The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-27
NEW YORK HERALD.
Ocean Steam Navigat10n-Thc American
Mail Steam Ship Washington.

We gave IN our paper Of yesterday full ac-
count of the trial trip of the first American
ocean steamship, the Washington, the pioneer
OF our ocean steamships. We congratulate all
concerned in her success. She is indeed noble
specimen of American naval architecture, and
will reflect honor and credit on her builders and
projectors.
Considering the perfect manner in which this
vessel has been built and equipped, we are sur
prised at the expedition with which it has been
done. The first timber of the frame laid on
the seventh of September last, and on the goth
of January last she was afoat. In three months
from the last mentioned day her engine
was on board, and in working order. When
we look at the steamships that have been
constructed by the government, and COM
pare them with the Washington, built by
private enterprise the contrast is strongly In
favor of the Washington. While not more than
nine, or ten and twelve miles could be ira
yersed by the Mississippi under favorable cir
cumstances, fifteen and half or sixteen have
been made by the Washington. Nor Is this all
The greatest difference is observable in the
beauty of the models Of the vessels. We need
not say that the model of the Washington is
much superior to that of the Mississippi. On
the score of expense, the difference is yet great
err The Mississippi cost in round numbers,
$500, 900, while the whole cost of the Washing
ton, including expensive articles, which the
Mississippi does not require, was only
$250,000. The silver plate belonging to the
Washington is magnificent, and comprises
enough to stock large store in Broad
way, and this with her linen and ca
bin furniture, did not form any part of the
of fha f,
make up for the armament on board the latter
As vessel of war, the Washington would favor
ably compare with the Mississippi, in strength
and every other quality.
While all who had hand in the Washington
are deserving of the greatest credit, we must
not omit TO mention Mr.. Edward Mills, the
general agent of the company, and the man
through whose energy and enterprise the scheme
was originated and carried out He is deserving
of all praise, for not only establishing this line,
but for overseeing the building of the vessel, and
for making her cost so reasonable as it Is, with
out emitting to provide everything that was
necessary to make her the most substantial and
elegant vessel afoat.
Our government have been taught lesson in
building steamships of war, which they ought to
improve and profit by. In spite of the remon-
stIdhces VI TIC press, anu VI Jul AheiChahtS, Hey
would undertake to build steam war ships, and
the consequence was that nearly every one they
constructed was failure when placed in COM
parison with the Washington. The expense
they incurred in making their abortons would
have been sufficient if put into the hands OF such
gentlemen as Mr.. Mills and Captain Hewitt, to
build first class vessels, and leave balance
large enough, after finishing three, to construct
two more equal to the Washington.
The fact is, four steam war vessels can be
built in this city,:by our ship builders for the
same sum that it cost the government to build
two.