Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-08-08
THE BRITISH QUEEN.

In the New ORR Courier ana Enquirer " z huu
the following account OF this magnificent steamer.
and her FIRST VOYAGE across the Atlantic. Ii was
written by Col. WsBs. senior editor OF the Courier,
| who returned home in the Queen:
The Qaeen sailed from London on the evening Of
| the 10Th, but owing TO the state OF the tide, did not
| pass the Bar at the mouth OF the Thames, until the
lith, and reached Portsmouth about 5 A. Nj. on
the I2th. We left Portsmouth at hslEpast IL NJ,
blowing a fresh gale from the westward and with
the exception OF light northernly airs on Friday and
| Saturdas-so light, that the velocity Of the ship
made il at times a head wind-wo have not had our
( sails set twenty-four hours during the passage
The wind has been uniformly dead ahead blow
ing vsty fresh at ell times, aud causing a very heavy
head sea. At intervals We have had fresh summer
gales which, while they have retarded our ARRIVAL,
have fully demonstrated the important fact, that
in The same ratio you increase the sac OF a stca'
mer will you increase her safety and comfort.
The Queen is indeed a noble ship-one, which.
from her gigantic proportions, may not be compared
with any other merchant vessel--and capable OF
being made the most comfortable passage ship that
eve, tloated. In her construction and outfit, no ex-
pense has been spared to render her as perfect as
practicable; and although her exact cost has not
vet been ascertained, it is estimated at about $3TS,.
600. which includes her furniture and fixtures OF
every kind. Her grand saloon is a large and mag
niicent apartment; and the berths connected with
IL. are certainly very superior in comfort and coaye-
nience to any others ever constructed but then,
there are only tieentyfoar In number, although
some of those in the forward cabin are iolersbly
pleasant, | can bear witness that the fifty or sixty
berths in the lower saloon. including all aJt except
those ia the grand saloon, are actually nntahdoafa'
be. and should not, under any circumstances. be
taken by persons having the slightes, regard either
for their health OF comfort. | am very sorry to be
obliged to say aught against the accommodstions OF
this noble ship but the truth Is, her sleeping nc
COMMUNICATIONS are so miserably arranged, that size
can only accommodate a smnll number Of persons
comfortably, and she cannot iap To be a most un'
profitable concern, unless those who hsvo controls i
! her promptly yield their theoretical opinions 10 the
i practical demonstrations OF her faults IA hitting up,
which this voyage has so clearly made.
The Great Western made her first voyage to N.
York with her sleeping apartments somewhat simi-
larly arranged that is she bad a lower saloon,
which, like that on BIO ird The Queen, was very pro
perlv denominated " the catacombsi' but abe has
sigce had a poop deck placed upon her hlied with
state rooms, which renders her decidedly the most
comfoi table passage ship which England has yet
sent into our wat.ts. But the greater size OF the
Queen, her spacious saloon, and the free ventilation
of which she is capable-certainly placed 1t within
the nower of her owners, TO make her as superior
in comfort as she is in size and splendour, TO all
other steam vessels. To effect This, it is only ne
cessary 10 construct a poop deck Tor her companion
way aft, with a line ofstatc rooms on each side, ana
a promenade both above and below, while, until tins
alteration is made, she can only accommodate wiih
comfort, about 35 or 40 passengers In her after Gu
bin.
With the exception OF her cabin arrangements
there can exist no cause of complaint Against the
Queen, when we take into consideration that this
ia her first Tip. Her stores were all Of the first
ouality-her wines excellent and in abundance
and although tho stewards department IS not What
il should be, there can be no doubt but all the neon
yeniences which were incidental to a first voyage
ofsuch a ship, will now disappear, and the internal
police be promptly perfected.
OF Capt. ROBERTS | may with the greatest safe
ty and justice. speak in the highest terms OF com,
mendation. He is intelligent, genilemanly, and
aaable aud possesses the rare tact OF rendering
himself agreeable 10 bis passengers without in any
way eudapgering his position as master OF the snip.
This is a virtue not always understood, and tie
want of which is Justly considered a total .disqunh
6cstion for the command of packet. capt. Ro-
pERTs is also fortunate in his officers, who like him
are attached 10 the British Navy, gcntlerhanly IN
their derorireht, and thoroughly conSersant with
their duties.
The British Queen ia 1868 tons burthen builders
measurement, and upwards of2000 tons by custom
house measurement. Her models purely hme's-
can. and with a wind-although we have had no
onportunity of icsting-cannot fail TO make unusu'
| hliN lhIpAO iflDHh ttV NAo
bouyanl than anticipaied-ihat is her cargo, coal,
provisions, passengers, &c. &c. did not sink her IN
the water az much IA was anticipated and IN con-
sequence, since the consumption OF some seven nun
bred tons of coal, water, and provisions, her pad
die wheels have not taken sufficient hold OF the wa
ter to propel her at a rate equivalent to The power
of engines. But this will be remedied by taking
in a full cargo of several bundled tons oiiron ballas,
in New York previous to her sailing on the first OF
August in Company with the Grsat Western. NO
effort will be spared to get her of on that day, and
all England are on the qut vice TO ascertain when
of the magnificent floating palaces, will make the
quickest trip home. Large odds are offered on lie
Queen.
The Managing Director Of the Company, Mr..
LAIRD, who drafted her model and superintended
her construction, also comes passenger IN the queen
with a view to examine her working, and TO note
what alteration, or Improvements may be made IN
accommodations Immediately on his return, the
President. OF 2400 tons will be launched and l
have no doubt but the experienee which will shortly
be acquired IN the Queen, will enable her owners
10 make her altogether the most eommodious ana
agreeable passage ship ever known. One thing IS
certain /. the company are prepared 10 expend any
amount of money which may be required TO ronder
their vessels perfect in all respects, and with com
pe,ent commanders and experienced Stewards
there can be no doubt of their success.
How TO TELL A DKuSgEN MAs.-lf you wish
to ascertain whether a man ia really in liquor, put
the word "municipaiiiy," in his mouth. II he can
shell that out-pronounce II plain and disfinct-he
is sober enough to deliver a temperance lecture
take our word for it. The words +" National Intel
ligencer' are even hard to get over, and may be 81
ven as a test to any one where the least suspicioni Is
entertained that he is g how come you So"
Some fifteen years since, there lived in o pleas
ant down east" ,ilissc a worthy minister oil the
Presbyterian persuasion, DIR. H. The Doctor
had a hard osse OF a son, a wild barum searum dog
as ever lived, named David. David was a good
hearted fellow, fond of stories and Santa Cruz rum
sings. and seldom came home at night without De-
traying that he had rubbed hard against every ta'-
ern in the village. Frequent we're the admon''IohS
and excellent the advice his worthy father gave Da-
y;d. and one night, after a lecture rather more Sc
- LA corrrnnn- the xnunQ scane.gIace talthluly