The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-28
From the London Nautical Standard.
Progress or Steam Navigation.

Progress OF steam NaNtsatfOns
The year 1850 will be remarkable in the annals
of steam navigation; do not allude exclusively
to the construction of those magnificent ships en-
ployed in the American mail service, for there the
increase of size has been the result of experience
and much yet remains to be done. Indeed our
transatlantic friends have stolen march upon the
Clyde engineers. Step by step did MIR. Napier
proceed in the addition of engine power, but with
out departing from the principles which his first
labors were conducted. The American steamers
have now adopted the tubular boilers, which he
eschewed, and lind therein a compensation for the
want of that knowledge on other points which
should have created virtual monopoly for the
| Clyde manufacturer.
We confess the passages of the American packet
Atlantic caused us considerable surprise until the
construction of her boilers became known. The
fact is, the Cunard line has lost pre- eminence to
| regain. Ii may be that on an average of voyages
a few hours will be found to the credit of that com
! pany, but the great superiority has, for the
ment vanished, and they must do better or be CON
tented with an equal participation Of glory That
we do better there is little doubt, and il will,
| ere long, be our duty to describe the means by
which that better not only can, but will, be accom-
! plshed in this country While, however, public
attention has been attracted to what the Examine
lately described as 'tAtlantic racing,' there has
been gathering in every of the empire fleet
of steam vessels fitted with small engines propelled
| by the screw, and destined to act import
ant part in the commercial history of the world
| than their more mighty sisters of the ocean.
| We may take some credit to this journal as the
constant supporter of the propeller. In early
days, and amidst evil report we maintained it.
efficacy; and now that wider field has been opened
and more extended trial for the first time allowed,
| there less douht af its
| A formal announcement appeared the other day OF
the contract for the Cape of Good Hope mails hav-
| ing been taken by the General Screw Steam Ship
| ping Company; screw-propelled vessels to be, in
consequence, employed in the service.
| The Admiralty deserve, they will receive,
| the appreciation of the mercantile community for
this decision. Hitherto the operations of the Screw
| Company have been confined to the Rotterdam,
Dunkirk, and Constantinople stations, without any
| assistance from the government. The large sums
awarded to the great steam lines, and which have
enabled the Oriental and other companies TO create
and maintain their unrivalled Ships have no doubt
been returned enfold to the country by the facii-
ties which they have given to trade; and perhaps
| the public money has never been, not spent, but
employed TO grea ter advantage. principle
| comes now to claim its share of encouragement
from the State, and has obtained it, 1t is diff
cult TO ortel the consequence of successful ocean
| navigation by means of the A vessel Of
200 ons propelled by paddle wheels will require
from five hundred to six hundred horse power. The
same ship with screw, judging by the perform
ance of the Constantinople vessels, will achieve
speed of nine knots per hour in direct line from port
to port, with two hundred horse power. There will
be- consequently, half less fuel necessary, and
a corresponding addition to the stowage of goods
The cost of engines and wages will be less and the
accommodation for passengers greatly increased.
| Add to these advantages the fact that much re-
mains to be done in perecting the application Of
the propeller, and we have good grounds for anti
cipating economical system of steam navigation
! for the future.
We have made especial allusion to the General
Screw Steam Company, because the voyages Of
their vessels have been published with the most
minute details on every material point; and, fur
thermore, because they have employed the build
ers and engineers of the Thames in the construc-
ton of their machinery and ships.
We ayow great preference for their choice; nei-
Their Liverpool nor the Clyde have ever approached
the perfection to which Messrs. J. Penn and Mauds
| lay have brought the paddle-wheel and screw ma
rine engines. Time, no doubt will bring improve
ments on the Mersey and Clyde, but at the present
moment when the question is TO produce the great
est power at the least cost Of weight and fuel, the
! Thames is far in advance of its rivals.
great impulse has been given by this contract
TO the use of the screw, and while there is little
reason TO fear its gradual adoption in almost every
branch of our mercantile marine, the royal navy
| will derive no small advantage from the expert
ence which will be gained by this first application
| of the principle TO a ocean line.