The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-22
Ocean steam Navigation - Commencement
OF a New Era.

A circumstance took place yesterday, in this
city, which may be looked upon as the commence
ment of a new era in the history of the United
States. This circumstance the laying of the
keel Of the first of the splendid ocean steamers
lately authorised by act of Congress, and which
will run between this port and Cowes and Bre-
men. The dimensions of this splendid vessel
are gigantic, and are as follows =
he1sA OF Hs'' over ali. :..::. asS feet
Wid,h OF beam. .......... 80
Dsp'n Oh h"'i from the Poop Deck. 81 81 'n0h''
Tonnage .l75O tons.
Messrs. Westervelt & Mckay, the well-known
ship builders, have contracted to furnish the hulls
Of these vessels and to build them in the strong
est and most substantial manner, and will intro
duce all the Improvements that the experience Of
the past few years has brought to light. Her
cabin and second cabin will be fitted up in the
most magnificent, and, at the same time, staunch
manner with ample room for two hundred first
class and one hundred second class passengers,
and will resemble more the drawing room of a
splendid hotel at Of our fashionable water
ing places, than the interior Of ship. The
engines and machinery will be constructed by
Messrs. Stillman, Allen & Co., of the Novelty
Works, on an improved principle. The follow
ing will be the dimensions Of the engine and ma.
ohinery;-
Power of Engine. ............ 1000 horses
tyhnder ~ inches
suoke ~ feet
When all shall have been completed, and the
noble vessel ready for sea, she will be placed
under the command of Captain Hewitt, the pre-
sent master of the splendid Havre packet ship
Utica.
Fears were entertained some time ago, by some
of our short sighted citizens, that the enterprise
would not turn out productive. We understand
that this company, and all our principal merchants
and sailing masters, are confident that il will
yield the most profitable returns.
The following is an estimate of the probable
income and expenditures of the Ocean Steam
Navigation Company, for one year, with their
four vessels -
Twenty -four trips from New York to Cowes
and Bremen $50 tons freight per trip, $1,000
tons per annum, at $40 per ton. ........ 100000
Twenty -four trips from Europe to New York,
$50 tons freight per trip, 5000 per s25 10000
Twenty four trips from New York, to average
70 passenger LIST class 1880 per at sl25 200 900
so do I'd class 1900 at $50. 1000
Twenty four trip. from Europe. to average
10 passengers, LIST class, 1880 at $50. -. $4,000
80 do I'd class, 1900, at $50 $4,000
Twenty four voyages, profits of bar and specie
To receive from government per annum 49,. 100000
sl,I04Ooo
Pay Roll for officers and crew. so in all,
as per estimate per annum. 900
support Of officers and crew, at 50 90 per
week. .......2 10000
support Of lao passengers out and back,
allowing "A days, at 81 per day. e. sc. 100
Fuel, II tons coal per hour allow ~
days for round voyage, s.o4s-2o,sos,
- oo. .s1so1
Port Charges and Potage, "a voyages, at
$40 900 each vessel. :. 40 900
Wharf Expenses, extra, 50, 900 each. 5000
Ship Chambers Bill, $4,000 each. /. :. $4,000
Fire and Marine Insurance, per cent. so, 900
Interest on Capital, 81 ,ooo. 900, at per
cent .6O,OOO
Agents Commissions. ................ 10000
4Ae07a
747,92s
Deduct to cover ell possible coming
IS per cent. Observation-Disclosures. ls6 ,9s2
Profits. ....... $660,s4
All must allow that this is a moderate estimate.
In the first place, it is made on the suppositon
that each vessel will, on an average, have but
one hundred and twenty passengers, and second
ly the large sum of sls6, 9e2, is set down in the
disbursement as a sum to cover every possible
expense that might occsr beyond the regular