Washington sentinel., 1854-03-11

HOrtnern euge OF tne cyclone. lHlS VIII DO
plainly understood by the landsmen and un-
initiated when ] explain that the cyclones in
the northern hemisphere revolve against the
sun with q progressive motion towards south
east. The easterly breeze, therefore, could
only strike the ship in its northern extremity.
1t she had been, for instance, at the southern
extremity OF the rotatory storm, it is clear that
the wind would have been southwest until the
vortex was passed, when the southeastern
course OF the circular or whirlwind storm
would have struck the ship.
Although we were confident that our theory
was correct, yet Captain Comstock, like pru
dent, careful, and able commander, as he is,
made every preparation to withstand the worst
weather. AT this time the barometer had sunk
lower than ! ever experienced, (2S.40,) even in
the most furious storms, and the gyratory mo-
tion of the tortured and fragmented clouds in
the seamen that fearful war of the elements
was going on in that direction. The eastern
swell was now rapidly rising into heavy and
perpendicular sided sea, whose solid-looking
curly tops threatened destruction to all that
! opposed their headlong course. The wind like
wise increased in strength, urging on the too
willing waves, until they were lashed into APP
parent destructive fury.
+. Let us ascend the bridge, between the pad
die boxes, and try to describe this sublime
scene. A furious gale was raging, and wind
and waves combined were hurled with gigantic
force against the poor Baltic. To avoid rush
ing mady against the fierce watery barriers,
the engines were Stacked to nine revolutions,
and the brave vessel still held her course at the
rate of eight knots. Although the heavy spoon
drift in moment drenched everything exposed,
still the ship held on with the most extraordi
nary ease Atintervals mountain would ap-
pear approaching, giving the idea (often felt by
advance that nothing could withstand. On
ward it rolls, so high that from your elevated
! position the horizon is concealed-it is upon
US with a crash-nothing can avoid the avail
anche Of water-the decks are inundated fore
and aft
/ Not at all, the noble ship rises gently, Just
sufficient to clear the crest of the surge; her
bulwarks are even with the surface of rolling
water, but not a drop comes in. Again and
again did this happen; and although we were
drenched to the skin by the spoondrift, we were
fascinated by the wonderful triumph of the
ships course over the madly-vexed waters, and
remained in our exposed situation spell-bound
at her easy performance over such rough and
formidable obstacles. Place Cunard liner,
or any vessel, in this position with the present
lines OF English ocean steamers, and they
would ship tons and tons Of water. The heavy
bows, bow-sprt and all, would plunge into the
sea with a crash and bang that would shake
and strain ship to her centre. On raising
| her forefoot from her watery bath the bowsprit,
enveloped with the gear, would risi5ly bend
with the jerk. This is the main difference be-
tween the ocean steamers of England and
America, and we strongly advise the builders
of England to wake up from their lethargy, half
| composed of prejudice. l tell them again
plainly (however unpleasant to myself that
| there are no ocean steamers in England COM
parable with the Baltic.
1t is the fashion in England, amongst Ger.
tain class, unhappily too numerous, to shake
their noddles when these steamers are men
toned. "Oh," say they, these steamers are
all to pieces; they will be done up in short
time; they won'tpay." beg to disabuse their
minds-the minds Of all persons in England
who have not had such an opportunity as mine
to judge for themselves. These steamers are
as good and as strong as ever; they are as
well officered and manned as any ships afoat
| they treat their passengers with as much, or
more, civiity and attention than any other
line; and, finally, their food and wine, and all
arrangements of the table, lat least in the
Baltic are as good as any person can require,
even if spoiled by the Sybarite luxuries of the
great metropolitan cities of the world.
The last days steaming of this beautiful yes
sci was the absolute poetry of motion. At
o'clock, p. M, she was off the western extrem-
ity Of Ireland, exactly three hundred miles from
the light vessel, at the entrance of Liverpool
harbor. The weather was beautiful a light
breeze from the northeast just sufficient to
ruffle slightly the glass-like surface of the wa
ter. Onward she rushed with headong speed,
| her ponderous engines revolving at the rate of
| nineteen revolutions minute. So clear and
beautiful was her shane, that she appeared to
| glide through the water leaving hardly ripple
behind. Numerous steam vessels, likewise
running up the Irish channel, were passed as
if at anchor, and, in 223 hours from making
the land on the previous afternoon, she had
| achieved the three hundred miles that separa.
| ted her from her home.
Reader, this is wonderful performance, and
what fear cannot be rivalled by any English
vessel at present. The whole thing is obvious
to the meanest understanding, and may clearly
| be traced to the unequalled beauty of the model
The English engines are allowed by the Amer
leans to be superior. Why, therefore, should
we allow Brother Jonathan to beat us on our
own element? The reason is plain enough,
and potent to the whole world; and is summed
up briefly in one sentence: The British model
is. far inferior to the american. say this in
sorrow, and jealousy and investigate calmly
and dispassionately this momentous question.
When once enquiry is thoroughly aroused in
England, do not fear the result. If how
ever obstinacy and pride are allowed to blind
our shipbuilders they will richly merit the fate
that will inevitably befall them-namely, to be
soundly beaten by American naval architec-
ture.
We arrived at Liverpool in ten days and
half from New York, during which time the
engines were never stopped, and not the slight.
est accident happened.