The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-07-26


STEAMSHIP UNITED SrArEs.-The noble steamship
United States, Captain Hackstaff, arrived at this
port early yesterday morning, after very quick
passage across the Atlantic. American ocean
steam navigation being In its infancy, il Is worth
our while to give an account of this passage, and
mpare il with the trips of the celebrated Cunard
steamers, to see how we stand.
The United States sailed from Havre at half-past
o'clock in the evening of the 18th inst; she
crossed the ocean against eight days of constant
head winds and sea; she had but a single meridian
observation; and yet was boarded by the news
steamer News Boy at fifteen minutes past o'clock
on the morning OF the 18th inst, thus giving her
passage of twelve days. eleven hours and forty-fve
minutes. 1t is to be borne in mind that this pas
sage was made between Havre and New York.
The quickest passage ever made between Liver
pool and New York was performed in May, 1913,
by the Great Western, in-twelve days and eighteen
hours This time, 1t is to be seen, has been beaten
by the United States SIX hours and fifteen minutes;
but as Havre is one days sail further from New
York than Liverpool is, the United States has
made the shorter passage, by thirty hours and
fifteen minutes, than any otheron record and forty
two hours quicker than any of the Cunard steamers,
including even that of the famous America to this
city.
The steamer America performed her second trip
from Liverpool to Boston, in June last, in 10 days
and 10 hours, during which time, we are informed
by more than one Of her passengers, the elements
favored her in every respect; the surface of the
sea, from the time she left Liverpool until she
reached Halifax, was as smooth as a mill-p0nd,
and not enough wind to air her cabins. The United
States made her last passage from Havre 10 this
city in II days If hours, encountering for more
than half of this time thick weather, with heavy
head sea; and, on reaching the Banks, it became
necessary to feel her way to port by soundings by
which she lost full half mile each time the lead
was cast. Under these circumstances, the Ame-
rica's famous trip beat Lthe United States but lsa
hours, which is more than overbalanced In the de-
tention caused the United States by the weather
while on her course and on the coast.
For the purpose of placing the movements of
these two splendid steamships before the public in
their proper light, we give table, showing the
time and circumstances under which their shortest
trips were performed, compared with that of the
Great Western.
ANALYSIS OF THE SHORT PASSAGES.
Steamers. Time. Weather.
$ % Is sea ssa AZ w lns way
Great esterD May 1881" Is weather recoeOted
This comparative statement Is made by redu-
cling the distances between the different points to
that between LIVERPOOL and Boston.
The result shown by this table is that, all things
considered, the American steamship United
States has made the quickest passage westward,
across the Atlantic, on record. This steamer has
not yet had fair trial the elements have been
against her every voyage, and there is not the
slightest doubt but that the United States and
the Hermann can beat anything IN the shape of
ocean steamers afoat, with the same wind and
weather. The last voyage out OF the Hermann,
and the last voyage home of the United States,
prove them superior ships for speed, and the tes-
timony of those who have crossed IN them prove
them superior in comfort and accommodations to
any Others If we have been so successful in the
construction, equipment, and management of the
second and third American ocean steamers, what
can be expected OF our ship builders, our engl-
neers our commanders and owners, when they
have had the experience of those of Great Britain!
We are yet IN our infancy in this branch OF steam
navigation, while they are in their full strength
and manhood. They have apparently arrived at
perfection in their models and machinery; but in
less than ten years Brother Jonathan will show
John Bull that he has not only vast deal to learn,
but must make rapid strides to overtake his more
youthful rival upon the ocean.