The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-05-03

The New Steam Packets Building mt Boston.
The establishment Of steam packet ships, now in
progress Of construction at Boston, to ply between
New York aud Liverpool, will differ, in several i'm
portant particulars, from any application hitherto
made Of steam power to navigation. The first ves-
sci, ship of 1000 tons. was described by us cor
rectly, so far her nautical arrangements are con-
cerned, on former day. She will make her first
voyage in July next.
The machinery of this vessel will consist OF a
submerged wheel at the stern, constructed on Eric.
sons principle, impelled by engines placed within
the vessel near the stern, and under the freight
deck. Mechanism is provided bywhich, in the
space Of five minutes, at the bidding Of the COM
mander, the shaft may be drawn out Of the nave
Of the WHEEL and the wheel itself raised out OF the
water and fixed at the stern in the po-
stion usually occupied by the steamboat.
The practical objections against submerged propel-
lers have been-lst. That they obstruct the pro-
gress Of the vessel when she under sail, with the
operation Of the machinery suspended; and 2ad.
That when broken or deranged, they are inacces-
s:be, and cannot be repaired Neither Of these
objections will be applicable to the machinery now
proposed. The action Of this propeller may be used
in Gains, or with adverse winds, without sails, or
may Cooperate Win sails or, Hnaiiy, IL may PC
stopped, with favorable winds, and BY eievatiug the
wheel, the vessel is suddenly transformed into q
sailing shp. Il is calculated that the average rate
OF these ships will be nine statute miles an hour
being about twenty per cent less than that OF the
present steamers. Her westward trip will not ex-
coed twenty, and her eastward fifteen days. The
nominal power Of the machinery OF the present
steamships is four hundred horses that Of the new
steam packet ship will be only one hundred and Sc
venty Her machinery will be worked Tor about
one-third OF the entire time Of her voyage, the
sails doing the remainder. The space occupied by
the machinery and fuel is 30 limited, and III such
position-in the run OF the vessel, and under the
freight deck-that il will produce no sensible dimi-
mutton Of her capacity for cargo.
As there will be no smoke tunnel, no shaking or
pendulous motion, nor any visible machinery, these
vessels will offer passengers all the comforts of the
packet ships. The main deck, clear Of machinery
from stem 10 stern, will be occupied by passenger
cabins, saloons, state rooms, library, NC. The
second deck, also clear OF machinery from stem
to stern, will be appropri ated TO the cargo. The
space between this and the main deck will inter-
vene bet ~een the cabin accommodations and the
machinery, 30 as to intercept all heat, noise and
vibration The fuel being hard coal, will be coa
sumed without producing smoke, and funnel
with telescope joint, will be provided to carry of
the gases of combustion.
This machinery may be applied without difficulty
to any of the packet ships that this great
improvement will not be attended with the desruc-
tion Of capital that usually follows great advances
in the arts