Extra Credit Questions

[Eva Elisabeth]

Kudos, Roger, this is correct! (I'm sure without my misinformation y'all would long have had it...sorry again!)

When the Lincolns boarded on September 20, the ship was brand new:

1848 Laid down as ODDFELLOW, launched GLOBE.
1848, Jun 21 Enrolled Detroit; ran Buffalo, NY - Chicago, IL.

"She advertised herself as 'the new and splendid steamboat Globe,' and at 251 feet in length and 1300 tons burden, was one of the largest ships on the Great Lakes. The cabin extended the whole length of the upper deck 'and is finished and fitted up in the most fashionable and comfortable style, with State and Family rooms, she has also ample accommodations for Steerage Passengers, in large and well ventilated Cabins – and for speed, comfort and safety, she is not equaled by any other boat on the Lakes.' The ship had a crew of 25, with James Sanderson as the Captain.

On Tuesday morning, September 26th, the Lincolns boarded the Globe and began their journey to Chicago. Certainly, they had bought the first class tickets as they now settled in for their Great Lakes excursion. The schedule called for the trip to take seven days. In comparison, a typical schooner or a ship under sail would make the trek in eleven days under the best of conditions. 

The Globe chugged up the Detroit River in the early morning hours of September 29th. All on board, including Lincoln, observed the steamboat Canada as it lay helpless near Fighting Island. Captain Van Allen of the Canada had run the ship aground in shallow waters as it came down the river during the night. She did not escape until October 2nd, long after the Globe had passed it. Having witnessed the plight of the unfortunate Canada, Lincoln's mind now searched for an answer to resolve the issue of such boat strandings. 'He determined that a ship should have a built-in system of bellows that could be inflated whenever necessary to float a trapped vessel free of sandbars or other obstructions' The mechanical minded Lincoln pondered this for the remainder of the voyage.

The Globe reached Milwaukee on October 4th and two days later entered Chicago's harbor. The journey had lasted ten days; three more than the scheduled seven."
http://buffaloah.com/h/fagant/linc.html

In one (sourceless) book I read that the "Globe" on that very trip allegedly ran aground in the Detroit River, causing a stop in Sandwich Town, Ontario, Canada - does anyone know a source?

In any case the vessel seemed ill-fated, scroll down to check out:
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/t/tbnms1ic/x-60196.60257/*

BTW, as you may have noticed, in 1856 the vessel was altered from steamboat to propeller. I'd guess the photo was taken afterwards?

This reminds me of a ...choreography:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0szHqIXQ2R8
...from "The Pajama Game" (1954), by one of the greatest in the field of musical, Chicago-born Bob Fosse (his most famous works probably "Chicago", "Sweet Charity", and"Cabaret", starring Lisa Minnelli).

Speaking of Chicago - Roger, you win my best wishes for the Cubs to win all-they-can this season!