The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-11-17

which stove boats, tore away part OF the bul-
wark swept the deck and came rushing down
the cabin--causing the greatest CONSERVATION
among the passengers, and filling the state
rooms so deep with water that the trunks and
other luggage hoated about in them. have
given these particulars because ! know there
is still belief abroad that the Cunard ships
are the best to encounter heavy weather.
On arriving at liverpool, felt anxious to
know the result Of the Arahia's last trip with
the Arctic. and found it most deplorable for
the credit Of the former ship-the crack ship.
and the boast Of the London Times. | found
her a ship Of much less tonnage than any OF the
Collins line with about twenty per cent more
power of engine, very long low, and SHARP,
evidently designed to OutStrip all competitors
Bat she had only outstripped herself; that is
the engine outstripped the hull. The Arctic
beat her nearly two days; and yet, such wa
the press OF steam carried by the Arabia, that
her tor-sides were literally strained opJn. As
the sailors say. she came into port with them
As open as a seine and had to be immediate.
ly taken into dock, with as little said about It
as possible. had the curiosity to visit the
dock, for the purpose Of satisfying myself
The whole interior Of the ship bore strong cyi
dence Of her troubles, while the seams around
her top were undergoing a process under the
mallet and caplklng IRON which tells the tale
Of ships troubles
The fact was, the Arabia had not breadth Of
beam enough 10 carry out the boast Of the
London Times nor would she "St0Hd on her
jCCL' under the enormous pressure Of steam
put upon her having no floor to sustain her
self She has undergone several alterations,
one Of which was additional thick strakCs Oh
her BEND with which it is hoped she viii per
form rhc desired Juty-beat any OF the Collins
line. Nautical men well know, that with such
defects f cons truction-want of beam. and too
much dead rise on the h)or-no Bulge hampers
can effect a remedy. a gentleman, who came
passenger by her on this tub voyage, tod me
he would about as soon have crossed in u shower
bath as far rs comfort was concerned.
Of the fare and attendance on board the
Collins line, 1t would he needless TO epeak
And yet, notwithstanding the sumptols fare,
which has been so often described by foreign.
ers in terms Of admiration, there are Amer.
cans fastIdIous enough to grumb.e over It,
will only cay, he who cannot be satisfied with
the fare on a Collins steamer, canno5 be sauS
fed 1T the ST. Nicholas nor the Astor. One |
line cannot boast much over the other in this |
respect: but. rs it was my intention to speak
only Of their relative qualities for heavy wealth
or, will ray nothing further upon that score
nor shall | pay any compliments to the cap
tains for their courteous attention to passen
gcrs-thcy are paid to be courteous and atten-
tive, and compliments for doing their duty have
become much too cheap Of late.
Americans should feel proud Of such noble
specimens Of marine architecture as the Col
los steamships are Their mercantile marine
attracts the admiration Of the world ana
when, in foreign countries tainted by foreign. I
rs about almost everything that is American, !
hey can turn to their mercantile marine with
feelings of pride and defiance. a.