The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-25
From the Ne,p York Herald
The Collins Line OF Stcamships-Trial Tr
OF the Atlantic-Success ACHE we'd at last

The Collins Line OF Steamships-Trial Trip
OF the Atlantic-succcss achieved at last.
For some time past, the attention of the whole
country has been directed towards the new Ameri-
can steamships known the f. X. Collins line,
which were constructed for the purpose Of plying
between this city and Liverpool, and at the same
time convincing the world that If we are not behind
all other nations in the splendor and speed of our
packet ships-or rather, that if we could excel
them in that kind of craft, we could do the same,
if we applied our mind to it, in steamships. Mr.
Collins did excel the world in his splendid packet
ships, and commenced the building Of five steam
ships, which, if we do not mistake very much
will, when they reach the other side of the big
pond, make impression there, and convince our
transatlantic friends TO their satisfaction that il
they can build fine steamships we can do the same
and that in that respect, as well as in others,
can justly claim to be inferior to country under
the sun
The Atlantic, the first Of Mr.. Collins's new line
being just completed, went trial trip ON Satur-
day last for the purpose Of testing the engine and
machinery so that when she starts on her regular
voyage 70 Liverpool, the 9th instant, she will
have fair play. After going down the bay short
distance she waited for the steamship Southerner,
which trades between this city and Charleston,
with the view Of giving her a brush, and trying
her mettle The Southerner is a remarkably fast
vessel and up TO Saturday last never beaten by
any thing in the shape OF n sea-craft whether pro-
PEELED by steam or otherwise She accordingly en-
tered into the spirit Of the fun, and did her best At
the time when the two vessels close together
the Atlantic was proceeding at very moderate
rate, but when they were nearly abreast the Attain
tic woke up, and determined that the saucy South
erner would accomplish a feat IL she beat her A
fair trial of speed between the two vessels then
sued the result of which was that the Atlantic shot
ahead Of her like arrow, and proved herself TO
be much faster vessel than the other. The cap
tain, crew, and passengers, were not at all mort
al
Of the vessel was and although the passengers
mostly southerners they rejoced that the Atlantic
exceled their vessel in point OF speed, because they
were Americans, and we're rejoiced at the success
Of national vessel which the Atlantic is 10 all in
tents and purposes. They accordingly cheered her
as she passed them right heartily, and were much
better pleased than they would have been IL the
Southerner had beaten her.
After testing the speed Of the two vessels, the
Southerner proceeded on her course, and the Allan
tic headed towards Fire Island, and remained at sea
till yesterday morning, when she returned 70 her
dock at the foot Of Grand street. The performance
exceeded the most sanguine expectations Of every
body, even Mr.. +. X. Collins himself She
tried in every way, by sail and by steam, and
proved herself 10 be not only excellent boat
but very fast one. With twenty pounds ofsteam
10 the square inch, her engine rcvoved seventeen
times per minute, and she accomplished, in coming
up the bay, the almost incredible rate Of between
seventeen and eighteen miles per hour, with the
throttle valve one third closed at that At sea she
She seemed, indeed, as IL no limit could be put 10
her speed. Her beautifully formed bows offered
little resistance TO the water, and she hardly
created ruffie on the surface. In fact, at dis
lance Of a hundred yards astern, no one would sup
pose, If he had not known IT, that she had passed at
all During the trial trip, the machinery worked
most beautifully. No jar or shaking was espe-
rienced, no more than there Is felt in a drawing
room uptown by the rumbng Of carts in the street.
in fact ne much. II worked with the greatest
imaginable and regularity. Not screw even
got loose, and when she arrived at her dock she
was, in that respect, in fit condition TO undertake
her voyage 10 Europe.
We rejoice-tbe whole country will rejoice-at
the success Of the Atlantic. She has more than
equaed the expectations of her owners Of the orr
ginator of the enterprise, Mr.. Collins, and of all
concerned. She has proved herself 10 be a vessel,
the superior of which does not exist in any part Of
the world, and one that will confer credit and honor
not only Mr.. Collins but on the nation at large.
In this trial trip shc had full cargo Of coal aboard
and-drcw eighteen and half feet Of water. With
her regular cargo she will not draw more than
nineteen feet and half. We look forward 10 her
making one Of the shortest IL not the shortest pas
sage on record. There IL ono peculiarly about the
Atlantic which is we'll worthy Of mention. She
makes but one break, it IL called in the water at
the bows, and cuts the water az easily as if there
was resistance at all.
Account Of the trial trip by r.. X. Collins, esq:
Tho trial trip Of the Atlantic proved perfectly
satisfactory. Enough said.p