The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-02-01
Marine AMAlrS.
TH1 LAUNCH OF THE MONSTER STEAMSHIPS ALLAN

TIE LAUNCH OF THE MONSTER STEAMSHIPS ATTAIN
TIC AND PAcIFIc-sPLENpIp SIGHT,
The two monster steamers, belonging to the now
mall lins destined to ply between New York and Liver
poel to be launched this after the Alta
built BY Mr.. WIN. II. Brown, at quarter before two
O'Clock from the foot Of Tenth street. and the Pacific
built by Mr. jacob Bell ct quarter past two o'clock
from the foot Of Houston street, (E. R) We would
not only direct the attention Of naval and con-
noisssiurs in these matters, but that Of whole
community, to this spectacle the like OF which has
certainly before been witnessed In this country
Our ocean steamers have hitherto failed to reflect
that credit the character Of American naval arobi
lecture which might reasonably have been anticipated
from the admitted superiority Of our ship builders;
but from adsliberate survey Of the two chef deupres
now on tho stocks, and consultation with scientific
men, venture to cast to tho winds all doubts Of
their future tuccess.
When he steamer Great Britain, at Liverpool, was
completion, the details Of her Dimensions tom
mage, SO, reprntsd from the English newspapers
created even In this country degree interest which
unaffected itself in every part OF the mercantile
munity; and yet it is singular fact, that although
the kses Of these vessels laid In March last such
is the ruling passion OF people, that great mass
Of them have been unconscious until now of their
existence.
Gamers
CT five veesols, to be known the "New York and
Liverpool Line Of Mail Steamers built under tbs
auspices Of a company Of gentlemen headed by Z. X.
Collins Esq, under whose personal supervision the er-
tire work has progressed and to whose enterprise and
energy It's accomplishment Is due The advantages of
having but single controlling mind In project of
this nature are obvious to every one are Der
suaded that the secret Of In the Cunard line of
steamships, has In great measure been owing to this
regulation, which the company adopted In the com.
mencement
We conscious Of inability to give our readers
adequate idea Of the history, build, construction
and immense strength these vessels but some of the
particulars may not be altogether uninteresng The
partial failure or at least, that Illustration of design
witnessed in the Washington and Hermann has bee n
owing, in great measure, to the limited capital with
which the company were obliged to commence opera.
tionsa circumstance necessarily precludng that Der
fiction which appears to be the leading characteristic
Of the new steamers in question. and the abseroe of
which, in failed In the Others to realize the
antcpations Of those who bold enough to attempt
q competition with the monsyed capitalists Of Great
Britain.
| Mr.. Collins who IL we'll known In the community a
gentleman Of the most enterprisins character and
whose long acquaintance with mercantile men and
matters has thrown him in contact as it wsre with
|
embarked, when Satisfied Of the feasibility the pro-
ject notwithstanding the opposing Influences With
obliged to contend disposed Of his vessels sad appro.
pristed the Of his fortune TO the
Of his visws-views which sought to place tho abilities
OF our naval arxans In scale Of fair and ca
petition with the genius Of Great Britain and to ius.
trste the superiority Of American steamships in de-
gree Of oomparison great that which our
ana SAILING vessels possefs those Of every other
nation.
At the outset carte blanche (withous reference to
| oil wan tn Rail audQ
Messrs. Stilla and Allen, and to Alaire Co. en-.
CINE builders; gentlemen Of tho highest profes
was ssveraly conhded accompanied by the
that whoever should Aucoeed best in tho
accompaniment Of his tack should be given the CEN
cumtsnoes no pains have been spared these
vessels the most perfect in the world and partial
EVIDENCE OF the truth Of what assert, are inform
ed that out Of i've csrgoes Of ordinary ship timber
purchased by Mr. Bell for tho construction of ths
Pacific only six timber. of . required sine (viz II
inches) we're obtained which were deemed worthy of
being placed In her, Hitherto objections have bee
found In the models Of some Of our ocean steamers
permit Of that essental requisite great speed but
the case before u.s. and particularly regards the
and in eur opinion, advantsgeously. Indeed, every
principle Of naval architecture has been re- studied
and applied which science and skill Favored nv mu.
niacsnt inducements) could suggest.
We have been enabled, from frequent observation
OF these steamers during the progress Of their
struotion to CLEAN the following statistics which va
lay before our readers:-
Tonnage, Carpenters measurement, 2,7oO tons,)
actual burthe n 1000 tens.
Length Of keel. . 2e6 feet
ae. man deck. .276 do.
p do. " under main :d:: deck. % S So
Draft Of water when loaded, isbouD. -. 10 do in
Moulded breadth Of beam. ......... 40 do.
rismes, tsioeo)' ..'....... 10 to IL In.
do. timbsrs, inoulded,. ........... 81 d.
The noors are solid, fore and all. ana boissd and rv
cited dsgonally through the bottom OF the vessel;
these and the frames are coased firmly tossthsr Tho
natr the bottom and at the wales nohss wales
and plank at the sdes being boted together edgewsys
pine and the ceiling to eight inches thick to the
turn Of the bge at which point there are six
pankiDg one foot wide and of the ssus thiok
boltsd eogeways together ell through the
and solioiy cosged The frames fastened together
with diagonal iron braces four inches wide aud
deck and rivetted together the points
All the knees are Of oak and hsokmstack with hanging
hnsss under each beam, which are OF yellow pine The
and locust trespsis go entirely through the former
cenched ON rings, and the treenails wedged both
| sides.
The following statisties Of tho engines (Which are
now In great slate Of forwardnsss gathered from
uosnt nS a,..n u ~ ,h.;s Saea upon 20 note one
another IL would be that perfect simplicity, combined
with extraordinary strength which Is manifested Ia
every part These to be Of the side lever order
Of zoo horee power by the Brtish mode Of compute.
tion-the piston moving vertically.
VI 10 1ncnes, ana OF feet stroke,
carrying from 10 to Is pounds Of steam diameter Of
wheels 30 feet width IL feet inches-mskipg IA
to 10 revolutions In . minute; diameter OF shaft 20
inches; the bed plates ION which the machinery is
placed) are soIid castings, and each Of forty tons
weight, being nearly double the weight Of any previous
castings IN this country The allowance OF coal to be
carried each trip Ia $40 tons but in expectancy OF
heavy weather In winter time, this stock be In
cr.aed to oto tons Each steamer has four boilers
weighing in the aggregate 200 tons and Of 40 tons
water capacity These to be Of the tubular order,
admitting of the greatest extern. Of fire surface,
which in this in,tance amounts to H. 600 feet An
feature in the construction Of these sea ners
land Q ref-ren to which seems appropriate here) IL
the unususl strength given TO the floor timbers in
order to resist the excessive strain produce engines
OF bs msgpitude and may not be iuvidious TO say
that the failure in point Of speed in ocean
hitherto be partially traced the neglect Of
this cpe and the consequent loss Of power which
mig hit otberwise have been successfully txerted as
nesne Of propulsion.
These vessels are to be bark rugged without topgs-
liant sas or head bot ms; the head stays be UP
inboard and to carry jih and stay all The chain
cables, although leading ON hause holes on the main