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

Fhoxress OF stehm NoSiS"uohs
The year 1850 will be remarkable in the annals
OF steam navigationj do not aude 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 Mr.. 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 find therein compensation for In,
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- emnence to
regain IL may be that average Of voyages
few hours will be found to the credit of that com
pany, but the great superiority has, for the mo
ment, vanished, and they must do better or be con
tented with an equal participation of glory. That
do better there is little doubt, and il will
long, be duty to describe the means by
which that better not only can, but will, be accom-
plished in this country. While, however, public
attention has been attracted to what the Examine
lately described "Atlantic racing,' there has
been gathering in every corner of the empire fleet
Of steam vessels, fitted with small engines propelled
by the screw, and destined to act a more import
ant part in the commercial history of the world
than their more mighty sisters of the
We may take some credit to this journal as the
constant supporter Of the screw propeller In early
days, and amidst evil report, we maintained il
efficacy; and now that wider field has been opened
and more extendedtrial for the first time allowed,
tb,ra 81 ,,Cs,
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, as 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 unrivaed ships, have no doubt
been returned tenfod to the country by the facili-
ties which they have given to trade; and perhaps
the public money has never been, not spent but
employed to greater advantage. new principle
comes now to claim its share of encoura cement
from the State, and has obtained it, 1t is not diff
navigation by means of the screw. A vessel OF
300 tons, 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 q
speed of nine knots per hour in direct line from port
to port, with two hundred horse power. There will
be, consequently, one half less fuel necessary, and
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 perfecting 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 10 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 avow 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, doubt, will bring improve
nents 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 lttl,
reason to fear its gradual adoption in almost every
branch of our mercantile marine, the royal navy
will derive small advantage from the expert
encc which will be gained by this first application
of the principle to ocean line.