The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-09-10
Ocean Steamers Racing.

The following judicious remarks are from the
Albany Euening Journal, whose editor. having re
Gently returned from trip to Europe, is enabled
to speak from personal observation and expe-
rence:
"In the competition that exists between the no.
BILE ships Of the Collins and Cunard lines there are
more perils than even passengers dream Of. So
far life has been wonderfully preserved. And
while all is safe say without offence to any,
that fearful responsibility rests upon the officers
of these vessels For the sake Of gaining few
hours on a voyage. not only these ships but the
lves of all on board have been often jeopardized.
In thesc cases the officers have been as watchful
and vigilant as was possible under such circum-
voidable character, to which others are supper.
added by efforts to make "the shortest passage on
record"
"The speed of these ships has been fully tried
and ascertained That speed is all that ID or should
be required. Hepceforth the object should be to
make SAFE voyages The struggle to cross the
Atlantic in less than TEN DAYS involves too much
hazard of life. True it has been safely accom-
plished, and may be again, But the effort is not
made without infinite peril.
"Gencrally the passengers on board our Attain
tic steamers more to blame for the racing than
the officers. The moment steamer leaves New
York or Liverpool passengers begin to settle upon
the day and even the hour OF her arrival. ex-
poets to take such train on given day for Lon
don or Manchester, or for Philadelphia or Boston.
B wants TO breakfast or dine with his family on
such day and d have written to their friends
or agents that they will meet them on day or
hour named. And those reasonable people, all i'm
patient to fulfil their engagements, are quite ner-
vous and unhappy if the steamer does not work out
her daily three hundred miles! And worse than
this is a vicious system of betting among the pas
seneers, not only on the hour Of the steamers ar.
rival, but upon each days work. The is carried
to dangerous lengths, for the sums bet are fire.
quently SO large that, if the engineers were cnpa
BILE of being tempered with, there would be no Sc.
curty for their steadness and prudence. AS it is,
we know that the mates, pilots, and engineers Of
steamers get their feelings more less interested
in the bets of their friends, and there is danger in
that, even If they are not to win or lose them
selves. This species of gambling among steam
ers' passengers, upon the speed of the vessels ia
fraught with danger, and ought to be broken up.
eve know officers of Atlantic steamers with
whom we would commit ourselves and all that is
dear to u.s. with cheerful conviction that no dan
ger which human skill. prudence and watchfulness
can avoid, would be incurred, More enlightened
commanders, more excellent seamen, or more es
Unable men, are not to be found. These gentle.
men know all the dangers and appreciate all the
responsibilities of their position. But even on
board our very best steamers we believe that efforts
to make less than ten-day voyages should cease
and we are sure that betting on the speed OF the
steamers should be prohibited"