Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1849-04-20
From the n. Y. Express.
Sketch OF the History Of Atlantic
Steam NAVIGATION.

projects now before the world, is the estab-
lishment of u line of steamships between
CadlZ and Cuba. We find this sublcci
treated with much attention by the Cronica
Spanish newspaper Of. the highest respec-
liability, commenced in this city about six
months ago. Among ether points connec-
| ted with this project, so important to Spain
and her colonies, the editor gives an out,
| line of the history and present condition OF
ocean steam navigation complied from au-
thentic sources from whiclrwe derive the
following view. by condensed translation
of an article in the Cronica of the 23d OF
March.
The proposed line Of Spanish steamers
between Cadiz and Cuba promises to add
one of the most important links to the
great chain of ocean navigation. The his
ry OF proceeding enterprise is important To
be known TO those who are embarking in
this, as they may shun the errors and take
advantage TO the success of those who
have gone before.
/ The English were slow to believe that
the navigation of The ocean by steam was
/ possible; and until they had made many ex>
perlments in the Bay of Biscay, and around
the British Islands. they did not think of
the extension which might be given to the
power OF steam upon the Atlantic. Even
after practical men had given proof Of what
might confidently be expected, DR.. Lard>
ner, respectable writer on machinery, de-
clared that he thought voyage to the moon
more practicable than one across tie Atan~
tic by steam.
In 1886 and '37 several steamboats,
crossed the Atlantic, which were The pre-
cursors of all succeeding ones. The r ov,
al William and Sirius were among these,
and year or two afterwards, the Great
! Liverpool began 10 run as regular packet
between Southampton and Alexandria in
Egypt. She was lost two or three years
since.
The Great Western" began TO ply as a
regular packet, between Bristol and New
| Y DIRK in 1898 without the assistance from
| the Government. She continued until
Withdrawn in 1915, when in consequence
of the loss of the Great Britain her owns
er sold her to the Royal Steam Mail Com
pany; which since she has been employed
| III tiht oCiNlNCs A'uC .0OU OlaS,
and has a power of AGO horses. Alter
running two or three years, the size of her
boiler was reduced, III order to make room
! for more cargo; and her speed was in cons
sequence considerably diminished Her
shortest passage from England to N. Y ok
was IL days and l8 hours. She has now
crossed the Atlantic about sixty times, in
the course Of which she has never been
obliged 10 scud before storm nor 10 seek
refuge in any port, nor undergo any injury
from accidents, we'll merling the prefers
ence shown for her by her passengers. She
has paid medium dividend, as we have
! been informed, of seven or eight per cent;
and although she has been succeeded by
ships of a superior order in all respects, she
! is still spoken Of as adm lraby conducted
The Great Britain was d colossal fabric
of iron, of $500 tons burthen. She was
1 from the first, what is called an unfortunate
vessel. She was built i'll dock too mar.
row 10 admit Of her passing out. She had
an elegant model. carried SIX short masls
and was propelled by machine on the
plan Of Archimedes' screw. She performs
ed a passage TO New York in Is days, and
was welcomed by the highest public inter
ess. In consequence of the repeated
breaking of the chain which turned the
great paddle screw, detensions occurred in
her voyage; but she was proved TO be a
fast vessel, by making one shoit voyage
Unfortunately she was soon stranded on the
coast of Ireland, where she remained for
many months, resisting the gigantic efforts
Of ngineers, and without injury from ex>
posure in any part, until at length her im>
mense hull was safely drawn off, but the
company by whom she had been construc-
ted, were obliged to abandon their projects,
and sold her and the Great Western logelE
! er.
Another private company in England be-
| gan operations year or two after the Great
| Western was first set alloat. Their steam
ers were, The British Queen, of 800 tons,
and the President, OF 5000. The latter
was lost at sea, after a voyage or two; and
the Queen was sold 10 the Belgian govern
ment, after three or four years Of service
She performed voyage 10 New York
with Belgian crew, but on her return was
dismanlled, and laid up at Antwerp, after
having been offered for sale, without find
ing purchaser.
In 1871 Mr.. Cunard contracted with the
British government 10 transport the mail
between Liverpool and Boston, touching at
Halifax, sending ont steamer every Is
days during three-quarters of the year, ana
one every month in the winter. lie was
also 10 keep an extra steamer ready al Liy.
crpool, to take an express despatch TO the
! British North American provinces, at any
time within "a hours notice. For this,
he was TO receive gl45, sterling a year.
-Four excellent ships were Immediately
built, viz: The Britannia, the Acadia, the
Columbia, and the Caledonia; and two
years later the Hibernia and lie Cambria
were added to the number. All these are
CT nearly the same size as the Great West.
ern, but superior IN construction and sail
ing. All OF them, if we mistake not, have
grounded among the (ngs and shoals Of No
va Scotia; and the Columbia was totally
lost on Seal Island. The service, however,
has been continued with degree of promp-
titude and regularity equal 10 that found on
any rail. road in the United States. II is
impossible 10 state the results of this enters