The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-07-20
Our Travelling Correspondence.

Pacific Steamship LiW-Presentation of Charts
by Captain Ringgoh, Of the Nary-Particu,ars
Of tie Run of the Ship-7he Nursery ofthe Golden
Gale Sayings and Doings of Mr.. Webag-Er-
petition to the Congo River Complaint of the Want
Of Buoys of the Harbor of Ne,o York-Amuse-
menfs on Board, &c.
According to promise, proceed to give you fur.
Their particulars Of the delightful excursion board
the steamship Golden Gate, as well the incidents
of the voyage from Annapolis to New York. 1t is
worthy 10 be recorded that from the earliest days
of ship building to the present time, and of all the
Entertainments given the occasion of trial trips
of vessels the present was exceeded, neither
with regard to the magnfcence of the constr cton
of the ship, the generosity and liberaity displayed
by Mr. Aspinwall in the sumptuous fare provided,
nor the distinguished guests who were on board,
to say nothing Of the distance and pleasantness of
the voyage, or of the high enjoyment that pre-
vailed.
1t may not be generally known, that Mr.. Aspin-
wall is the pioneer Of the great line of steamships
now floating in the Pacific Ocean, and running
from Panama to San Francisco. The keel of the
first steamship for California laid by him in
Dec, mber, 1885, and sailed the first of October,
1874 period Of hardly twenty-one months ago
and yet, at this day. there are fifteen magnificent
steamers now ploughing the waters of the Pacific,
built 6y the enterprise, energy, and talent Of Will
liam II Aspinwall. The great feature in connection
with this enterprise is that they did not wait to es-
tablish ship yards or workshops at Panama or San
Francisco, in order to repair their steamers, but
each vessel carried out in her all the mechanics
tools. iron, timber, and everything else that was
necessary to provide against accidents, and repair
them as soon US they occurred. This is the great
superiority which We enjoy over the English steam
ers. The difference is, that our mechanics act and
uDQerstaudnQly. he in Mt ha
moment of its occurrence, while the English, not
beng thus provided wait to send their We ,scls home
and repair them afterwards.
During the trip splendid set of charts of the
coast and ports of California, dedicated to VIM. H.
hspinwall, Esq, was presented to the ship Golden
Gate by Cadwalader Ringgold, Commander U. S
made by Commander Ringgold himself, and do
honor to his talent and profession.
Our run from Cape Henry to Sandy Hook Light,
was made in twenty two hours, notwithstanding
the vessel was stopped several times to get sound
ings, snd heavy souall, early Thursday morning,
caused the ship to make great run off from the
coast, which consequently added greatly to her dis
lance. She made rs high seventeen and half
revolutions, and averaged fourteen during the trip
Once or twice the machinery became heated, as
is generally the case with all new engines,
that the speed of the vessel not tried. omit
ted to state in describing her machinery, that her
boilers are built on a somewhat novel construction,
called horizontal tubular boilers. She has two aft
and two foreward Of her engine, with five rooms in
lt, q
row Of furnaces on each side. Her engines are
nCminally OF 800 horse power each, but are really
of shout 800 horse power
We bad fine moonlight nights and n smooth sea
the most ofthe trip, and the passengers preferred
sitting up on deck to late hour, rather should
FAY, an carly one, listening to songs and stories,
than to going below. There was one spot below,
however. which was very attractive. This the
family room, containing two or three stat rooms.
and several open berths, which occupied by a
hun Der Of the distinguished guests, all of whom
were over six feet in stature, and many of them
wore large boards and moustachios. This room
dubbed "the nursery" and pretty set of chill
dren occupied il. do assure you. A large trunk
In the centre Of this served for a sideboard,
which waiter was placed, containing mysterious
black looking bottles, and huge pitcher which
swt ated uuder the load Of ice il contained. The
highest digntaries on board the ship were frequent
ly seen paying visits to this room, not excepting
even gentlemen Of the cloth. Occasionally loud
bursts Of laughter would be heard emanating from
'the nursery,," and ocboing through the ship but
! could not learn the mysterious cause which pro-
cuccd them. Some said unrevealed knockings"
were TO be beard there, but it noticed that the
laughing generally prevailed whom the children
we being put to bod.
kir Webster came aboard the ship in an old
white bat and brown frock coat, looking more like
a New Hampshire farmer than the great Ameri ian
statesman. He knocked about the ship lust as ho
ased, no one pretending TO approach or interrupt
him. AT one time he would play with littlo child
thtn walk forward and converse with sailor, then
examine toe engine, and make pleasant and com
mun-I lace observations to any one who happened to
be near. Ia a conversation with Capt. Graham,
who had travelled all over the world, in speaking of
Africa, Mr.. We lister said he desired before he with
drew member Of our government, to zoe an OK
petition carried out to the Congo river. which Capt
Abbott, OF the navy, was very anxious TO explore.
Capt. Abbott is Of the opinion that back from the
coast OF Africa there exists "a healthy mountainous
country, ind a superior race Of beings, which he
thinks are the defendants Of tho lost tribes of
Israel Mr. Webster appears rather feeble from
his late aiduous duties in the State Department.
but, not withstandng is in fine spirits lie is on his
way 10 bis MArshdeld farm where he intends re-
u'anrg in quiet, orefresh himself and improve his
be alth.
I he pilot who took W out Sandy Hook, Mr. John
Maginn IL one Of the oldest out Of New York, anl
was fret commissioned some thirty years ago, by
apt Samuel G. Reid when that gentleman vas
Warden Cf the port. Mr.. Maginn went with
the whole trip. and ran to Washington to see
Lieut. Rache, Of the Coast Survey, concerning the
buoys of the harbor Of New York, but he was alb
sent Mr.. Msginn complains very much of the
Irts,It huoys, which old, leaky, aud half SUNK,
20 that they cannot be seen. lie says we want new
buoys from the bar to the tail of the =. w. bank
that there should be two the bar, ono at the :.
W spit. one large bell buoy on Films kaoll, one
N the upper middle. and one on the tail Of the
Wet bark; that for the preservation Of life and
lrtperty, these buoys should be onc-thifd larger
than their present sze and restored to their forDe
color. Of white and black, instead of red and black
This is certainly very important matter, and de-
serves TO be more particularly noticed than the
short mention Of the subject in a letter. Not only
pilots. but our merchants and insurance compa.
uies, are deeply interested in the establishment Of
pew buoys at once. The attention Of the Light
House Eoard Of Commissioners should be called to
It, rs well as that Of the Secretary Of the Trcaury.
Among the norables on board, should not for
get 20 mention Doctor Valentine, who is well known
ms Joe Miller. The Doctor on several occa sious
told us funny stories, gave Rotations aud im
tstiors Of old men, women, children, Sc aud
greatly amused US. There many little incidents
h. wprp
written out, would Prove highly interesting; but /
must bring my log book 20 a close; and in doing so,
! feel assured that all who were on board will join
nc in the expression of the highest terms Of the
officers &C this noble vessel. Every attention and
courtesy was paid us, especially by Mr.. Constable,
the storekeeper Of the ship, whose gentlcmably
rers and anxious socitude for our comforts, well
desefve psssiDg word
1 rin hv nj opnitt IN ala hiatt ba