The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-04-12

AMERICAN OCEAN SrrxM NAvieAT1ox-~THx
WASHINGTON AND UNITED SrArrs.-Whea the
| steamship Washington, the pioneer of Anne
rican steamships, had departed from New York
on her first voyage to Bremen and Southamp-
.on, she carried with her the hopes and
wishes of the community at large, for success
full and speedy trip With but comparatively little
experience in the construction of this description
of vessels, our enterprising merchants, ship
builders and engine Makers rushed into the field
of competition with our great rival, Great Bri-
ain-a nation that has almost from the very birth
OF the discovery of steam a. means of propeling
vessels. been engaged in building steamships
and with full confidence of success, sent the
Washington on her first trip.
The result of the first voyage was not as favor
able as could be desired 1t was evident that Ger.
tain improvements were requisite in order to ena-
BILE her to compete with the vessels of the British
line; and these improvements were accordingly
made, and also others, which developed them
selves in subsequent voyages. Great was the
modification which this apparent failure caused
in the hearts of all the people; but it was
to give way to feeling of quitera different
character, when this noble vessel was to redeem
the character and the reputation Of the country
to which she belongs. This she did on her last
voyage to Europe, and her return. She made
the first, in the face of many serious difficulties,
In the short space of fourteen days, which, under
the most favorable circumstances, is accounted
good trip; and returning, she made the port
New York In sixteen days, in the teeth of sue
cession of westerly gales, which served to him
der her speed in a very material degree. On
Doth of these passages, her engines and ma
chinery worked most beautifully, and as
a sea boat, her qualities excited the
admiration of all. Every one who was on
board of her, including the passengers, was loud
In her praise, as an easy, comfortable, safe and
quick-going vessel. In fact, she has become a
favorite vessel; and although she did not at first
fulfil the expectations of her owners and build
ers, nor the hopes OF the country, she has done
so now, and may be looked upon as a triumph OF
American skill, and as good vessel as floats on
the Atlantic.
This is in the highest degree satisfactory
and encouraging, and augurs well tor the more
brilliant success which is in store for the
United States as a steamship building coun-
try. Without a 1.-THE of the experience which
England has had in this branch of industry, we,
at jump, stand on an equality with her, and ere
long will outstrip her in this respect, as fully as
we have done in sailing vessels. The Her
mann, the second of the line to which the Wash
ington belongs, sailed few days since; and
although she met with terrible gale that CON-
PEELED her to put into Halifax, we confidently be-
lieve that she will behave credltably, and make
as good passage as could reasonably be expect.
ed on a first trip.
The latest specimen of ship building that this
country has produced, is the splendid and mag
ni6cent steamship, the United States, vessel
truly worthy of the great nation after which she
Is named. She left New York on Saturday last
'or Liverpool, with full cargo and large list
of passengers, and will, it is expected, confirm
The reputation which we have acquired in the
building of this description of vessels. Thue
far she has far exceeded the anticipations of her
friends. 1t has been ascertained from persons
on board the Hibernia, arrived too on Sunday,
that they met the United States quarter before
six O'Clock on Sunday morning, estimated dis
lance from Sandy Hook lao miles; and as the
United States left the Hook at a O'Clock in the
afternoon of Saturday, the time intervening is
just fourteen hours, making her average speed
ten knots per hour. II is commended and admit
ted that the Hibernia's speed coming IN was not
less than ten knots per hour, and according to
The report from her pilot, she anchored at the
Southwest Spit exactly at half past o'clock in
the evening, making the run in fourteen hours
and thirty minutes.
This is an excellent beginning, and is better
than eight miles per hour"