The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-08-03

Steamship Washington.
of the N. Y. Journal OF Commerce
On BOARD STEAMSHIP WASHINGTON,
OFF Sandy Hook INV 90 1Sl7

Off Sandy Hook, July %, lS47.
GENTLEMEN: AS our passage across the Atlantic is
nearly end in this, the first development OF Amen-
enterprise in building packet steamers and as
candid opinion of the ship, her performances and APP
pontment, may not be uninterestng to you, will give,
as briefly as possible, statement OF them Inc ship
sailed punctually to her appointment on the 10Th OF July,
from Southampton, at O'Clock, m, and all things
looked well for favorable and pleasant passage; but
before she discharged her pilot which was about 7
o'clock p m, it discovered that the set OF bars IN
the furnaces which had been used all the passage out
began to give out After she left, entire new set was
put in and by midnight they also Were burnt OUT and
examining them, it was found that they melted
and the coal they had been using, which was WEIGH
anthracite, the OF it. Having but one set OF
bars left the captain very judcousy decided to return,
and at a. the ship was her way back to South
ampton Captain Hewett came forward while the pas
sengers at the breakfast table, and stated that he
regretted to inform them he under the necessity of
putting back, owing TO the Goals being bad that he
deemed more prudent to do than to run the risk OF
being crippled in the middle of the Atlantic for want OF
BARS but he glad TO say that he had but 250 tons OF
the bad COAL which could be taken out and replaced and
sets of bars cast as to be ready to sail again on
Thursday the 1ath I'll s,fe al" they count On
board but if they wished to leave the ship for any other
conveyance, their passage-money should be returned to
mem. Ihis statement was received with cheers and all
seemed to submit TO this great disappointment much
cheerfuy than expected No left the ship from
any want OF confidence in her, and but two, believe
from any other cause
During the four days detention after our return MANY
OF the passengers went TO London, Paris others
spent the time IN sailing and fishing and wandering about
sailed again at !, p. m, and had fine ofing and fair
weather for the first four days but ever SINCE until YES
terday, we have had head winds and heavy head seas
which have retarded our progress very much Another
thing has been also very deirimenal-whch is being
Obliged to burn the bitumnous coal, instead of the Anne
rlcan anthracite, which she constrained burn and
1t has been difficult TO keep the fires up the most aid
vantageous point, the coal clnkered and the dense
smoke also choked the fues. The company will no
doubt be obliged to ship coal to Southampton and Be-
men, TO supply their steamers for the homeward passage
but even under all these disadvantages and with the
ship drawing % feet her engines have performed very
handsomely and it is certainly grand sight to stand in
her engine room, and these huge monsters performing
their revolutions, with the greatest steadiness and the
most unyeldng precision through all kinds of weather.
They noble pair of engines Yet there are some
will be-
AS to the ship she has proved herself 10 be one of the
finest a1oat Her strength is indisputable and as sea
boat she has superior. She rides the sea buoyany
and majestcaly; and though at times she has pitched
deeply yet she has taken board any part of
markabe is the keel she has kept during the whole
passage Though we have had seas great deal,
yet think am safe IN saying that she has not rolled five
feet from even keel during the passage. She is
tanly the seadiest ship sailed in. There is no
creakng OF joints and bulk heads, usual and were
not for the slight jar Of the engines, one might almost
imagine she was at anchor, especially when below.
The saloon very large, and verychasey and beautiful
y fitted up; but there two things which would improve
g greatly appearance pae eanaGt be done easily the
too low by is inches or feet The other the
slightly racks which suspended the tables through
the whole length of the saloon, and which very de
rimental to the beauty of t-only combining with the
ceiling to make ii appear still lower than it really is
As to our captain, few words will suffice" Beat him
# you cam" he is quiet, gentemanly man. and knows
the ship from the keel the main truck and all that is
going on on board of her. He is sure to be popular
Our comforts in the cabin have been attended 10 by the
steward and his assistants, manner that does credit
to himself and the company that employs him. The
tables have been filled with every luxury that could be
had at the first hotels and believe all are satisfied with
chi har, IL.
destined to be very popular with all who have occasion
to cross the Atlantic. A PASSENGER