The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-05-19
Atlantic steam Navigation.
WASHINGTON. May Is, 1853

10 the Editor of The Union:
viii you obge me so much as to devote few OF the
columns of the "Unon to the publication OF the follow
ing extracts from work which has just appeared in
London from the pen of Capt, McKnnen. of the royal
navy, entitled 1.-The Resources and Settlements OF Amer
ica'"
In The comparison which Captain Mex. draws be-
tween the steamers "Ballc" aud "America," although
possessing his knowledge with respect to "old Nep
tunes ways" the OF resisting them by arch
tectura scientific skill can in the main, bear conobo
rative testimony
Upon reaching New York, after the termination Of
the first homeward voyage of the "Atlantc," | ex-
pressed my belief, in note 10 friend, which found
its way into the newspapers that ocean steam navigation,
under the auspices OF the United States, would be
perfected in five years, that passenger might attend
Sunday morning service in New York, and afternoon
vice in Liverpool the Sunday following If Messrs f.
X Collins & Co. furnished with sufficient means
to build such steamer Capt. Comstock and Mr.. Rob
ertson chie engineer OF the Bac) DESTROYS OF
mandRg and propelling, quite confident, when the
winds not uafavorable this result may be attained
During my recent voyage 10 the United States on the
Baltic" my amor patriT excited TO an nordna,e
degree by her wonderful performances Turning her
stem in the direction OF the great West the goth ultmo,
about nghtia against adverse gales the noble steamer
apparently conscious OF her power moved maestcally
onward separating the "mounlain waves" which offered
resistance with that that the monarch OF the forest
would resist the bulrush From the time OF her dismiss
ing her pilot in the British channel, until receiving
another on this side OF the waters, the motion of her
gines ceased-no making at any time less, well
as recoliect, than thirteen knots an hour.
Capt Comstock is OF Natures nobemen, than
whom his superior was never created by privilege
birth in any realm Capable, intelligent, energetic
everywhere upon his vessel that he ought to beand
with kind word upon his lips for each passenger, he
reaches my beau idea Of fines, for such position.
But will turn from him TO Mr.. Robertson, the chief
engineer. The young eagle in his eyry silently
the space betwixt himself and the Young Robert
son, for he is only eight and twenty never
crossed the Atlantic until he took the Baltic in 1851
and whenever | beheld him during the voyage which
frequent, he seemed 10 be measuring the space be-
twixt the Baltic and the confines of perfection in
steam navigation. He entertains confident belief that
an engine can be constructed that will prope vessel
FIVE hundred feet long, and OF 5000 tons, from eighteen to
twenty miles hour in good sea, and twelve miles
against head winds. la this belief Captain Comstock
concurs.
year ago our laudable aspirations for supremacy in
upon the ocean derded not only England but
throughou continental Europe Now the opinion is be-
coming general that at least compete with that
power which was without rival until very recently.
In four years more under proper national encouragement,
we shall have larger of steam tonnage than all
the world beside, and that OF much more efficient quail
ity IL desire eternal peace let us inspire the respect
and excite the apprehension OF such nations OF the earth
as would avert the tide OF reaction which threatens 10
ovefwhem them by the example OF this republicans
tons to whose confines it is distinctly conceived that all
prog ess is sautary-tbrough the agency oil steam
camille marine
The Union abounds with unknown Comsocks and
young Robertsons, who desire other glory than 10
aid in developing and more It's great name II a
stes mer can be constructed to twenty miles
hour upon the can, is there individual throughout
the vas, length and breadth OF this land who wonld be
UNIV Hing to contribute in small degree, TO raise the
sum necessary 10 accomplish result that would give
more Just fame than any victory could gain in
battle with powerful enemy
THE RESOURCES AND SETTLEMENTS OF AMERI.
CA BY CAPTAIN McKlNNEN, X. N.
The Atlantic is now so completely brdged by the
magnificent steamers of Csuard and Collins, that vey
age across The has become mere pleasure tip.
As have a popular account contrasting the
performances OF these great lines, propose TO give a
sailors experience Of a voyage to New York by Gu
nard steamship the "America" and return voyage 10
Liverpool by the Collins vessel, the baltic"
AT IL, a. m on the 10th july 1852, found myself
and luggage board the steam at the place OF
barkauon at Liverpool. and IN few minutes was con-
veyed along side the Cunafd vessel America. The pas
sengers who crowded the deck of the little tug
anxously scanning everything about them, and doubt
specializing on the characters Of those with whom they
were to be closely packed ~ for the ten days
The passengers by transatlantic mail steamer are OF
numerous class the great manufacturing houses in
Engand have discovered that Brother Jonathan is after
all. one of our best customers.
Although every arrangement IN the America" was
substantial and good, and The captain experienced and
able officer, there was degree OF pompous mystery in
the arrangements OF the vessel very much in contrast with
the Yankee steamers For instance, II impossb bic
TO get the ships daily any information OF her po
siton. If passenger ventured to ask question from
of the officers, he met with suen reply part OF
the upper deck denied TO The passengers unless es
pecial friends of the officers These rhes caused
certain degree OF restraint and formed topic OF CONVEX
saon amongst the American passengers, who could not
fail to the contrast thus afforded to the universal and
cordial civiy and attention in Yankee vessels.
The America" although one oil the Oldest and slow
est OF the Canard line, is very good vessel upon
starting from Liverpool deeply laden with cargo and
Goals, her speed did not exceed eight and hall knots
per hour which gradually increased TO nearly ten, as, IN
proportion TO the consumption OF her uel, her weight
was diminished Nothing could exceed the smoolbness
and beauty with which the engines performed their
work Fortunately, the ocean was smooth as glass, and
the after meeting twice at the dnnertable
became socabe and friendly. Some Canadians
aboard who very freely expressed their opnions, partc
uarly as 10 treatment they bad met IN England One
gentleman TO the great edlhcaton OF our Yankee fellow
voyaaers described his attempt TO visit Portsmouth dock
ward - went down." said he. " with two American
friends with whom had been stopping in London TO
see the dock yard at Portsmouth. On giving our
names al The gate, my American friends put down their
reside noes in certain American towns which bore Eng
sh names, and allowed proceed without further
my place of residence. Immediately the official pro-
nounced TO be foreignsr, adding that my adm ssion
could not be permitted
Several Intelligent American ship masters and builder,
likewise board and The celebrated constructor
OF the Marco Polo," from New Brunswick The con.