Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-11-02
U. S. SHIP PR1Nc EToN,
PhiladeInh;a Oct Of 1919


Philadelphia, Oct. 81. l84s.
Hon D Hensha,o, Secretary of the Nary.
SlR-l have the honor to inform YOU
that left the Delaware on Tuesday, tic
l7th instant, to try the Princeton at sea,
and returned to this place last night TO
.ilnlsh her equipment. The Princeton
has performed so well under all circum
stances, that too much cannot be said in
praise Of her. We arrived at Sandy
Hook on etlnesday in eli hours from
Newcastle, We went up to New York
to show ourselves, and. to give notice to
the Captain of the English Steamer,
Great Western, that designed To have
trial of speed with that vessel. On
Thursday the Western came GU of the
East River, and the trial took place, from
the Battery to the sea, in which we gain
ed most glorious triumph. in The pres
ence OF many thousands of our fellow
citizens, assembled to witness the useful
and exciting contest. The following ac-
count, which was made at the time By
two gentlemen, who came on board for
that purpose, | prefer to send you rather
ttian to trus. my own pen on the sub
fJect. You will allow me, however. to
add, that the Princeton is now admitted
to ee the fastest and most beautiful, as
she will hereafter be admitted to Be The
NEST formidable. ship alloat:
AT thlrty-eisht minutes past Q O'Clock
P. nj. while the Princeton was living in
the North River, the Great Western was
seen passing the Battery, under full
head 9! steam, blowing off strong, and
with her fore and aft sails set. the wind
blowing fresh from the westward. The
Princeton Immediately started her eng
me- gave chase. and coming up astern of
the Great Western, soon passed. with
no sails set, and the yards square. The
W estern then set her square sails, and
the, Princeton, following her example,
made sail also, and continued to widen
the gap between the two vessels. Wher
;he Prnceto had arrived at the Buoy, of
the middle below the Narrows. she was
more than two miles ahead of the Great
Western. Here the latter ship, to make
good the distance she had lost. took the
Swash Channel which is three miles
shorter than the ordinary ship channel,
which the Princeton had taken, before
she was aware Of the intention Of the
Great Western. outstanding the
greater distance she had passed over.
she :uet the Western again at the Black
Buoy. on the Outer Bar, and there pass
ed under her stern, about two lengths
distant, then hauled up on a line, paral-
lei to her. When coming alongside,
Captain Stockton wished Captain Hos
ken a pleasant passage; and the crew of
the Princeton gave the Western three
cheers. The Princeton then rapidly
passed ahead of the Western--in two
minutes crossed her bow. and then haul
ed up for the Capes of the Delaware.
From the time that the Princeton
passed Castle Garden, till she finally
left the Great Western, was one hour
and fifty-six minutes during which time,
she had beaten her three miles,
The Princeton occupied one hour and
thirtyone minutes in going from Castle
Garden to Sandy Hook Point. distance
of more than 81 miles; thus showing her
speed to have been more than IA miles
per- hour, and that against the flood tide.
and proving her to be the fastest sea 60
ing steamer in the world.
The Great Western accomplished the
distance to the Bar in considerable less
time than she had ever done before, hav
ing been we'll prepared for the occasion.
The Princeton bad her full compli-
ment of coal in her bunkers, as also the
greatest part of her water and stores,
and quantity Of coal on deck equal to
the weight of her armament.
Your obedient and faithful servant,
r. T. STOCKTON.