Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-06-14
From BlackacoOd's Magazine.


From BiGcktcOod's Mgasine.
SUPERIORITY OF STEAM NAVIGATION.
We believe no person conversant with nava
tactics will dispute that the steam vessel has il
velocity decided advantage over sailing yes
sells, under every circumstance; it must. there
fore. be admitted that she can obtain withou
diho uty any reiai,ue position, and also, that she
can maintain it in spite OF her sailing opponent
The steam vessel, depeI 1ng only OH one ele'
| n,ent, and being moved by machinery,i is not i'm
peded in her velocity by any additional weight
added 10 strengthen her constructions, or 10
render her proof against shot at a particular
distance, while shot thrown from her at this
distance would be effectual against sailing yes.
sci, which cannot be so protected, without in
jury 10 her sailing qualities. We have ascer-
tanned that steam vessels can be made proof a.
gainst shot, and that even the paddles can be
fully protected; therefore, the objection that "a
sho, in the boiler" or any other part of the ma
chinrry, would disable them,i is completely done
AWAY and they are thus rendered secure from
damage, whatever may be the force Of their op.
ponents The sailing vessel is much more de.
pendent on trim and symmetry Of constructio
than the steam vessel, in which, acting by mo-
mentum, when once put in motion Uis inertiP is
increased BY her sodity
No loneer can the British frst-rate man-of-
war be considered The monarch Of the ocean, or
the gallant admral and commandsr-in-ch ief OF
the British feet pace the quarter deck OF such
ship even 10 security from the attack Of lit
tie steam ship with only one gun! For if the
steam vessel is made efffctually proof agains;
the battery Of her opponent at the distance OF
500 yards, and cah maintain that distance, which
are facts now beyond doubt, it matters little
whether the sailing ship has one gun or one
hundred, stree they cannot produce any serious
consequences to the assailants: who, on the con-
t,ary, fire in security, red hot shot, and missiles
Of all descriptions, every one OF which must
tell on their opponents. and eventually sink, or
oblge the ship which may be called defenceless,
TO strike her colors
Much Jess has been said ting the com
parative safety Of steam vessels in stormy wea-
ther; but it is only by those who have had no
experience, hal they have been deemed unsafe.
Those who have had practice, and also every
unprecedented SEAMAN, must admit, that the SUI
perioriiy in this respect, too, is most decidedly
10 their favor Steam vessels have al all times
precisely the masts and sails which every sea
man would wish to have in storm; therefore,
they may truly be said TO be always prepared
for one. They cannot upset in squall, nor be
sent down stern foremost, by being taken aback.
a mistake, neglect, or error in judgment, which
might be fatal IN ship, would be, in steam
vessel, attended with no serious consequences.
The paddles, and various projections from their
sides, are much in their favor instead Of against
them, as generally supposed; for, by breaking
The wave before it reaches the ship, il is render
ed comparatively harmless. 1t is we'll known,
that if ship were surrounded with chevaur
de frize, she would never ship sea, because il
would always be broken before it would reach
the body Of the ship; for it is only when hea-
Wy unbroken billow rolls over the gunwale in an
entire mass, that there is any danger. The top
branches Of a common fir tree will break, and
render harmless, the heaviest wave in the Bay
of Biscay. If the steam is kept moderately APP
piled during gale Of wind, it must have the
salutary effect Of keeping the ships head or
bow in the easiest position for resisting the
waves. and prevent her falling off into the hol-
low of the sea, which is the situation Of great
est danger; therefore, besides making less lee
way, she must be actually more safe. When
steam vessel is near lee shore al the com.
mencement Of gale, she can ply directly IL
the winds eye, and, ninety times out OF hum
dred get into position Of safety at distance
from the shore, or perhaps into harbour, when
sailing vessel cannot accomplish either OF these
objects before she is oyertaken by the storm;
and the steam vessel will often make way agains,
the gale when all other vessels are Obliged TO
bear up or lie TO- We were on board a steam
ship, and made our passage from Liverpool to
the Isle Of Man, directly against the memora-
bic Storm which did so much damage to the
Breakwater, at Plymouth, on the 23d of Novem-
Der, 1924. 1t has been advanced by some, that
the machinery Of the steam engine description
is liable TO get out of order; but asithis arises