The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-15

TO THE EDITOR OF the NEW YORK HERALD.
In the Liverpool Courier of the Goth ult, there appears
a lengthy editorial regarding the Cunard steamer,
the Arabia in which glowingy set forth her construc
tion equipment and performances all Of which, it
in measured terms of audation would have been very
proper and just tribute to the enterprise of its country
the part of leading English paper but as it oc
eurs however there statements made therein,
which call for notice Thus the writer after declaring
that the Arabia has the largest and most powerful
engines ever put into ship" proceeds to say-"H
might be observed concerning her. that her lines
much sharper than those of any other steamer the
line -" and concludes as follows
but, it is, the company first in the field,
first in quality first in speed and first in the promise of
the future. And would also make this observation
that the Persia the first boat which has been built to
compete with other steamers all the other vessels the
line having been laid down before there two lines
steamers We do not think little of the Collins steamers
they first clsss vessels but venture to say to
them-here is the Arabia, beat her if you can"
In reply then to these several assertions, beg leave
TO say
l. That as the Arabia has several feet less beam than
either Of the steamers Collins line and has sharper
lines than any other steamer of the Cunard line i'm
porant concession the part Of competitors that
she combines with BEAM and fine lines the most
powerful engines put into ship.
That the Asia and Africa of the Cunard line were
not only not laid down before the Atlantic and Pacific
built but that they not designed when these
pioneers of the Collins line launched until after
their general capacities had been published abroad and
their hulls and engines examined by member OF the
of Napier Sons of Glasgow the builders Of all the
chinery of the steamers OF the Cunard line Further
that the engines of the Asia and Africa not decided
upon until after this period and that then decided
omake them of similar dimensions to those of the Atlantic
less measurement and in their publication of these
mansions 1t was remarked Who cH ieSo boil as to enter
tain, tor moment The absurd idea that Amerioa
pete sch England IN the CONSTRUCTION Of ocean sieaaers;"
As to the anticipated trumphs Of the Arabia vaunt
ingly put forth in the confident prediction Of Here
the Arabia beat her if you cam The Asia that left
this morning. bears home the humiating intelligence to
the editor and confdng readers OF the Courier that not
only did the Arabia fail to beat the Baltic but
strained to put into Halifax, short Of coal within only
sixteen hours Of the running time of the Baltic to New
favorable circumstances of weather and speed is forty
eight hours. The difference then between this and
teen hours hirytwo is the least difference that there
will be in the passages OF the Arabia and Baltic added to
which, it is to be borne in mind that the latter expe
rencd four days of gales aud Of heavy head
seas reducing her speed much that at the termina
ton of the first four days. she but about days
run from Liverpool under ordinary circumstances Of
weather.
Finally and in order to meet the various other asser-
tons Of the Arabia being the frsapadde wheeysteamer
in any country and Of the Cunard line being the first in
quality, &C., submit the following wagers
lone or ten thousand dollars, that each and all OF
the Collins line Of steamers superior in strength
construction and in sea going qualities to Of the
Cunard line.
2.-One Or ten thousand dollars that each and all Of
the steamers Of the Collins line, compared with the Ara
ba will make the passages from New York to Liverpool
from Liverpool to New York in summer or in winter
in equal time at a less consumption Of fuel.
Not having entered upon this subject however. with
view to answer any pecuniary ends, and having sole
y in view the correction OF and unjust pub
LEGATION of transatlantic competitors have been led
to propose these solely exponent of sin
certify, and with view to just decision Of them, If
taken, further propose that each party shall appoint
two persons engineer and the other merchant,
and that they shall select fifth person to effect de-
cision, should such measure become necessary
PLUMB BOB.