The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-01-22
TIE UniItd ETates Commercial steam Ma
.ane. and the secretary OF the Navy.

TIE United Irates Commercial steam Ma
.sne, and the Secretary OF the Navy.
We referred, a few days since to that part OF the
message of Mr.. Preston, Secretary of the Navy, IN
which he re Colnmenos that hereafter all steamships
INTENDED for government purposes should be con-
stucted under the direction of the government, at
their own navy yards. We promised to give our
readers some more light the subject In a little
while. Since then, we have the best reason for
knowing that our remarks on the absurdity of Mr..
preston's proposition and recommendation are
responded TO by the whole community, and that no
such plan he proposes can ever be successfully
adopted. Mr.. Preston's weakness and ncompe-
tency for The Office which he holds are apparent,
when take up his proposition, and then refer
to the way in which government steamships have
been built by the government, and compare them
when completed with steamships that have been
constructed under the new system, which he wishes
10 abolish, well in point of usefulness as ex-
pense, as shall show conclusively by and by.
When the practicably of navigating the ocean
by steam successfully demonstrated, it became
apparent that such a new and powerful element
would be taken advantage of by all maritime
nations, well for commercial as fer naval pur-
poses Accordingly, the British mercantile pub
lie Immediately entered upon the enterprise IN
1so7, and constructed several steamships which
Piled regularly for year or two between England
and the United States. But it was found that
without government assistance the undertaking
could not succeed in its infancy, and accordingly
the government ofthat country, with characteristic
hberalty in all Mates concerning their commercial
and naval interests, entered into contracts for the
transportation of the mails different parts of tAe
world; and, from that time 10 the present. the same
- L
possess a formidable fleet of ocean steamships,
traversIDe every sea, and capable, IN few days,
notice, OF being converted into vessels of war
The union Of government assistance with COM
nercal enterprise, in that country, was. therefore,
eminently successful. After great deal Of dis
cussion and inquiry, in which Captain Brownen, Of
the navy, took an efficient part, the same system
was adopted by the United States, under the
sanction Of Congress. A contract was made with
certain parties in New York, for carrying the mail
TO Bremen and Southampton, and in accordance
Herewith, the steamships Washington and Her.
mann were constructed. Although these were
the first commercial steamships that were built IN
this country, they on the whole very credita-
bic to the United States; and if they were not as
perfect IN every respect the English steamers
were they encouraged the hope that in a little time,
Istence, the United States would 90 on improving
until we should have feet Of steamships equal,
If not superior, 10 any in the world, available at
any moment for the naval service Of the country, in
case any emergency should occur that would rem
der their use in that capacity necessary. Addi-
uonal contracts have been made under this system,
in pursuance Of which we have splendid mail
steamships treversing both the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans, the Gulf OF Mexico, and other seas; and
new line for European service is being constructed
by Mr. T.. X. Collins, Of this city, which, when
finished, will compare isvoraby with steamships Of
any other nation.
Up 10 this time, therefore. the respective govern.
men,s Of the United States and Great Britain have
fosiered the system TO which we have referred, by
uniting their assistance with commercial enter
Prise, with the best results, in each, TO its naval
power aud commercial interests. But the present
Secretary Of the Navy, at Washington, Mr..
Pfettor, has not a mind comprehensive enough
to embrace this great subjects and, to the
establishment Of the whole country, he an
nounced, IN his recent report, that he was %.
posed TO any further union Of public and private
mems in the construction OF ocean steamships.
Tins blunderng Secretary gives it as his opinion.
that because we have navy yards, aud docks, aud
machinery shors, and so forth, belonging to tie
government, therefore il would be better for ,he
government 10 return 10 the old system, end build
ITS own steamships. Il never occurred TO him-or
he never knew, perhaps-that all the efforts OF the
government 20 build vessels Of this descri2t
have ended IN nothing but expense and disgrace to
the county Look at the war steamers Missouri
and Mississippi, which were built 10y the govern
meui, and compare them with the Wa.hiog,on and
Hermann, built by private persons, and capable Of
beng converted into vessels q war at a very tri-
fling expense, and alta few days notice. We shall
give the comparative cost Of each, and the compare.
tive u,siulness of each, and show the utter igno-
rance, imbecliiy, and .,etkness-if not worse
of Mr.. Preston, IN advocating return 10 the Old
system.
Cot 81 he T. s steam fhrate Missouri
built o. The Brooklyn Navy lard. IN the
y'st lt5g-to a. cou plead Ia lsi2. To-
Cot 81 L. mail steamer wa.hiseton.
equal ih siae aud sirsngt and ~ all 0ther
rsqscts; bulls 10 month aud - days. 2ji 900 90
The washington cost han the Missouri $50 Ii0 40
The Hermann, whics is larger than either, cost
q traction over 100000 Il costs about $4,000
mere for enc Of these steamers, ia accommodi.
tors tnd 'u:niure for passengers, than It would if
III, were intended to be merely men Of war.
The Niftoun was intended as a sea steamer, to
cross Tie Atlantic by steam, to carry her anna
meni stores, men, fuel, and # necessary, to act as
tfsnspor', aud accommodate tive regiments Of
soldiers THIS was what she was to be able to do.
She Old cross, The Atlantic to be sure, but she took
about twenty days to do IL, with the and Of sails.
not beng abe to carry fuel enough She could /
not carry all her armament she could hardly find |
room to berth her crew, 200 men, and could not, of
course, take the two regiments as a transport.
Tie Washington, Of the same size. has had 200
passengers 81 men and officers, 500 tons Of Ire sh
and canicd fuel-hayng, as she frequently does.
from 30 to 800 tons Of coal on board on her ARR.
val. She has made the shortest passage yet made !
from New York to England. she has run over
5000 miles since she commenced, without a
rrnefal oxffhanlinR The Nissonn was hunt afier