The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-08-04
Marine Affairs.

erEAsIsHIP PRonErHEus.-A large concourse Of per-
assembled yesterday afternoon the yard Of Mr.
j. smonson foot of Eighteenth street. to witness the
entire Of this splendid steamer into her native element
She is the pioneer of the Pacific Ship Canal Com pany
line Of steamers and is very beautifully modelled
three decked vessel with very extensive accommoda-
tions for both freight and passengers. The launch
went of at about the advertised hour, in beautiful
style amidst the hearty cheers Of the people lining the
shore She Afterwards taken in tow and conducted
to the Morgan Iron Works where she will receive her
engine We gave full description Of her dime nsions
yesterday A. probably the history Of the olos
cAlindividual whom abe Is named amer, may not be
fully known to all our readers and TO those whose
knowledge Of mythology needs rereehng the follow
Ing condensed biography Of Prometheus will not be
uninteresting -
Prometheus was, doubtless one .. In, hrst civil.
zers Of man kind. He frst yoksd the or, and disci-
pned the horse; he taught the of are the
ventor OF letters; he instructed cultivate and
refine their manners and to examine the laws of
ture that the treasures hidden in the earth m"ht be
brought forth and made serviceable. Because Prone
theus employed Are more curiously and successfully
than other he is said to have stolen II from hes
ven lie accused Of having taken this FIRE from
the chariot of the sun but he probably obtained by
eones ntratng the suns rays, as may be done with
burning glass and this ignorant persons considered
stealing from heaven 1t was asserted that he formed
statues into which he transfused ere from heaven,
which gave them life. Jupiter not having succeeded
In making the benevolent Prometheus unhappy. sent
Mercury and Vulcan to seine and chain him TO Mount
Caucasus. There vulture commanded to prey
upon his liver, which reproduced soon Il was de-
voured, 90 that he doomed TO eternal suferiugs
Hercules killed the vuiture, and liberated Prone
theusm
Commodore Vanderbilt has displayed great taste In
the naming Of this beautiful ship wonder that
some person has not chosen the name Of Pronetheus
for steamship before; but as II Is the Commodore
stands alone for there Is not probably In the whole
world besides this, vessel Of any description Of that
name.
THE STEAMSHIPS ARcrIo AND BALrc.--The Arctic and
Baltic the third and fourth Of the splendid steamships
Of the Collins line approaching completion very
rapidly and will be ready TO take their places In that
line about the first of October next The one il
lying at the Novelty Works where she lie taking in
her machinery, and the other at the AlIaire Works
Both viii be ready for at nearly the same time
They are Of superior model, and their machinery will
have doubt be perfect at least that Of the
Atlantic and Pacific, which L. saying a great deal
They will be Gtted up and decorated In tn. same style
Of mngniheence aud grandeur the two first vessels
Of this celebrated lire. Their accommodations for
passenger slso will be equal te those Of the Atlantic
and Pacific or in ether words pains expense
being spared to render them all that could be desired
in that and every other respect may be ~ possible
that these vesses will excel the srst Of the lise
In some respects, because X Collins ESQ the origi-
nator OF the line, and the srent in New York had
an opportunity Of observing the respects In which the
oAnttt otueieuts hecOr&ing TO his notions,
although there never q vet whe sailed in
either the Atlantic or Paciac who could detect the
absence Of anything that tended their speed or the
comfort Of their passengers still however Mr.
Collins fexperiencede eye may ind deaciences
in the Atlanti and Pacific which he will supply in
the Arctic and Baltic " IL possible even Tor him
TO do 20. The Arctic H. understand. larger than
the Atlsntic, BY one hundred and dy tons she will
be commanded by Captain Luce. long and 90 favor
ably known 60 the travelling public from his connec.
tion with our best packet ships. Captain Luce ia
besides being one q moet skilfui navigstors a
perfect gentleman In every Of the aud his
commanding the Arctic will, Independent Of the hne
qualities Of thst vessel make her favorite With the
public We may say the same Of Captain Comst ock
who IL TO command the Baltic Indeed both Of these
gentlemen well known that they need praise
Lieutenant Lowsry. 4. & n. the drst ofacer Of the
Arctic, also favorably known lie was until recently
the second ofcer Of the Atlsntic His urbanity aud
politeness 20 al Who approach him either business
OF for the purpose 81 Information admirably at him
70 hold such important once that Of drst officer
en- board Of one Of model American tteamships
liz " emnently practical man In regard 70 steam.
chips having been uncer for years on board Of
our govsrnmtnt steamers We may add that the
interior decorations OF both the Baltic and Arctic are
being executed by the skilfui architect. Mr. Plat
whose beautiful workmanshp on the Atlantic and
Pacific, has ELECTED the wsrmest admiration from ali
who ave seen ". in England well ss IN New York