Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1841-06-22
GREAT WESTERN.
New York, June l4th, 1S4l.

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GREAT WESTERN.
New York. June l4th. 1S4l.
Genilemen-On my recent arrival, Mr. Buchanan
the British Consul placed in my hands a condensed
report of inquiry which had been made at his in
stance, into particulars refining 10 the President
steamship. Some of the opinions given IN the course
of the inquiry ] differ from most decidedly, and
those opinions are calculated 10 leave q strong
though very erroneous impression on the minds Of
the public, il allowed to pass without notice from
some one placed in a similar position who.
from many years experience in all descriptions Of
vessels, has had opportunity Of forming good ludg-
meni on the subject The opinions to which al
iude are these of Captain Cole. Of the packet ship
Orphcus. who 10y the repori) said. THAT the Prcs
dent must have been shipping heavily and fast;
that probably these large bodies of water worked
through into the engine loom fire rooms. and
hngnished The fires. IN which case the steamer would
have been comparatively helpless" That the Pre-
sdent was shipping water there is no doubt but !
do feel perfect conviction she could ship sui.
ficieni 10 sxiingush the fires The fire places are
Two and half feet above the platform of the fire.
rooms, and the platform two and a quarter feet
above the foors in this ship (he Presidents fire.
| places. should think, stand higher)
The openings to the engines and fire. rooms are
small 10 render u quite poss BILE that a body OF
water sufficient TO overflow the re-places could find
its way below. even with common precauIion; but
with tae necessary precauiion. in such weather. OF
batienng hoiches down, &c. the suppositon Of such
a result Is perfectly ehimerical. Captain Cole,
opinion appears by this report. have been coin
ciJed in by other gentlemen. certainly good saiors
but with every respect for Captain e. and those
gentlemen, | do not hesitate 10 say they are no
competent judges an this steam ship case.
fully and entirely believe n good steamship the
safest vessel ihoi ever vent TO and there ar,
numerous instances where they have been placed
ltFaa .s.L
| we'll managed could escape. a case in point oc
Cured at Barbados, during the last tremendou,
hurricane in the Westlndies Her Maestys steam
er Sptfrc, and many other vessels were lying in
Carlisle bay; the vessels all lost or stranded
the Sptire slipped her cables ani put to sea- ia
The lace ut the hurricane. Her decks were swept
her boats and paddle boxes washed away notwiih
standing which heI fires were moi exiinguishtd, bu
she weaIhered IL all by means Of her steam power
which alone saved her, Tho commander Lieut.
Kennedy X. y. described the the most ter
rifle he ever witnessed during more than forty years
experience.
IL the engines damaged still steam ships mr.,
good md safe vessels with their sails. | wa
compelled TO stop this ships engines a moment il
: n heavy gale Of Wind and very heavy sea inst OF
soundings TO the eastward Of Newfoundland Crane
Bank aud Immediately got after sail on her. and IL
two hOurs-the time were compelled 10 stop
she lay To beautifully. easily and dry as AM
snip was ever on board OF IN n similar situation
When encOunering ice. steam ship has n yer,
decided advantage over sailing ship. I do no
know the exact proportion OF losses between saiin
aud steam ships, but | um il is very much il
favor of steam. am not called upon, nor do fee
justified ia offering opInion, what may hay
happened 10 the President which ship IL is vet Dos
; sible is above water--probably "A log. knockin
about at the mercy of The winds and waves. Capl
Roberts Is a sailor with energy of character ans
has -.
nducemont for hopes that the PresideRt will yet b.
, heard Of
am, gentlemen, your obedient ssrv't.
JAMES HOSKEN