The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-08-20

lowing terms:
"The Princeton is 'full-rigged ship Of great
speed and power, able to perform any service that
| can be expected from ship Of war. Constructed
upon the most approved principles of naval ar
chitecure, she is believed to be at least equal to
any ship of her class icih her sails. She has, also,
an auxiliary power of steam, and can make
greater speed than any sea going steamer or
other vessel, heretofore built. Her engines lie
snug in the bottom Of the vessel, out OF reach OF
an enemy shot, and do not at all Interfere with
the use of the sails but can at any time be made
AUXILIARY thereto. She shows chimney, and
makes no smoke; and there is nothing in her ex-
terna appearance to indicate that she is propelled
by steam.
"The advantages of the Princeton over both
sailing ships and steamers propelled in the usual
way are great and obvious. She can go in and
| out of port at pleasure, without regard to the
force or direction of the wind tide or the thick
ness of the ice. She ride safely with her
anchors in the most open roadstead; and may lie
to- in the seyerest gale of wind, with safety She
not only save herself, but will be able to tow
squadron from the dangers of lee shore, using
ordinarily the power of the wind, and reserving
her fuel for emergencies. She can remain at sea
the same length of time other sailing ships.
Making no noise, smoke, or agitation OF the
water, (and if she chooses, showing sail,)
she can surprise enemy. She can, at pleasure,
take her own position and her own distance from
an enemy. Her engines and water-wheel being
below the surface of the water, safe from
enemy's shot, she is in no danger of being dis
abled, even if her masts should be destroyed
She will not be at a daily expense for fuel, as
other steamships The engines being seldom
used, will probably outlast twosuch ships. These
he D~tp IN, ripiO
the cheapest, fastest, and most certain ship OF
in the world"
The results have amply sustained the state
ments of Commodore STOCKTON. There was
no steamship in the service that rivalled the
Princeton in usefulness during the operations
in the gulf in the Mexican war. During her
trip to the Mediterranean she was the wonder
and admiration Of nautical men in every port.
She was the first ship that solved successfully
the problem of propulsion, and demon
strated its advantages for many naval purposes
over the use of side-wheels. With the contri-
vances that have been since devised, for blend
ing more successfully the perfect sailing ship
with the perfect steamer, it is difficult to con-
ceive of any good reason for constructing any
ship of war without steam power auxiliary
to the sails.
But though all the advantages set forth in
Commodore STocKToN's letter were Just rs
clearly established seven years ago as they are
now, yet, such is JACKS aversion to steam,
according to Mr. CoLToN's testimony, that the
Princeton has never yet been reproduced in
our navy. Her beautiful engines and steam
machinery, entirely below the water-line; so
simple as almost to preclude the possibility
of arrangement, so compact as to occupy
but one-eighth Of the bulk of the British
marine engine of corresponding power, and
capable therefore of being 50 placed in the
hold as to be inaccessible to external injury :;
have outlasted and outlved her hull, and re-
main, we understand, in as perfect condition as
ever So entirely uninjured are they that Z
new ship is constructing for their reception; and
yet the first Princeton is thus far the last, for
reason that we did not fully understand until
we met with Mr.. CoLToN's explanation Of the
extent to which the sailor " deteSts steam"
Seven years ago, when there was not one of
these vessels afoat upon the ocean, and when
the engineers Were still Struggling their shout
ders with expressions of regret that man
like Ericsson should devote himself to such
chimera as this of stern propulsion, writer,
whose attention had been called to the subject,
ventured to predict that the time was not far
distant when all vessels intended for ocean nav
gation would be provided with this auxiliary
power. Some of the largest and best ships that
ply between this country and England are
thus provided at the present writing. The
advantages which these ships thus possess
give them preference over mere sail
ing ships, which will compel the latter
to seek the same auxiliary-for certainty
and speed are every thing in the transmission
Of freight as well as OF passengers. 1t is not
improbable that the prediction of 1874 will be
soon substantially realized even in the CONNER
cial marine. 1t will certainly be realized, per-
haps at an earlier period, in the naval service
unless the progress of improvement shall be
permanently arrested by JACKS hatred of limo
walton and "detestation" of steam.