THE LOG OF THE SAVANNAH 623 



The experiment of crossing the oceau in a steam vessel was deemed 

 so hazardous that no crew could be shipped in New York Harbor, 

 where it was predicted that the vessel would be a "steam coffin;" and 

 sailing-master Rogers was compelled to visit New London, Connecticut, 

 where he was only able to obtain a crew from the fact that both the 

 captain and sailing-master were well known to many seafaring men of 

 that locality, who hid confidence in their ability to command and navi- 

 gate the ship successfully. 



MOSES ROGERS, CAPTAIN OF THE SAVANNAH. 



Moses Rogers was born in New Loudon, Connecticut, in 1779. From 

 his early boyhood he showed great fondness for boats and ships, and 

 had learned to manage a sailboat at a very early age. When he was 

 twenty-one years old he commanded a sailing packet on Loug Island 

 Sound, and five years later he became interested in the experiments of 

 Fulton and Stevens, who were each then building steamboats. It has 

 been frequently stated that he commanded the Clermont, the first suc- 

 cessful steamboat on the Hudson, but the many published accounts of 

 the early voyages of that celebrated steamboat contain no mention of 

 his name. But during the eventful career of this boat she was com- 

 manded by several captains, and it is not improbable that Mr. Fulton 

 availed himself of his services, at least for a time. 



In 1808 he com manded the Phoenix, built by John Stevens and his 

 son, Robert Livingston Stevens, when it made the memorable voyage 

 from Sandy Hook to Cape May, ou its way from New York to Philadel- 

 phia. This was the first time that a steam vessel ever braved the 

 dangers of the ocean. 



In the handsome oil painting of the Phoenix, which is now preserved 

 in the private gallery of the late Edwin A. Stevens, a brother of Rob- 

 ert L. Stevens, at Castle Point, Hobokeu, New Jersey, the name Moses 

 Rogers is painted in bold letters across the paddle box. This custom 

 was not uncommon in the early days when the name of the captain was 

 as well known as that of the craft he commanded. 



In 1813 Moses Rogers commanded the Eagle on her first voyage be- 

 tween New York and Baltimore, and he was associated with the owners 

 of the New Jersey in 1816, when regular biweekly voyages were inau- 

 gurated between those ports. 



Captain Rogers was a man whose opiuions were sought by steamboat 

 owners and constructors. He was highly respected by the traveling 

 public, whose entire confidence he possessed. The executive ability 

 which he displayed while in command of his vessels made him greatly 

 admired by those who trusted their lives in his bauds. The tact which 

 he exhibited while in foreign ports made him popular with all classes. 



During his cruise in foreign waters he was the recipient of many val- 

 uable presents, The King of Sweden gave him u a stone and muller." 



