The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-08-25

leading feature OF the commerce of this city is the
packet service. Its extent-the enterprise of the
owners and commanders of the packet ships
the splendor, size, and speed of the packets sur
prize every one. Instead of decreasing in num-
Der, since the organization of regular steam ship
lines, they increase they not only increase in
number, but they improve in beauty of model, in
the comfort of their cabin arrangements, and in
their size and speed and it now seems to be a
fact that the average length of passages of the
packets are twenty-five per cent shorter than be-
fore the steamers began their trips.
We were yesterday forclbly impressed with
these facts while passing the pier at the foot of
Beekman street. Three packet ships, the Column
bia, Oxford, and Yorkshire, were msored at that
wharf.-the Columbia, Capt. Rathbone, preparing
tor sea, the Yorkshire, Capt. Bailey, getting ready
for passengers, and the Oxford, Capt Yeaton,
discharging her baggage, having lately arrived
from Liverpool, whence she sailed on the 18th
alt, and not on the 18th, as reported. The pier
was crowded with cotton, flour, wooden clocks,
cheese. Sc, &C., the cargo of the Columbia, the
chief articles Of export from this country to Eu-
rope. There appeared to be enough on the wharf
to fill the three ships, but the whole wa, intended
for the G.
The Columbia is a splendid new packet, to
leave on Tuesday next on her second trip to
Liverpool. She is over one thousand tons in size,
and is remarkable for the solid, substantial splen-
dor Of her cabins-now completely finish
ed-the symmetry of her model, the supe-
riority of her sailing qualities and the skilful-
ness other ableand gentlemanly commander, j ohm
Rathbone, Esq late of the favorite packet Oxford.
hat I,
made in the, C. She embraces every thing ne
cessary to ship of the first Glass; Indeed, she
possesses one feature tha' is not, we believe, to
be found in any other packet, namely, a second
cabin adjoining her first cabin. The state rooms
of the Z. are very large and airy; two or three
can be thrown into suite of rooms suitable for a
family. and in which passengers can have the
same comforts that they would enjoy at the Astor,
American, or at Howard's
Such is the Columbia. Any can sec her at her
pier, and those who wish to cross the Atlantic,
will find her tho packet in which to take pas
sage.
The Columbia, Oxford, and Yorkshire, belong
to the old line Of Liverpool packets.
NAvAL.-The two splendid little steamers,
"Vixen'' and "Spitfre," will sail today. at
twelve O'Clock; the former for Havana, and the
latter, with Commodore Nicholson on board, as
bearer Of dispatches, for Chagres.
LIST OrrIcERs ATTACHED TO TIE VIxEv-Joshus
M Sands, Commander John Contes, Lieutenant !; Al.
exsnder Murray, Acting Master Augustus L. Sawyer,
Assistant Surgeon John Matthews IT, Passed Midship-
man William " LETTERS, jr.. do; Edward Simpson, do;
John B. Floyd, Captains Clerk James Atkinson end
Assistant Engineer Samuel Archood, And dol Charles
Coleman, Sd do.
LIST ATTACHED SprrrmE-Jssiah TAFT.
nall, Commander; Henry j. Hartstun, Lieutenant
tant surgeon John K Duer, Passed Midsbipman
James NJ. Ladd, do; Reigar B. Lowrey, do; - TAFT.
nall Captains Clerk John X. Matthews, and Assistant
Sd do.