Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1827-06-22

of Others, show 6y OsUn aooyks that we are what
we profess to be, the supporters Of liberal and
lghtened system of truth.
Wilbraham, March OF, 1897.
from Black,Oood's Magazine
Sopericriy Of Steam Navigation.-We believe
no person conversant with naval tactics will dispute,
that the steam vessel has in velocity decided ad-
vantage over sailing vessels, under every circum-
stance it must, therefore, be admitted that she can
obtain without difficulty any relative position, and
also, that she can maintain it in spite Of her sailing
opponent The steam vessel, depending only on one
element, and being moved by machnery,is not i'm
peded in her velocity by any additional weight ad
ded to strengthen her constructions or to render her
proof against shot at particular distance, while
shot thrown from her at this distance be effectual
against sailing vessel, which cannot be so protect
ed, without injury to her sailing qualities. We
have asCertaned that steam vessels can be made
proof against shot, and that even the paddle can be
fully protected therefore, the objection that "a shot
in the boier'' any other part Of the machinery,
would disable them, is completely done away, and
they are thus rendered secure from damage, what
ever may be the force of their opponents. The
sailing vessel is much more dependent on trim and
symetry than the steam vessel, in which, acting by
momentum, when once put in motion us i71erti8 is
increased by her soidity,
No longer can the British first rate an-ofwar
be considered the monarch of the ocean, or the gal
liant admiral and commander-in-c Of the British
fleet pace the quarter deck of such a ship even in
security from the attack Of little steam ship with
only one gun For if the steam vessel is made eff
fecually proof against the battery of her opponent
at the distance of 500 yards and can maintain that
matters little whether the sailing ship has one gun
or one hundred since they cannot produce any seri
Gus consequences to the assailants /: who, on the
contrary fire security, red hot shot, and missiles
of all descriptions every of which must tell on
their opponents, and evidently sink, or oblige the
ship which my be called defenceless, to strike her
colours.
Much has been said respecting the comparative
safety Of steam vessels in stormy weather but this
is only by those who have had not experienced, that
they have been deemed unsafe. Those who have
practice, and also every unprejudced seaman, must
admit that the superiority in this respect, too, is
most decidedly in their favour. Steam vessels have
at all times precisely the masts and sails which
every seaman would wish to have in storm there
fore, they may truly be said to be always prepared
for one. They cannot upset in squall, nor be sen
down stern foremost, by being taken aback. A mis-
T take, neglect, or error in Judgment, which Nigh
be fatal in ship, would be, in steam vessel. at
{ tended with no serious consequences The paddles
and various projections from the sides, are much il
their favour, instead of against them, as general
supposed for by breaking the wave before 1t reach
es the ship, it is rendered comparatively harmless
1t is we'll KNOWN that if ship ere surrounded wit
y cheuaur de frige, she would never ship sea, be
cause it would always be broken beoreit would reac
the body of the ship; for it only when heav
l. anbyoken bow rolls over the gunwale in an enti'
IS mass that there is, any danger. The top branche
J. of common fir tree vii! break, and render harn
s. less, the heaviest in the Bay of Bscay If tn
It steam is kept moderately applied during gale
Y, wind, it must have the salutary effect OF keep'n
h the ships head or bow in the easiest position fC
l. resisting the waves, and prevent her falling oft int
the hollow of the sea, which the situation Of grea
y eat danger therefore, besides making less lee wa,
"a she must be actually more safe. When steam We
q sci is near lea shore at the commencement OF
E. gale, she can ply directly in the winds eye ant
TX ninety times out of hundred get into position
s. safety at distance from the shore, perhaps into
s. harbour, when sailing vessel cannot accomplis
either of these objects before she is overtaken by II
IS storm ; and the steam vessel will often make wa
It. against the gale when all other vessels obliged
d, bear atp or lie to. We were on board steam shi
ht and made our passage from Liverpool to the Isle
ke Man, directly against the memorable storm wh's
did so much damage to the Breakwater at plymouth
mt on the Esd November, 1894. Ii has been advan
It, ed by some that the machinery Of the engine de
90 crpon isliabe to get out of order; but this
de SEES principally from inexperience in the practic
lat part, either of the construction or the management
ire it only shows more forcibly the necessity of o.
naval men becoming better acquainted with the su
ed ject and is another powerful reason why steam
es vgaton should be, in preference, practised and
couraged !; that the most advisable and perfect m
the thods, both Of construction and use, might be
ned tablished taught and uuderstood BY those who a