The New York herald., 1850-05-20
The New steamship Asia OF the Cunnrt
LInc-The Compe titor of the Atlantic.

FROM the Liverpool Mercury, Aprl 80
This splendid vessel, which is to he added to the
noble fleet of steamers carrying the mails between
this port and Halifax, under the direction OF the
British and North American Steam Packet Compa-
ny, has now arrived here, and from an inspection
Of her, we are enabled 10 give a detailed account
OF her general dimensions and internal arrange.
ments. The Asia is pgonounccdby the owners and
builders, one Of The finest ships ever launched m
the OJde. On The first application Of the steam,
the cng.-.scs were Immediately set IN motion, and
Walked away with the vessel as smoothly as II they
had been in operation for six months. AS soon
the noble ship was observed moving slowly, but
Jesiicsiy. down the Clyde, she was greeted with
an enthusiastic burst Of applause from the crowds
stationed on the banks on either eide. From the
great length Of the ASIA Il required no small de-
gee cf skill 10 take her past the sharp bends IN the
iNer above Govan, and, on arri' ing at short dis
tsnce from DunRlass Fort, il was found impossible
70 proceed farther till evening, the tide had not
flowed to the height anticipated, owing TO the pre-
tnlence Of an castcrly wind On "Wednesday az
tencon, however, steam having been again got up,
the Asia made fair start scawafd from the tail Of
The bank. under the care Of Captain Hugh Main,
late Of the Orion, leaving the Cloch lighthouse at
twenty minutts past one O'Clock, with the wind
blowing still breeze, with slight rain. from the T..
;. T.. OF the Cambray light, distance Of hltecn
miles and ihree-qusrtcrs, she arrived IN ono hour
and seven minutes; and at foTty-cnc minutes past
two O'clock, on Friday morning, arrived at the
Bcll Buoy, having made the run from the Cloch
lrht 10 the bar in the remarkably brief space Of
which she attained a speed Of thirteen knots
Lour OF the bar the AsiS was compelled, for want
OF wafer, 10 remain considerable umc; and al
most six hours elapsed ere she arrived oil the Rock
lighthouse, which she saluted nj eight O'Clock.
4 he Asia. which, a SPECIMEN of naval architec-
ture ~ considered of the finest vessels ailout,
was built by Messrs. Steele, Of Greenock, who
have another similar vessel on the stocks, which
will be ready for launching in the cor rse of few
weeks. The Asia is propelled by two engines Of
100 horse power each, having all tho modern inn
rroverncnts. -Four boilers arc used for supplying
the steamer, 80 crrsnged in compartments that any
ono may he separately worked Unnecessary, in case
Of accident or when cleaning is required. The
engine hose is exceedingly commodious; IL is di.
vidcd into two stories, landings, with iron galie-
ries, 80 that sny part Of the machinery may be
reached with The greatest facility, without mo-
ments lose Of time. 10 the engineering depart
ment there Is the superintendent, or principal en-
gineer, and six assistants, with thirty stokers and
coal iinmers. All these men are provided with
suiablc bcriha, and large mess-room on the up
rer deck. The engine stands On bed plate. Of
one casting, and about thriyfour tons weight, so
that all vibration is done away WITH and the engine
worls with nuuch etceset ease and freedom.
The following ore the dimensions of the YES