Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-08-18

! THE NEW STEAMER RHoDE-IsEANs,
=, &c.--We ventured TO leave our "prison
house" and take passage from this place
to New-York on Friday morning last in
the splendid steamer Rhode-Isand-it
being her first return trip to the "big
city" We left here AT 8 min. past
a. ~. and arrived at the wharf in New
York at IL min. past 9 p. ME hours
and minutes, with n strong tide against
her more than. halfthe run. We cannot
pretend to say what sort Of a sea boai this
beautiful steamer is, or what she would
be in u heavy sea or storm, as the %ea-
ther for the most part was unusually
calnr and pleasant during the whole pas
sage-the wiad and waves occ asioning
little more commotion than is experience
ed in our own smooth river at ordinary
times. She truly "walkcd the water
like thing of life," and VIC should Judge
would be competent to do as much at any
time, if superior model and powerful
engine are the requisites most essential.
Her engine it is said is. the most efIicient
which has ever been put up in New
York, if not in the United States, being
of $50 horse power, with a sweep of II
feet in the piston, acting on water wheels;
of 25 feet diameter. She was construct
ed by Messrs. Brown s. Bell of live OAK,
locust and cedar, and is nearly GOO tons
burthen.-She measures on deck 2rr
feet: q feet 10 inches beam; 10 feet 3
inches hold. The gentIemen's cabin
which measures in length l65 feet, con-
tains with the ladies' cabin, 100 berths.
The furniture Of tho bout throughout is
well selected and tastefully arranged,
and though quite plain is both rich and
costly. On her sides is painted'the arms
of Rhode Island, which is also repre-
sented on the beautiful plain white din.
ner and tea sets. Her figure head is a
bust of the Indian King Philip, Meta
comct.) Thus much for the boat. Her
captain, Thayer, perfectly understands
his. business, and is well worthy to COM
mand boat Of this description. We
had heretofore been led to believe that
a majority Of those who cross the Sound
either on business or pleasure, would
prefer going through by day light, but
our opinion has changed in regard to-
that-we find that but very small por-
ton of the business community in par
ticular prefer taking ,chole day-(only
think Of taking a rhols day less than
twenty years ago. when they can leave
after business hours in Boston or Prov
idence, and arrive in ample time TO at
tcrdto their business in New-Yo York the
next morning, and be ready to- return if
they choose in the regular boat in the
afternoon. Those who are travelling
for pleasure we are likewise satisfied
would much rather arrive in New York
in the morning than in the evening, on
account OF the trouble and inconve nie nee
they are ohon exposed to in looking af-
ter their baggage and obtaining lodgings.
TIE small number ofpassengers (not
exceeding eighty on board the Rhede
Island, induced us to enquire as,o> the
expediency Of running day boat, and
we we'e informed that the day boat was
constantly money losing g-concern-but
that the Company continued to'run one
more for'the purpose Of gratifying the
wishes Of the mhoie co,nmunity-afford-
ing thereby overy one an opportunity Of
going as they prefevred-than with the
expectation Of making il profitable busi-
moss. This disposition to accommodate
the public we think is worthy ofall praise.
But"the big city" The view of New
York Of pleasant evening from the
juaction Of the two rivers rs you approach
The city is surprisingly bcautiful-lit upI
withga on every side, the countless.
rows Of lamps present to the gazo
Of the stranger magnificent aud almost
enchanting spectacle. lis, however,