The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-07-12


L.ssIsesuEeH, n. Y-The Herald can be had of Nj
Lewis, Rensselaer, House Subscribers leaving their a
dress VIII be served regularly.
Ma. d. LYMAN Middletown, Conn. is Agent for th
Weekly Herald
SING SING, N. Y, Messrs Stanton Co.
KINGSTON, N Y, Mr.. q. Waller.
rHR Loss OF THE CoLUMBIA-THE DANcEKoU
NAVIGATION PROM HALIFAX TO BosToN-CHANGE OF
THE PORT OF EMBARKATIoN OF THE CUNARD LINE OF
STEAMSHIPS The intelligence of the wreck of the
Columbia, and the miraculous preservation OF the
crew and passengers from death in one OF Its most
appalling forms, will effectualy open the eyes OF al
dsinterested persons, both sides OF the Atlantic
who were disposed to question the soundness and
truth ofthe opinions which we have so frequently
expressed of the selection of Boston as the destina
ton of the Cunard line of steamships Let us TURF
for moment TO consideration of the simple facts
OF the case, from which we have argued the neces
slty OF change in the route of this line ofsteamers
The force and proprety Of the argument have, In
Decd now metwith such melancholy and palpable
demonstration, that we might well be excused from
offering any additional exposition of its truth but
as all our readers may not be perfectly familiar with
the facts, we will state them as concisely as pos
sibe.
The nav CATION from Halifax to Boston-a dis
lance of about four hundred and fifty miles-can-
not be exceeded in difficulty and danger, by any
portion of the Atlantic coast. Continual fogs--tre-
mendous conference.-the infinite number of
shoals and sunken rocks-and an iron bound
coast, are amongst the dangers which threaten
the destruction OF every vessel navigating those wa
ters Besides all this, it is TO be borne in mind that
the rise and fall of the tide is great forty f
" feet, that if vessel falls upon ledge, her de-
struction is altogether inevitable Then after ha-
wing successfully encountered all the perils OF such
hazardous coast, the entrances TO the harbor of
Boston present new and equally formidable dangers.
Even with the most favorable wind, it is too well
known TO require mention, that the entrance is ef-
fected only with the greatest difficulty, and the vi
gant exercise of ali the skill of experienced pilot
age. From the entrance of the harbor to the very
DOCKS the dangers and difficulties OF the navigation
constantly present. 1t is only when safely
moored at East Boston, that pilots and captains OF
the steamships congratulate themselves on safe
deliverance from the perils Of those four hundred
and fifty miles OF rock ledge, shoal, fog and narrow
intricate channels.
Contrast for moment all this with the route from
Halifax to New York. Vessels taking that course
are obliged 10 take sufficient ofing, and are COM
and logs. They have not as in sailing to Boston, TO
mug treacherous shore, keeping inside of Cape |
Cod, and doubling Cape Ann very closely; on the |
contrary, they are out at .sea, exposed only TO the
ordinary dangers of the deep, and as soon as they
reach Sandy Hook, obtain easy entrance into one |
of the safest and most commodious harbors in the
world.
How, then, has it happened that Boston-a fourth
orf cifx, NJ tbe
Gated for purposes of commerce-with harbor SO
difficult of access-why is it that it selected as
the ultimate destination OF the Cunard line of steam
ships? There surely must have been many clear
and forcible TOR subeciing these noble yes
sells 10 all the tremendous peris which we have so
briefly described, and amid which the Columbia
has pershed-whet were the reasons1 They were
simply these Mr.. Cunard, with natural good udg-
ment and sagacity, had almost determined on Sc
lectng New York as the port at which the steamers
should arrive here; but the merchants of Boston,
with characteristic regard for the ''maip chance"
got hold of him, land by proposing build dock for
him, at their own expense, and by offering other
substantial arguments, succeeded in directing his
attention TO their port and he accordingly selected
it. This is the whole matter in nutshell. But we
thlnk the lesson now taught the Company, whose
property is invested in the steamships, will induce
them to give the act Of their agent some more disn
terested consideration.
The French Government have acted with more
wisdom, and discovered more comprehensive
judgment, in their arrangements for the manage
ment OF their transatlantic steamships They care
fully examined the advantages and disadvantages
of the various American ports, and, with just and
prudent regard for the safety of their vessels and the
infinitely more valuable lives of those embarking
in them, they selected New York as the most ap-
rroprate destination. Connected with this subject,
we may remark, that one Of Mr. Benefits objects
in visiting Europe, is 10 carry out and complete ex-
tenslve arrangements for the regular communica-
ton of the latest intelligence from the continent
and Great Britain, by means of these steamships
good deal of prejudice has been created against
taking passage IN the Cunard line, in consequence
OF the serious dangers TO which the steamships are
exposed in the passage from Halifax to Boston. The
effect OF the late terrible catastrophe will add great
ly TO this feeling of alarm. We trust, however, for
the sake Of the Company, that this event, added to
the previous knowledge of the pers of the passage
will not altogether deter those travelling to and
IRON Europe from subjecting themselves dangers,
10 guard against which, II is proper to state, the
most effective measures have been taken in the Sc
lection of able and experienced commanders and
skiliul pilots. The dangers, however, exist, and
human skill, energy, fortitude and experience, are
not always omnipotent, as the fate OF the Columbia
sufficiently informs us.
Abuse OF THE CRoToN WHARF.-THE shameful
way in which the Croton water is wasted all over
the city, is of those fragrant abuses, which de-
mand, but won't get, the notice of the Corporation.
Idle boys are permitted to amuse themselves in all
sorts OF hydraulic experiments at every hydrant in
the streets, and very cupabe waste OF the water
is made by many of those who have hydrants for
their own use and the way in which the sidewalks