The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-06-16

Ocean steam H.vigausn-RssuIs or Comps-
tition-WOndsrfL Success of Amsrscan
Steamships.
There never was time when the public mind,
Of both England and the United States, was 30
much occupied and excited with the subject Of
ocean steam navigation, as it 10 now and has been
for two months past. This has been casse11 oy the
organization of the new line of American steam
ships, which was originated, perfected, and sue
cesfully put in operation. by E. X. Collins, Esq, Of
this city, and the first vessel of which, the Allan
tic, has shown to the world what she is capa-
bic of accomplishing, under unfavorable as well as
favorable circumstances, against head winds and
mead seas, as well as in Gains These vessels have
not as yet had chance of proving what they can
accomplish with fair winds, under both canvass
and steam, unless an opportunity TO do so, was
vouchsafed TO the Pacific on her outward trip. Of
this we SHALL in all probability, be informed by the
next steamship from Liverpool. This new line en-
tered the field or rather the sea, of competition,
with the steamships comprising the Cunard line
some additional ones of which have recently been
constructedor the express purpose, if possible, of
outstnpplDg the Cunard line. The two countries,
therefore, with due preparation and forethought,
have entered into a trial of skill in the navi-
cation OF the ocean, and are contending for
a valuable prize, viz: the passenger trade Of
the Atlantic, and the freight money Of light
and valuable merchandise, between Europe
and America. The result is anxiously looked
for by the people of both countries and immense
sums money have been already won and lostin the
United States and in England, in the form of bets,
the speed of the vessels Of the respective lines.
We have from the commencement felt deep
interest in the subject of ocean steam navigation,
and have kept ourselves informed from time to time
of the precise state of affairs connected with il.
With the view, therefore, of placing our readers in
possession of the exact state of this trial of skill
and enterprise, place before them the results up
to this time-that is, the comparative speed of the
steamship Atlantic, and the vessels of the CunaId
line, in their passag es TO and from Liverpool.
According TO the official register of the Cunard
Company, the average length of passage Of those
vessels, was, in the year lS49,
Days. Hours
From Halifax to Liverpool .. 81
The average length of passage from New
YORK to Halifax, was. IA
Average passage from New York to Liv-
erpool Of the Cunard steamships, in
The Am steam p Atlantic on her first trip
TO Liverpool and with broken engine
for i've days and half, made the pas
sage IN. 40
| Difference in favor of the Cunsrd steam
| chips under favorable circumstances,
and against the Atlantic, under the
| reverse Il
The actual time lost by the Atlantic was at least
forty hours her trip to Liverpool and when we
| add to that her decrease of speed on recount Of
her broken engine, it must be admitted that her
outward trip was extraordinary one.
Now, let US investigate the comparative home
ward passages of the Atlantic and the Cunard
steamships during the year lSl9, and also the
paratve passage of that vessel and those Of the
Cunard steamships which left Liverpool a short
time before she did, and the one which left after
her.
BY the official records Of the Cunard Company,
it appears that during the wear lS49 the average
length Of the passages of the steamships of that line
was
From Liverpool to HALIFAX ........ II o
From Halifax TO New York ........ o
Average passage from Liverp. Ito N. York Is 10 o
Passage Of the Atlantic from Liver
pool to New York. with head wind
and sea all the time, and . gale good
Poruoh Oh u IL 10
Difference in favor of the Atlantic
over the average passages Of the Gu
naroers In le4v .......... 20
Now for the trip Of the two Cunard steamships,
which left Liverpool short time before she did
and the one that left that port after herr
Dsvs. Hrs. MIN.
The steamship America left Liverpool
the 18th Of May. and arrived at
New York the 9Th Of june, At 6h
O'Clock A. NJ, thus making the trip In II 70 20
The Atlantic left Liverpool ON the 2yth
ofApril and made the psssagein IL Is
Difference in favor Of the Atlantic. .. 10 IL
The Asia left Liverpool on May 18th,
at Pm. and arrived at Boston May
2sth at 30 Pm. thus making the
trip to the latter port in 10 %
Difference between Be-tou and N York II
Time that would have been occupied
by the Asia II che had come to New
York instead Of 10 Boston ........ 10 80
Dinsrnce in favor Of the Asia ..... ~
In comparing the passages Of the Asia and the
Atlantic, il must be borne in mind that from the
time when the latter left Liverpool until she ar
rived at New fotk, che experienced, with the ex-
ception Of eight hours, succession Of head winds,
which increased Mt times to gales, and had to Gu
counter an exceedingly rough head sea, which
iaIded her progress, at the lowest calculation,
twenty -four hours; whereas, the contrary, the
Asia had fair winds almost all of the way, and
used her sails. The result then is this -
Days. Hire. Mn.
Passage Of the Asia VITA fair winds al
mot all Of the distance, and using
Passage Of the Atisutis. With head
wibds and rsi.e and esas, all OF the
distance. with the exception of
egnt hours ....s...s's... III 10
Difference In favor Of tAe Asia under
THESE circumstances. .............. ~
Let ms take the Canada. the CunarI stearn-