Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-01-05
Passengers, cargo and sundries
Total weiaht on leaving port

"Allow me now 10 remark, thai think it very likely
that the Victoria will be the largest vessel that will
be built of wood have been long of opinion, that iron
will supersede all wooden steam vessels, and have ade
some calculations the subject which may prove int
resting TO the Commissioners.
"The advantages Of iron wooden vessels may be
briefly stated 10 be-
"Superior strength with half Of the weight, con
sequeny less displacement, and greater speed with
equal power.
"GIealer safety, in consequence of being divided with
waller tight compartments by iron bulkheads
"Greater economy, as they require less repairs
"Greater capacity for passengers and goods wooden
vessel Of 80 feet BEAM is only q feet inches wide In
side while an iron vessel would be 90 feet inches
Consequently saving Two feet in The whole length Of The
vessel
"When in Liverpool you satisfy yourself whether
these statements correct.
g" think for the American trade, an iron vessel OF the
following dimensions could be made TO 60 at medium
10 miles per hour: Length 2l2 feet beam &c. depth 15
with engines Of 800 horse power Her weight, exclusive
of engines, would be about 260 tons; and wooden yes
sci OF similar dimensions would mol be got under goo ton
if even with that, aud certainly not with equal strength
Now supposing with her machinery and Goals on board
she drew feet water, her sectional would not
coed $50 feet and her power being 300 horses, is but
fair 10 suppose her speed to approximate to II knots in
smooth water. that she should average 10 knots if
she would make the passage OF 5000 miles in ~ days,
and consume only 800 tons Of Goals allowing ton per
horse The cost of this vessel complete, with her
gines and fittings would be less than the Of the hull
OF the Victoria other words the latter will cost $780,
OOO and the iron one to do the work in less time,
would cost about EDO, 600 In fact for The cost Of
vessel making 6voysges annually, you would have two
making l2.
%! nave mentioned this to you, there exists diff
fcuy but in local attraction in thus diminishing the
expense Of transatlantic steam navigation, and
quenly increasing the power and resources of this
try to an indefinite extent Their ntroduclian would
virtually the monopoly Of the trade. We
not compete with the Americans in wood; they cannot
compete with in metul and, though these specula
lions may appear visionary, am convinced, when
YOU have examined the vessels upon the stocks in
Liverpool you will agree with me in thinking, that the
time as, approaching when wooden steamers will be
the exception and iron ones The rule
81 remain, yours most respectfully,
"MACGREGOR LAIRD.
TT" P Barlow, Esq"
If Mr. Lairds opinion is correct the introduction Of
iron vessels may give impulse 10 steam navigation
1t appears tina, the principal disadvantage TO which they
liable is, that the presence of such mass OF metal
dis,urbs the polarity of the compass and lis directing
power is lcst Experiments have however, been made
with the view of discovering remedy for the aberra
tons of the magnet, and have doubt, from the in
venlion of Professor Airey that they have been
ful.-Engiish paper
NJ, latte