The New York herald., 1850-10-27

rican ocean steamer Pacific made her last voyage
from Liverpool to New York in ten days, four hours
and three quarters, from wharf TO wharf A wrtel
in yesterdays Times states that the Pacific left
Liverpool at 2 p. NJ, on the llth of September
The New York papers state that il reached that
city at Oh 45m T. M, on the 2lst ult. Add An
45m. for the difference Of the time occasioned by
difference of longitude, and we have 10 days "a
hours for the length of the passage.
The English ocean steamer Asia il said to have
made her last homeward voyage in 10 davs honrs
Allowance must, however, Be made for the greater
speed with which, owing to rhe set OF the currents
the voyage from America 10 England is accom-
plished, than the voyage from England 10 America.
The Asia's outward voyage to New York was ac-
complished in 10 days, IL hours, 80 minutes, mean
s.eamng time. From this, ws are told, must be
deducted hours for the detour by Halifax But
this allowance is in excess; the increased distance
IL Lot the only element 10 be considered; the less
resistance from oceanic currents on the Halifax
route ought also to be taken into account.
On the whole, we are disposed TO admit that the
raclfc, not the Asia, has made the quickest pas
sage yet made between Liverpool and New York.
II is, however, neck and neck affair. Ia July
last, the. American ocean steamer Atlantic made
the voyage from New York to Liverpool in ten
Gays, eIght hours, and twenty minutes, only one
hour twenty minutes in excess of the time taken
by the Asia.
We ale anxious to state the facts correctly, for
there is an evident and not unnatural straining on
The Part both OF English and Americans to make
.ut the best case for their respective steamers
even on the assumption that The victory is still
doubtful, the result cannot be very gratifying to
our naepnal pride. Cunards Company have had
ten years practice; the first experiment in Atlantic
steam navigation, on the part Of the Amer ricans
was made last year, by the New York aud Bremen
steamers. The Pacific and Atlantic are the first
steamers launched by the Collins Company. Yet
one OF these trial ships, if il has not beaten has
equalled the matured production of Cunard's Com
pany. ls there anything in the history of our
ocean steam navigation that can account for this
some Ten ears back, government, unable or un-
willing ~ maila tha ..
granted a contract TO Mr.. Samuel Cunard, which
that fortunate gentleman is understood to have
sold al greatPremium TO Glasgow company, for
the conveyance by steam vessels OF her Maiesty's
mails between Liverpool, Halifax and Boston In
lSf6 this contract was renewed for ten years from
the lst of January, 1885, and in expectation of the
American competition, which has since arise q,
leave was given to omit Halifax, and make the
voyage direct from Liverpool TO New York Both
the onglnal contract and its extension were given
without any competition. The owners of the Great
Western and other steam vessels, who had risked
Their money in establishing the practicabilty of
making the Atlantic voyage, were uncerenionious-
ly 6rushed aside, and the contractor has had vir-
tuai monopoly OF the steam communication be-
tween the United States and this country for the
last ten Years For this service, the country pays
EI40, ,OCO per annum.
Following the example of the English govern
ment, the United States granted, in IS4S, to a New
ork company, contract for carrying the mails TO
Liyerpooli and their two first vessels the Atlantic
and Pacihc, made their appearance this year, TO
be followed next spring by the Arctic and the Bal
uc The Cunard Company, thus put ou their met
tie, constructed the Asia and the Africa, which
were also placed on the station this year The
result OF the contest far as il has been carried,
Is stated above.
We are ten years before you in ship. building"
eaid Yankee skipper, the other day; "aud ten
Years behind you in machinery; in five years more
we VIII be ahead of you in both" To prove Jo-
Da,hen wrong, we shall have get up some compe-
tiuon nj home, end not wait 10 be taught the old
lessen that there is such thing in nature as an
improving monopoly.
Cunsfd's Company commenced with vessels OF
ii,iO0 tons and engines of $50 horse power. They
have, step by sep, reached 1890 tons and 900
horse power. But the size and power are the only
ihlngs changed the model hos remained the same
ne Asia, OF Z,3oO tons, is enlarged COTTON OF
the Britannia, of L. 100 tons, and goes bowling
uo~n The Mersey, carrying a sea before her
enspgh TO swamp revenue cruiser.
he American steamers are of larger tonnage
aDs les power than the Asia and Africa, but of ex-
quislfe model They are ten years ahrad,' of
The Assn and Alftca, as far as the hulls are con-
cerned, and as far behind in the engines They
slip down The Msrsey with scarce n ripple at the
bow, dividing the water like Gravesend steamer
In accon modation ventilation and &c neral arrange
nent, The American vessels far superior 10 any
thing that has been before seen in this country
IL will doubtless be said that we attach too much
importance 10 the success ( our trans Atlantic
cousins. We shall be told that Z" One swallow
does not make a summer; one extraordinary pas
sage IL not fsir criterion" We shall be advised
10 wait for a twelvemonth before we give an
opinion. In spite, however, OF these and other
wise saws tbatmay be poured out, We confess that,
10 us, the voysges Of the Atlantic and the Pacific
look like " The handwriting on the WALL 10 our
ruiers' which u behooves them TO lay 10 heart.