Mark Twain Speaking

137. Harbor Boat Christening

440 MARK TWAIN SPEAKING· 137 · Heading back toward New York, Mark Twain paused in St. Louisforfour days of dinners, luncheons, and receptions. He was the central figure at the christening ofhis waterborne namesake, the harbor boat Mark Twain. For half an hour he took the wheel of the craft, her deck and pilot house crowded with spectators. A leadsman sang out the depth in traditional riverfashion, the pilot impassively repeating the call: "Mark t-h-r-e-e," "Q-u-a-r-t-e-r t-w-a-i-n," then "M-a-r-k t-w-a-i-n," which brought a rousing cheerfrom the passengers. When he relinquished the wheel, he said, "That is the last time I will everplay the pilot." After luncheon and a speech by Mayor Wells, the countess de Rochambeau , handed a bottle of champagne by former Governor Francis, crashed it down on the deck as she said, "I christen thee, good boat, Mark Twain." Remarks Christening ofHarbor Boat Mark Twain, St. Louis,June 6,1902 First of all, no-second of all-I wish to offer my thanks for the honor done me by naming this last rose of summer of the Mississippi Valley for me, this boat which represents a perished interest, which I fortified long ago, but whose life I did not save. And, in the first place, I wish to thank the Countess de Rochambeau for the honor she has done me in presiding at this christening. I believe that it is peculiarly appropriate that I should be allowed the privilege of joining my voice with the general voice of St. Louis and Missouri in welcoming to the Mississippi Valley and this part of the continent these illustrious visitors from France. I consider itjust and right that I should be allotted this from the fact that for many years I have represented the people of the United States without special request, and without salary, as Special Ambassador to the World. We owe much to the French, and I am sure that we will always remember and shall never forget it. We are glad to welcome these visitors here, to show them the results of what was done long ago by their ancestors, and we are glad to point out the fact that St. Louis is a French city. When La Salle came down this river a century and a MARK TWAIN SPEAKING 441 quarter ago there was nothing on its banks but savages. He opened up this great river and by his simple act was gathered in this great Louisiana territory. I would have done it myself for half the money. The name ofLa Salle will last as long as the river itself-will last until commerce is dead. We have allowed the commerce of the river to die, but it was to accommodate the railroads, and we are grateful. We have here with us a man who tells me he knew this river in the early ages, Pierre Chouteau, who says that he can remember when he couldjump over it, and I believe that statement because he made it. Under no other circumstances would I. I have come across a quality of veracity here in St. Louis which is new to me. It is the development of these later ages. I must call your attention to the fact that on this boat you are quite safe. I am here with a knowledge acquired long ago with the peculiarities of these waters, which is so pleasant to the strangers, from the color it bears and from its taste, but you will have to take the testimony of others for that. Now the governor and the mayor have utilized their opportunities to advertise the World's Fair and I have taken the occasion to advertise myself, so there is nothing remaining but to again extend that welcome to our illustrious guests and to assure them that that welcome is heartfelt and sincere, and I am sure that we will spread open to them wide the doors of the whole continent. Text / Composite, based upon: "Mark Twain's Farewell," Times, June 7, 1902; "The St. Louis Harbor-Boat 'Mark Twain,'" MTS(10):423-24. these illustrious visitors / A French delegation had come over for the dedication of the grounds of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, which would open in St. Louis in 1904, a year later than expected. In the group were the marquis de Lafayette and the count and countess de Rochambeau...