on Saturday morning, she thridded without delay the serpentine channel of the Suisun, and reached Sacramento City in twelve running hours, having laid for more than an hour on the bar spoken of above. One reason why the McKim was detained on the bar alluded to, was the fact that a large sloop was lying aground directly in the channel, and the McKim, in attempting to pass outside of her, necessarily came into shoal water. It is believed, therefore, that there is not the slightest danger of this accident occurring again, especially as it is supposed that, by relieving her of her spars and other unnecessary sea furniture, she may be so lightened as never to draw over seven feet of water. The McKim is a propeller, having an engine of two hundred horse power of the Ericsson patent. She is a staunch vessel, having been built for the coast and gulf trade on the Atlantic. She has been newly fitted up, cleaned and painted, and has sixty excellent berths. The best arrangements are made for the accommodation of her passengers, and as she has an excellent steward, we have no doubt she will soon secure the public patronage she so well deserves. Capt. Macy, and her second captain, Mr. Brenham, are highly spoken of by the passengers who came up on her trial trip; and all unite in praise of Lieut. Blair, U. S. N , who acted as pilot.

The McKim came up again in fine style on Wednesday, and left on Friday morning, crowded with passengers. Her departure was attended with all the bustle and confusion occasioned by the leaving of an Atlantic steam ship in New York or Boston. Messrs. R. Gelston & Co. at this place, and Simmons, Hutchinson & Co., at San Fran cisco, are agents for the steamer.