Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-07-14
From the Courier Il Enquirer.
CAPT. STOCKTONS STEAMERS.

Capt X. f. Stockton, with his char
Bcterlsic enterprise, has started n new
project, in connection with the g,eat
woEk Of transportation. He has had
built in this city, four Iron Boats of about
tro hundred and eighty Tons bmfhen, to
20 by steam upon the E,1icson propeller
principle. The boats are, however, rig
ged schooner fashion, so as 10 avail them.
selves of the less costly power of propul
sion, whenever the wind shnl come in
aid Of this old fashioned method Of getting
along. Two of these boats, the Biack
Diamond and the Vulcdn left the wharf
on the North River, opposite the Phenx
works, last Friday, at ~ o'clock. Their
appearance excited great attention. II
fell TO my lot, somewhat accidentally ;
to be one Of the party on board. The
Black Diamond, on board which was
Captain Stockton, Capt. Erricson being
IN charge Of the Nulcan,) put off, first !;
and while the steam was being got up
in the latter, a circuit was made by the
Black Diamond up the North River,
when returning, the two boats loined
company, and amidst the greeting of the
bells of steamboats,, which was responded
TO by the letting off Of jets of steam and
IN view OF crowds that lined the wharves;
and shipping, we nup the East River
couple ol blocks above the Fulton Ferry.
Oar speed, | estimated at the rate of a.
bout SIX miles the hour, only about one.
half'ot the propelers (only one.hslf being
submerged,) operating. On our return
we ran under the stern Of the ship of the
line North Carolina whose ports were
filled with the crew aud on whose quar-
ter-deck were the officers and the band
Of music, the latter playing "Hail Colum-
bia" az greeting to this new develope-
ment of genius and of enterprise.
The impression made upon the thou
sands who witnessed the movement of
these (as TO size and color brigs-of ,car
was one Of force and wonder. They saw
the boats apshing the foam up their prows
with their sails brailed To The masts, and
The fig and the jack flying, but could
see no cause for this onward and steady
motion, until sight of the stern was had,
when The popeIlers being half out of
water gave signs that they were The in.
sllumrnts of the power, and 10 them be-
lonaed the agency by which this onward
motion was gwen and the water thrown |
lat" loam, testified that no ordinary pow
et was busy with it,
Passing round the North Carolina, n
bonl was sent of which took a few of us
to ihc shore, when these boats continued
onto Brunswick, en- roRie 10 Philadelphia.
The whole ol the machinery is at the II
stern, and occupies not much more space
than would an ordinary dining table 49,
IL Is as simple as beautiful, and as cffi-
rieut Ss n Is barmonious. There was
nni the slightest jar felt. In the bow of
the b"ai j. the cabin It il quite home
fnr geuIlrnnn. Wpiitm ~ parro would /
srcm 10 have been studied oui io pe,(ec. n
itog. All the rest of The buni is for stow
age II
The advantages that struck me. ns pe-
Guitar to this con,rivance were the buoy
nncy of the boat ns durability and
strength the celebrity with wh,ch coals
aud produce. and merchandise. &c may
be conveyed H. peculiar adaptation to
canal duty and fs adaptation also, tcl