The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-21


Ocean steam Navisatien-Ihe Collins Line
Or Steamships.
1t must be Confessed that the fact of the
Arctic and Baltic, Of the Collins line Of New
York and Liverpool steamships not having
left Liverpool with a sufficient quantity of
coal, and a large portion Of the public having
entertained the most gloomy torebodings tor
the safety of the Atlantic, recently damaged,
in a great measure, the reputation of that
line in the estimation of the community. Many
were inclined to believe that the British we're cor
rect in saying that the Americans could not build
steamships to enco unter the Atlantic ocean during
the boisterous season-that no matter how rapidly
they sailed in summer, or how short their passages,
they were not, from their large dimensions, suita-
BILE for encountering storms and hurricanes in win
ter.
But when the causes of the detentons of
these steamships are calmly investigated, what do
they amount to?
They amount to this, and no more-tAat from
a miscalculation as TO the quantity of coal re-
quired for a winter passage against opposing
winds and seas, the Arctic and the Baltic
got out of fuel when within sixty hours of their
port OF destination, and that the ma shaft of the
Atlantic broke when that vessel was steaming in
the face of the ssverest gale that has agtated the
waters of the Atlantic ocean in many years The
first arose from a miscalculation, caused by the
want of experience. Experience in this matter
has been gained in such manner as will etiectu-
ally obviate hereafter, all definitions from similar
cause. We venture to say that never again will
any vessel of the Collins line be detained on her
passage on account of the fuel giving out AS to
the eecond-the breaking OF the Atlantic's shaft
that was an accident which could not have been
foreseen, and to which all vessels propelled by
aeam are liable. With all our experience in
building river boats, hardly summer passes that
the shafts of some of our magnificent floating pa
laces on the Hudson river do not break. The
same thing happens on the lakes, as we'll as on the
Mississippi and other rivers. Similar casualties
have befalleR some of the steamships of the Gu
nard line About the time that the Atlantic sshaft
was broken, the same part of the machinery OF
British steamship plying between the cities OF
Glasgow and Dublin, likewise gave way. Ii is
evident therefore, that il is not unusual occur
renee for steamship to break her shaft and that
all vessels are subject to it at any moment.
On review of all the facts and circumstances
connected with these steamships in their late pas
sages, we have he station in saying that the line
to which they belong is more popular now than 1t
ever was with the public, and that more confidence
in their strength safety, and sea-worthiness is enter
tanned than there ever was. Every one is satisfied
that none of them will again be short of coal; and,
on the other hand, all convinced that if any of
the accidents hould occur to them, 10 whch all
steamships-no matter where built or TO whom
belopging-are liable, they can be relied upon for
reaching port in safety by the aid Of canvass alone.
In accomplishing a distance Of eleven hundred
miles in eleven days, by sails simply, the Atlantic
proved herself to possess uncommony hne sailing
qualities II is much TO be doubted whether any
vessel, except those belonging to the Collins line,
could do so well under the same circumstances
BY nautical men of skill and experience, that run
is considered very great feat.
In consequence of the immense outlay incurred
in constructing these steamships, and considering
the importance ofmalntainng them in the best run
ming order, the sum allowed by government for
carrying the mails is entirely inadequate We
must encourage that and every other line of steam
ships, and promote The construction OF additional
lines, until we have steam fleet equal to that of
any other nation, and equivalent to the wants of
the country. We have been ierced into friendly
rivalry with Great Britain for the supremacy of the
seas; and having accepted the gauntlet, we cannot
retire from the contest without national disgrace.
The question now is, not exactly whether the Collins
line shall excel the Cunard line, but whether this
country shall acknowledge that it is unable to con-
pete with Great Britain in ocean steam navigation,
and strike its flag. All that the propretors of the
Collins line ask, TO be placed on termso Of equality
with The Cunard line; and we are well convinced
that if our government would extend TO them the
same facilities that are extended TO the Gun ard line
by the British government, we need have no fear
ofthe result. The steamships of the Collins line
have been proved be equal TO the struggle Shall
they be Grip led for the want OF one or two hun
bred thousand dollars ayearl Shall they be rem
deIed unequal to the contest, for the want of rlhe
over sixteen thou.and dollars a month Is the re-
putaton OF the country Of such little account that
we are willing 10 "cry enough" after single year,
in a struggle with a nation who vauntingly styles
herself the "misress Of the seas" for superiority
on an element which she claims is peculiarly her
own : Forbid il patriotism forbid it American
feeling
OCEAN FAvoEs.-We are under many obga.
tons to Captain Comstock, and Mr.. Canning the
Purser, OF the Baltic, for late papers and the latest
felf or sphic despatcbes from London